Introducing the Winners of the 1st Open Call
We are thrilled to unveil the beneficiaries of the 1st Open Call round of the NGI Sargasso program, with each innovative project receiving a grant of 100,000 Euros for a nine-month journey starting in October to revolutionize the next generation of the internet and collaborate with U.S. or Canadian partners, tapping into extensive resources and funding to bring their visionary projects to life.
Meet the innovative projects embarking on a journey to transform the next generation of the internet.
GENERAL OPEN CALL
- APSIDE
Locations: Luxembourg, USA
Partners: Compellio SA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
APSIDE aims to enhance interoperability among blockchains by creating a universal "asset profile" standard. This endeavor aligns with the Internet Engineering Task Force's Secure Asset Transfer Protocol, fostering seamless asset transitions and ensuring technology-neutrality across decentralized ecosystems. This collaborative effort between Compellio and MIT is geared towards international standardization, ensuring smooth and efficient asset profiling and interoperability across the blockchain ecosystem.
- DDIP: Decentralized Digital Identity Profile
Locations: Netherlands, Canada
Partners: Sphereon International B.V., Northern Block, Inc.
DDIP is set to streamline the integration of cross-border Verifiable Credentials by tackling significant challenges of interoperability. The project focuses on the promotion and creation of open-source specifications compatible with EUIDW ARF. The ultimate goal of DDIP is to establish a universally adopted automated conformance test suite and a digital platform for documentation, thus catalyzing global consensus on decentralized digital credential mechanisms.
- EvORAN
Locations: Poland, USA
Partners: Warsaw University of Technology, University of Maryland
EvORAN is dedicated to enhancing the security assurance of O-RAN networks, establishing a benchmark of trust for multi-provider O-RAN gear. The project will develop open-source tools for O-RAN product assessment and software ensuring test repeatability. The outcomes of the EvORAN project will significantly contribute to the security assurance and trustworthiness of 5G/6G networks in the O-RAN landscape.
- SBAS: A Secure Underlay for the Internet
Locations: Germany, USA
Partners: Otto-von-Guericke Universitaet Magdeburg, University of Virginia
The SBAS project is tackling the underdeployment of modern secure Internet routing solutions. It aims to provide a secure routing pathway for users, minimizing the Internet's carbon footprint and enhancing data security and privacy. The deployment and evaluation of SBAS across the operational SCION network will offer advancements in security and efficiency for internet routing.
- SNDS: Secure Named Data Sharing
Locations: Greece, USA
Partners: Athens University of Economics and Business, The University of Memphis
SNDS is set to revolutionize Named-Data Networking (NDN) by introducing tailored extensions for enhanced data sharing and security. The project aims to transition from NDN’s existing system, emphasizing content identification, security, and verifiable credentials, leading to a global CDN-inspired infrastructure utilizing NDN.
DIGITAL CREDENTIALS CALL
We are delighted to present the three esteemed winners of the NGI Sargasso Digital Credentials Call, set to commence their pioneering projects in October.
- D3ICA (France, Canada) – “Democratizing Decentralized Digital Identity through Cloud agents” by Kallistech SAS, this initiative takes on the challenge of making digital credentials more inclusive and user-friendly. It presents an innovative concept of cloud agents, ensuring enhanced privacy, security, and interoperability while simplifying digital credentials management. D3ICA is committed to offering a more inclusive, easy-to-use solution that provides greater functionality, such as delegation and advanced rule setting, without compromising the principles of decentralized digital identity.
- EBSI-CAN (Malta, Canada) – Led by The Commonwealth Centre for Connected Learning Foundation, EBSI-CAN embarks on exploring the potential use of the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) in the Canadian educational credentialing context. The initiative promises enhanced control over personal data for Canadian citizens and a stronger emphasis on user-centric credentials and identity. It aims to advance cross-border recognition of digital identities, ensuring compatibility, reliability, and seamless international qualification recognition by employing blockchain-based solutions.
- INTEROP4DID (Austria, Canada) – Implemented by walt.id GmbH, INTEROP4DID focuses on creating an interoperable decentralized identity and wallet infrastructure. It commits to expanding open-source tools, conducting interoperability testing with Canadian digital solutions, and aligning on standards and governance structures. This approach promises to bolster various identity use cases across the EU and Canadian landscapes, ensuring alignment and support for their relevant ID technologies.
