ID2020 Alliance taps blockchain technology for inaugural pilots

The ID2020 Alliance, a nonprofit public-private partnership committed to improving lives through digital identity, has announced its first two pilot projects.

According to the official release, both the projects will leverage blockchain technology.

The first pilot, led by Alliance partner iRespond and conducted in close partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), will focus on enhancing the process through which refugees access the IRC's services in the Mae La Camp in Thailand. It will offer blockchain-based digital identification, linked to individual users through iris recognition.

“Initially, these digital identities will enable the recipients to access improved, consistent healthcare within the camp through an accurate and secure electronic medical record. In the future, the same system may electronically document both educational attainment and professional skills to aid with employment opportunities,” the release said.

The second pilot project will leverage blockchain technology and biometrically validated digital wallet to facilitate the transfer of liquid propane gas (LPG) subsidies. The objective is to modernize delivery, reduce financial leakage, and enable banking services through financial inclusion. The pilot will be led by Everest working in close partnership with The Indonesian National Team for the Acceleration of Poverty Reduction (TNP2K) in the office of the Vice President of the Government of Indonesia.

The two projects were revealed alongside new Alliance members, which include iRespond, Kiva, Simprints, FHI360, and IDEO.org.

"The conversation this year shifted from the potential to the practical. Today's Summit explored what is required for digital identity to be 'good' and implemented at scale," said Dakota Gruener, Executive Director of ID2020. "We are thrilled to be expanding and strengthening the Alliance's partnerships with innovative organizations – both with new Alliance members and through our pilot programs – as we focus on developing and testing ethical digital identity solutions."