Blockchain for International Development and Humanitarian Use Cases – Lessons from the Frontier Technologies Hub and beyond

Want to contribute to the UK Civil Service’s most innovative programme?

The Frontier Technologies Hub works with the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) at the intersection of tech, innovation, and international development. We work across three main areas:
Livestreaming explores the use of frontier technologies by working with partners all over the world to test and scale tech with the potential for positive social impact.

Futures️ connects FCDO people with one another and the world of tech, equipping them to apply frontier technologies in their programmes.

Hub Research gathers & shares what we learn and dives deeper into areas where tech has the greatest potential for doing good.
The Frontier Technologies Hub is managed by three partners: Results for Development (R4D), DT Global (formerly IMC Worldwide), and Brink. It’s️ funded by UK Aid from the UK Government. To find out more about the programme and its goals, visit our website.

The opportunity

The Frontier Technologies Hub (FT Hub) has a growing body of evidence from pilots that have attempted to use blockchain for impact for international development and humanitarian use cases.
In some instances blockchain solutions have been scaled for impact, and in others implementing teams have pivoted away from using blockchain in favour of other technical solutions.

The FT Hub is looking to surface learning and evidence on where blockchain has -and has️n’t – delivered impact within international development and humanitarian settings, specifically exploring the following questions:

• What evidence exists around the value-add of blockchain based solutions for international development and humanitarian use cases?
• What pre-conditions and/or approaches should practitioners be aware of in order to effectively test and scale blockchain solutions, and deliver value?

We believe there is an opportunity to build on the evidence from within the FT Hub portfolio, while also looking at other efforts to test and scale blockchain solutions from elsewhere within FCDO and the wider sector. Given the broad scope of the International Development and Humanitarian sectors, and the wide ranging ways blockchain has been implemented, we propose that this work focuses on what has been proven and learned to date, in relation to a handful of cross-cutting and specific use cases, that relate to our Portfolio of pilots.
FT Hub Livestreaming Blockchain Portfolio:

• Blockchain Technology for the Humanitarian Supply Chain
• Tracking UKAid Payments on the Blockchain
• Blockchain certified digital payments for miners
• High Tech Solutions for supply chain and distribution
• A blockchain-enhanced platform to support the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela
• De-duplicating aid to enhance the impact of humanitarian assistance
• Improving land ownership records using blockchain technology

The scope of work

The FT Hub is interested in engaging a partner to surface what has been evidenced to date by blockchain initiatives in international development and humanitarian contexts.
As these are wide ranging sectors, the chosen partner should focus their efforts on what has been proven in the context of a small number of specific use cases found across humanitarian and international development contexts. In particular we would like the partner to focus on blockchain initiatives aimed at:
● Increasing supply chain transparency
● Increasing the transparency, efficiency and effectiveness of aid spending.
● Improving land ownership records and securing land rights
● And a further 1-2 use cases of their choosing.

We anticipate that the partner will surface evidence in relation to:

• The proven value-add of blockchain – relative to each of the use-cases under study.

This includes the evidenced value-add of blockchain relative to the particular arguments made for blockchain over other technologies, at the start of projects – such as blockchain as a solution for increasing accountability, transparency, enabling a single source of truth, bringing verifiability and immutability to transactions, providing security and privacy, or enabling decentralisation of decision making and power.

• The value-add of using blockchain in combination with other technologies.
• Pre-conditions for effective use of blockchain.
• Enablers and barriers for implementation of blockchain solutions

Based on the evidence of successful applications of blockchain, the FT Hub is also interested in hearing where there is greatest potential to adapt and/or scale solutions for further impact.
The anticipated output for this work is a report that will be accessible and relevant to FCDO technical portfolio holders, other individuals involved in working on tech-driven programmes and projects from across the international development and humanitarian sectors, including programme managers, policy makers and technologists. The report should share recommendations for those seeking to implement blockchain in their work.
The report must share findings from the FT Hub Livestreaming portfolio, as well as wider projects and programmes – including other FCDO work, and other high-profile blockchain initiatives in the international development and humanitarian sectors more broadly.
Alongside a report, the outputs for this work include a dissemination event to share findings from the report and convene stakeholders for discussion of these findings.
Delivering the work and methodology
This work aims to better understand the proven value-add of blockchain across use cases, as well as️ what’s️ needed to effectively tes️t and s️cale blockchain solutions in international development and humanitarian settings.
We welcome perspectives that look at individual use cases and contexts on their own merits, while identifying common learning and trends.
To this end, we are looking for proposals that demonstrate an approach that is:

