AID:Tech's Blockchain Digital Identity for Equitable Access

AID:Tech provides delivery of digital entitlements including welfare, aid, remittance, donations using end beneficiary’s digital identity. We were the first organisation in the world to to deliver international aid to Syrian Refugees in Lebanon using blockchain technology. Our innovative approach helps our clients achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

There are currently 2.4 billion people in the world without legal identity. Whilst there is progress being made digital identity systems being implemented, there is a lack of services being made available to these people effectively.

For those without identity, many are without access to basic services including social and financial. Whilst existing identity systems are failing to meet current demands or are relying on outdated infrastructure, an obstacle against the effective provision of public, social and financial services. The problem of lack of identification and documentation is exacerbated by the growing trend of urbanisation in the recent decades.

In 2015, the UN published a series of Sustainable Development Goals, with no. 16 championing for sustainable development and access to effective institutions for all by 2030. At the core of AID:Tech’s solution is to make access available through digital delivery of  entitlements.

We believe that digital delivery of entitlement in a transparent and accountable manner is the prerequisite to greater access and sustainable development, on personal and collective levels. With growing consensus in favour of digitalisation of governance, social and public access, AID:Tech aims to make significant impact in delivering change with our client partners.

AID:Tech's impact is to offer integrate social services, aid, welfare etc. where the end user is in control of their data. For instance, we supply our solution to providers  such as local government bodies who distribute social welfare services, where they can easily register and onboard end-users. Intended recipients can register for a digital identity and begin redeeming within minutes. Recipients are able to see exactly what they are entitled to, and how much they are spending. For service providers, they gain full transparency over this supply chain.

Track number of IDs created on database - 10,000 recipients registered with Digital Identity in Jordan

Track rate of redemption via database - 10,000 recipients successfully redeeming their food vouchers & welfare services.

Track last mile expenditure via z readings with merchants - Identify expenditures to understand details of needs and desires

AID:Tech utilises cutting edge technology to tackle a long-entrenched obstacle in social and economic development. AID:Tech was the first company to deliver humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees completely transparently using blockchain technology  in Lebanon in 2015.  

By harnessing Blockchain technology, AID:Tech has built a platform that offers transparency for development banks, implementing bodies and end-users. Whilst providing end-users with identity profile that can further individual economic development, the solution also caters to providers needs by offering technologically enforced transparency and accountability. AID:Tech is running the world's three largest blockchain projects in Jordan (welfare), Serbia (remittances) and the USA (aid).

AID:Tech’s solutions are especially designed to improve user experience in the context of identity and entitlement delivery and management. For end-users, the registration process is accessible and the use of a QR code based identity (mobile devices, smart cards etc) is proven to be reliable. They can easily purchase the goods and services they need using the card by scanning it at points of sale, whilst any losses can be dealt with swiftly with minimal security risks. They also gain substantial insight into their profile, which can be populated with information of their entitlement, income and expenditure.

Using a welfare programme for food distribution in Jordan as example, AID:Tech works directly with the local government department responsible to identify the exact needs to the platform. Once the platform is ready, we onboard the relevant staff members and the public.

Administrators will be able to register end-users via our user-friendly interface, which is similar to using standard registration platforms and databases. Once end-users receive their unique identity QR code, available on mobile devices, or on smart card where there is lower mobile penetration, they can begin to receive their entitlement in question and make the required purchases.

Since inception, AID:Tech has been funded by a number of non-equity grants and angel investment. We are currently in the process of raising our seed round of $2.5mn which we aim to complete by end of 2017.

AID:Tech’s revenue model is two-fold. Whilst we offer our solutions to charities and NGOs for free, fees are borne by project funders. A fee is incurred for every digital identity created on a database, followed by a small percentage transaction fee depending on the record made or transmitted on the network. This revenue model is established with our anticipation that AID:Tech will operate on a low margin, high volume model in the long run.

Risks we manage include such topics as:

1. User Behaviour: We need to ensure we engage with the end user from early on to understand how they will use the technology and illustrate the benefits.

2. Partner buy in: Because we use NGO’s, such as UNDP as our distribution network, we need to ensure we have their buy in at all times

3. Education: Like all new technologies, using blockchain to solve some of the world’s biggest problem requires a new way of doing things for our clients. We mitigate against risk by partnering on each project we roll out.

http://altfinlab.org/blog/serbia-sending-remittances-from-serbian-diaspora-to-the-city-of-nis-beneficiaries

https://www.fastcompany.com/40423714/how-blockchains-could-revolutionize-international-ai

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/22/three-regional-fintech-winners-unveiled-at-citi-tech-for-integrity-challenge-in-dublin.html

To be able to work with SOLVE and its network of experts in fields afar would offer huge opportunities as well as support through mentorship and expert knowledge. Empowerment is integral to AID:Tech’s work, and we wish to work with any organisation who can help make the wide-spread and practical application of solutions such as ours a reality. The key to AID:Tech’s success is working with partners who have the same vision, and are in the position to bring AID:Tech’s technology closer to the ground where the real need is.

AID:Tech’s partners include the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), Saint Vincent de Paul (SvP), UNDP in various countries and DFAT. We are also working with organisations including the Rockefeller Foundation to establish a global standard in legal identity.  

In terms to delivering identity solution to regions in need, there currently isn’t an established na