The Invisibles Project

Developing Digital Identities for Stateless Refugees

The project is called "The Invisibles" because by establishing identity, previously 'non-existed' individuals become functioning members of soceity through increased access to opportunity.

What We Will Do

The goal is to reconstruct identifying information through a system of data-gathering, data evalutation, and data access that is trusted and secure.

Why Digital Identity

Indentification is a fundamental part to resolve the refugee crisis because refugees without Official Identity Documents are at risk at every stage of migration.

For example:

• During migration
  • Vulnerable to human trafficking
  • Difficulty claiming refugee status
• In the host country
  • Limited protection of individual rights
  • Limited access to services and benefits
  • Inability to document life events
• Returning home
  • Inability to reclaim property and other rights
  • Inability to repatriate

Source: The World Bank Group White Paper, "Identification in the Context of Forced Displacement"

Why We Are Committed

IBO's Invisibles project addresses essential elements of access to justice and rule of law.

"Even government with the most egregious migrant policies... uphold refugee rights as human rights."*

An essential element of human rights is access to justice, and the ability to access opportunities for growth, success, and stability. IBO's Invisibles project addresses these essential elements of access to justice and rule of law.

*Danilo Mandic, "A bold proposal for curbing human trafficking."

Who Will Be Involved

• A refugee population
• Legal advisors
  • IBO
• US Veterans who will moderation the creation of DIDs
  • Vets for American Ideals
• Standards Settings
  • IEEE
• Financial partners
  • CrowdJustice
• Technology
  • MIT Media Lab
  • Sovrin

How We Will Succeed

Three phrases of the project will allow for clear, useful milestones.

1. Training, assessment, design of DID creation
• Creating and Authenticating DIDs
• Use of DIDs
• Protection of DIDs
2. Evalutation, upscaling

Why Should Refugees Trust Us

Simply: we are a bottom-up initiative.

Refugee populations have shown a deep distrust towards governments and formal institutions. If you are a refugee interaction with formal systems, things happen to you, not for you.

Proof of Concept

In Article 26 Backpack developed by a team at the University of California, Davis demonstates DID creation. The team created a tool for refugee mobility and inclusion in the education sector. The Invisibles project will extend this success to a broader, more fundamental aspect of DID.

Source: UC Davis Article 26 Backpack 1.0, 2017

Expansion of the Concept

1. Stage One (Pilot Project): Demonstration that the creation of DIDs is both possible and advantageous
2. Stage Two: Improve format and process to be adaptable to any disadvantaged and unrecognized group.
3. Stage Three: Sharing IBO's experience of helping to bring more than one billion 'invisible' persons into the view of their fellow world citizens.