Overview

The Blueprint for Blockchain and Social Innovation leads with a basic technical overview of blockchain technology and explores applications to increase security, accountability, and efficiency at every level of social infrastructure. After this exploration of blockchain’s processes and potential uses, the Blueprint provides recommendations for those weighing the potential costs and benefits of a blockchain solution within their organizations. The Blueprint explores some real-world case studies, with examples in industry, foreign assistance, government, and media. Finally, it offers some insights on the future of blockchain. A synopsis of each section is included in this overview; read the sections which strike you as relevant.

Published alongside the blueprint is a Checklist for Deploying a Blockchain-Powered Solution, as well as a glossary of 100 Key Terms for Harnessing Blockchain in Social Impact (an important resource in a landscape where universally accepted definitions are hard to find).

Understanding the Technology

How do blockchain users deal directly with strangers with a high degree of trust? What types of data can be exchanged on a blockchain? How does blockchain maintain both transparency and security? How does blockchain interact with other technology? This technical review helps readers to understand the answers to these foundational questions.

Key Attributes of Blockchain

Blockchain boasts three game-changing attributes that can address the erosion of trust in public institutions: security, accountability, and efficiency. The lines between each of these traits are not rigid—features of blockchain contribute to more than one of these attributes; conversely, a blockchain solution may involve trade-offs. The origins and potential applications of each of these attributes are discussed at length within this report, along with possible challenges that may accompany them.

Solution Design

Blockchain platforms are not ready-made. Organizations wondering whether to implement blockchain-based solutions must first consider some basic prerequisites and anticipate potential inefficiencies. Established alternatives will often serve organizations better than an untested blockchain fix. However, if blockchain remains a promising option after initial evaluations, this blueprint offers guiding questions to direct design processes and identify an optimal solution—whether it relies on blockchain or related technologies. If, after a thorough investigation, blockchain does emerge as the best solution, this blueprint offers design recommendations to help organizations tailor a blockchain platforms to their particular needs and users.

Case Studies

• Aid Provision—Building Blocks: UN World Food Programme
• Land Records—Republic of Georgia
• Supply Chain Management—Walmart
• Energy Management—LO3 Energy and Brooklyn Microgrid
• Financial Inclusion—AgUnity
• Mobile Voting—West Virginia
• Social Investment—Neighborly and City of Berkeley Blockchain Initiative
• Environmental Sustainability—Plastic Bank
• Combating Fake News—Democracy Notary

The Future of Blockchain for Social Impact

Those considering blockchain systems as well as those who have already adopted them should remain abreast of ongoing developments in the blockchain ecosystem. Emerging topics of significance are discussed in this section of the blueprint.