Scientific research
Scientific research
This is how blockchain can create a more transparent environment
This is how blockchain can create a more transparent environment
13 de julio de 2021
By Anna Higueras, head of DLT4EU at Ideas for Change (Original publication in Spanish).
Finishing a project is no easy task, especially when it comes to DLT4EU, the European acceleration programme for blockchain solutions for the common good. In order to close this stage in a big way, we asked several citizens about the use of these technologies in their daily lives. Despite their lack of knowledge about these tools, several people agreed that they would use them if it were simple, and would allow them to bridge the gap between citizens and public institutions. Would that be possible? We answer and analyse these questions in two audiovisual pieces where the community explores the possibilities and benefits of Distributive Logging Technologies -DLT- in their daily lives.
Despite their technical complexity, blockchain-based solutions must be understood from the perspective of their enormous transformative potential. In many cases - also in the case of the DLT4EU project - innovation programmes in the early stages of exploration are often associated with technical complexity and a language that makes them difficult to understand for those who are not involved in their development.
However, explaining the advantages that the spread of the use of blockchain technology can bring to improve the transparency of resources in the public and social sectors, or explaining its usefulness in the traceability of materials and components in manufacturing and distribution processes, can help to bring citizens and institutions closer together. The two videos we have created, one focusing on the potential of solutions in the field of digital citizenship, and the other on developments in the circular economy, aim to show how distributed logging technologies serve as tools to help citizens and advance the public agenda towards a more transparent, sustainable and just future.
56% of citizens do not trust institutions, according to Edelman's latest trust barometer
What if the problem lies in trust, and not in the problems associated with the use of technologies? What if we could know how efficiently resources are distributed and how to justify the impact of the actions of an NGO operating in refugee camps? Is it possible to empower users to enter the electricity market as active subjects and stop being mere consumers? How do we move towards digital sovereignty?
In this first video, we try to explain how the use of blockchain could help us in achieving these challenges through the presence of experts and the interaction with citizens, potential users of the digital citizenship solutions developed.
We consume the resources of 1.6 planets annually to sustain our economy.
How could we ensure that every household has an electronic device in the post-pandemic context? How should we act to reduce the amount of textiles discarded each year? Is it possible to trace and certify the provenance of resources? Can we facilitate the use of and access to integrated public transport and reduce the use of private transport? And how do we empower small producers in developing countries to get fair prices by reducing middlemen?
These and other questions are raised in the course of the second of our videos, which illustrates the critical situation we find ourselves in if linear resource consumption continues, and proposes solutions to reverse it.
A shared legacy with DLT4EU
By putting citizens at the centre, we can learn in any context. Showcasing the potential and benefits of technology used for the common good is one of our pillars. This is why this series of two DLT4EU episodes has been named #FuturosQueMolan, since listening to the perspectives and ideas of all participants puts the focus on the transformative power/change of citizenship.
At the same time, these two audiovisual pieces serve as a legacy of DLT4EU. The project has ended, but its ecosystem is still active. We will follow in detail the progress of the teams in their DLT solutions to contribute to a more transparent, resilient and sustainable society.
Stay tuned, read the final report of the programme and be inspired by our story, learnings and experiences.
By Anna Higueras, head of DLT4EU at Ideas for Change (Original publication in Spanish).
Finishing a project is no easy task, especially when it comes to DLT4EU, the European acceleration programme for blockchain solutions for the common good. In order to close this stage in a big way, we asked several citizens about the use of these technologies in their daily lives. Despite their lack of knowledge about these tools, several people agreed that they would use them if it were simple, and would allow them to bridge the gap between citizens and public institutions. Would that be possible? We answer and analyse these questions in two audiovisual pieces where the community explores the possibilities and benefits of Distributive Logging Technologies -DLT- in their daily lives.
Despite their technical complexity, blockchain-based solutions must be understood from the perspective of their enormous transformative potential. In many cases - also in the case of the DLT4EU project - innovation programmes in the early stages of exploration are often associated with technical complexity and a language that makes them difficult to understand for those who are not involved in their development.
However, explaining the advantages that the spread of the use of blockchain technology can bring to improve the transparency of resources in the public and social sectors, or explaining its usefulness in the traceability of materials and components in manufacturing and distribution processes, can help to bring citizens and institutions closer together. The two videos we have created, one focusing on the potential of solutions in the field of digital citizenship, and the other on developments in the circular economy, aim to show how distributed logging technologies serve as tools to help citizens and advance the public agenda towards a more transparent, sustainable and just future.
56% of citizens do not trust institutions, according to Edelman's latest trust barometer
What if the problem lies in trust, and not in the problems associated with the use of technologies? What if we could know how efficiently resources are distributed and how to justify the impact of the actions of an NGO operating in refugee camps? Is it possible to empower users to enter the electricity market as active subjects and stop being mere consumers? How do we move towards digital sovereignty?
In this first video, we try to explain how the use of blockchain could help us in achieving these challenges through the presence of experts and the interaction with citizens, potential users of the digital citizenship solutions developed.
We consume the resources of 1.6 planets annually to sustain our economy.
How could we ensure that every household has an electronic device in the post-pandemic context? How should we act to reduce the amount of textiles discarded each year? Is it possible to trace and certify the provenance of resources? Can we facilitate the use of and access to integrated public transport and reduce the use of private transport? And how do we empower small producers in developing countries to get fair prices by reducing middlemen?
These and other questions are raised in the course of the second of our videos, which illustrates the critical situation we find ourselves in if linear resource consumption continues, and proposes solutions to reverse it.
A shared legacy with DLT4EU
By putting citizens at the centre, we can learn in any context. Showcasing the potential and benefits of technology used for the common good is one of our pillars. This is why this series of two DLT4EU episodes has been named #FuturosQueMolan, since listening to the perspectives and ideas of all participants puts the focus on the transformative power/change of citizenship.
At the same time, these two audiovisual pieces serve as a legacy of DLT4EU. The project has ended, but its ecosystem is still active. We will follow in detail the progress of the teams in their DLT solutions to contribute to a more transparent, resilient and sustainable society.
Stay tuned, read the final report of the programme and be inspired by our story, learnings and experiences.