• Consultative: drawing on a range of expert opinion, this could include implementers, donors, development agencies, governments, academics, and wider ecosystem actors.
• Collaborative: working with global stakeholders and advisors in the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and on the Frontier Technologies Hub.
• Value-adding: is seeking to generate evidence that adds to existing literature, and avoids sharing theoretical information on the promise and potential of blockchain. We also value an approach which produces evidence and insights that can be practically useful to any innovators, programmes or practitioners seeking to implement blockchain solutions.

This is an exciting opportunity to help FCDO surface learning on blockchain, and shape their agenda on how best to support blockchain in order to deliver wider policy and programmatic objectives.

Specifically, we anticipate that the proposed methodology will include:

• A review of existing literature and evidence – including outputs from the Frontier Technologies Hub, as well as reports form other blockchain projects relevant for the use cases explored in the report. This could include literature sharing evidence from initiatives in international and humanitarian contexts, as well as (potentially) literature from similar initiatives in other sectors.
• Consultations with experts
• A deep look at the seven (7) FT Hub Livestreaming pilots outlined above – including Key Informant Interviews with innovators / pilot teams and FT Hub / FCDO staff engaged on pilots.
• A deep analysis of (at least) a further 5 (five) projects / case studies globally, that have sought to implement blockchain for impact – supported through desk-based research and, where possible, Key Informant Interviews with those who have implemented these projects.
• Analysis of findings from other FCDO blockchain investments.
• The production of a report to share findings (please note support with the final production / graphic design of the report will be provided by the Frontier Tech Hub).
• A dissemination event, to share the findings from the report. (Please note that logistical support including inviting participants, event promotion, etc. will be provided by the Frontier Tech Hub)

Application Instructions

Please submit the following materials to [email protected] (with “FT Blockchain Deep Dive” in the subject line):

● No more than eight pages including:

• A description of how you would approach the scope of work including how you plan to work with FCDO and the FT Hub
• A high level workplan indicating proposed activities and timeline
• Proposed deliverables – including a suggested structure and format for the final report and a suggested event outline
• Profiles of the team members who would work on the study and details about their proposed roles.
• A financial proposal for the project, including a breakdown of personnel inputs (names, fee rates and number of days) and expenses (see Appendix 4).

Proposed Timeline for Application and Selection

• Application deadline – 28 Nov @23:59 UK time
• Assessment of written applications – w/c 28 Nov
• 1-hour interview with FT Team (15-minute presentation by candidates, followed by Q&A) – w/c5 Dec – for shortlisted applications only

Proposed Timeline for Delivery

• Kick off / work commencing – Dec 15th 2022
• Advanced draft report – completed by 17th March 2022
• Finalised report and dissemination event outline incorporating feedback from the FT Hub by 31st March 2023
• Dissemination event – April or May 2023

Budget

The funding amount available for the contract is up to £40,000 GBP. Bids above the maximum amount will not be considered.

Evaluation Criteria

Criterion Points

40

Strength of proposed vision, approach and methodology in responding to the scope of work. We will evaluate proposals on the following criteria:

1. Consultative: Strength of the propos️al’s️ inclus️ion of relevant actors needed to deliver against the scope of work.
2. Collaborative: The extent to which your proposal incorporates collaboration with the FT Hub and FCDO, and draws on FT Hub pilots and their evidence.
3. Value adding: The extent to which your proposal demonstrates an understanding of relevant existing literature and has a clear vision for where the report can add value, create new knowledge and insight.

40

Demonstrated technical expertise in producing robust research and evidence, particularly in relation to tech for development / humanitarian, and (ideally) blockchain specific expertise. As demonstrated in profiles of team members. This includes:

1. Expertise in research methods
2. Previous experience producing research relevant to technology for development/humanitarian. Ideally including specific experience / expertise on Blockchain related research or implementation projects.
3. Expertise in convening stakeholders (preferably non-technical ecosystem actors, e.g. policymakers) and disseminating evidence and learning.

Strength of the commercial proposal 20

1. Value for money: We will prefer proposals which offer an ambitious, but realistic use of the funds.

Maximum Point Available 100