New America and Tata Trusts release blockchain blueprint to benefit society

U.S. think tank New America’s Blockchain Trust Accelerator (BTA), with support from Tata Trusts—India’s oldest philanthropy, has released a Blueprint for Blockchain and Social Innovation.

Established in 2016, BTA brings together governments, technologists, civil society organizations, and philanthropists to build blockchain pilots that benefit society.

The blueprint provides guidance as to how to harness blockchain technology for the public sector and social impact leaders. The objective is to ensure that the benefits of this technology go beyond high finance and reach individuals to those with the greatest needs.

According to the official release, researchers conducted interviews with more than 50 senior leaders in the fields of innovation, governance, and non-profit management for developing the guide. Throughout the process of conceptualizing, researching and crafting the blueprint, the BTA partnered with the Tata Trusts.

"Technology is least accessible to those who need it the most. The Tata Trusts are committed to open source solutions when it comes to technology. With this blueprint, in partnership with BTA, we hope to be able to democratize blockchain for everyone, and leverage it for the most vulnerable sections of society," said R Pavithra Kumar, Director - Program Design, Tata Trusts.

In particular, the blueprint provides the technology’s technical overview and explores applications that increase security, accountability, and efficiency at every level of social infrastructure. Importantly, it includes a wide range of structural, procedural, and technical questions that would provide better clarity to organizations considering integrating blockchain technology into their operations.

It also includes a number of blockchain projects and initiatives in the Case Studies section including BitFury, LO3 Energy, IBM, Emercoin, Brooklyn Microgrid, and UN World Food Programme (WFP), among others.

“Blockchain technology has the potential to recontour our civic landscape,” said Tomicah Tillemann, the founder of the BTA. “Blockchain can safeguard data, simplify service delivery, provide greater accountability in assessing outcomes for society. Blockchains help build and sustain citizens’ trust in institutions. Harnessed strategically, blockchain technology can do much more than widen profit margins -- it can also improve lives and communities.”