Each of these projects reflects the NGI Initiative's commitment to fostering a human-centric Next Generation Internet, focusing on interoperability, standardization, and innovation.
Congratulations to all beneficiaries, and we look forward to witnessing your impact on shaping the future of the internet!
Join Us at the NGI Forum 2023!
The Next Generation Internet (NGI) Forum 2023 is right around the corner, a hybrid event taking place on November 15-16 in Brussels, and we couldn't be more excited about what it holds for the NGI community, policymakers, and innovators. As one of the key initiatives of the NGI community, NGI Sargasso is proud to be part of this transformative event. Not only will we be present at the forum to share updates and knowledge, but we will also be available to answer any questions you may have about our upcoming 2nd call. Here's why you should consider joining us.
At the heart of the NGI Forum 2023 is the concept of Digital Commons, a topic that strongly resonates with the mission of NGI Sargasso. We believe in equitable access to information, promoting innovation, and strengthening digital sovereignty. By joining the forum, you'll get a comprehensive understanding of how NGI Sargasso aligns with these pillars and contributes to the future of the Internet.
The NGI Forum's agenda is a rich tapestry of topics ranging from digital identity and quantum internet to large language models, decentralized social media, and the security of the open source supply chain. If these topics intrigue you, the forum is where you need to be. It’s the ideal platform to learn, engage, and perhaps even influence the conversation.
FEEL the NGI spirit! The forum provides an exceptional chance to rub shoulders with high-profile thought leaders and policymakers. Engage in meaningful dialogues, share your perspectives, and build relationships that could be crucial for your journey in the Internet's transformative movement. And, you get to hear from top innovators that have been through the NGI journey and are now creating meaningful impact across the world!
As we gear up for our 2nd call, participation in the NGI Forum 2023 will give you an unparalleled opportunity to understand what NGI Sargasso aims to achieve. It’s your chance to ask us direct questions, clarify your doubts, and explore avenues for collaboration.
We look forward to your participation and are excited to engage with you at the forum. Together, let's navigate towards the future of the Internet!
READ THE OFFICIAL NGI FORUM 2023 PRESS RELEASE HERE
NGI Sargasso and the #FreeWebSearch Movement: Forging a Transatlantic Vision for the Future of the Internet
In an era when the internet seems bound by the confines of monopolistic control, NGI Sargasso and the #FreeWebSearch initiative emerge as beacons of hope. They echo the original vision of the internet: an open, transparent, and equitable space for knowledge sharing and collaboration. NGI Sargasso promotes transatlantic collaboration in next-generation internet technologies, while #FreeWebSearch calls for the restoration of an open and unbiased web search. Together, these movements represent the aspirations of a global community that values innovation, transparency, and collaboration.
Inspired by the vast expanse of the Sargasso Sea, NGI Sargasso embarks on a mission to empower diverse entities, from innovative startups and SMEs to influential public bodies. Recognizing the immense potential of transatlantic collaborations spanning the EU, USA, and Canada, the initiative aspires to forge an expansive ecosystem, emphasizing knowledge-sharing and capacity-building. Their focal areas encompass trust, data sovereignty, digital identity, internet architecture, and more, with an enticing offer of up to €100,000 in equity-free funding for projects meant to revolutionize the Next Generation Internet Technologies. This not only acts as a catalyst for transformative projects but is complemented by mentorship, networking opportunities, and an unwavering support system, pushing the horizons of the internet's future.
In tandem, the #FreeWebSearch Initiative emerges as a beacon, echoing the internet's foundational principle: freedom and openness. It critically addresses the issues stemming from the opaque algorithms of dominant search engines, spotlighting their inherent biases and gaps in diversity. With the unwavering support of the Open Search Foundation, the movement champions an open web search index, establishing a foundation for a transparent and diversified web search. This shift is paramount for the evolution of large language models and AI technologies rooted in transparency and upholding European values.
Both NGI Sargasso and #FreeWebSearch, while maintaining their unique identities, resonate with a collective dream: an internet ecosystem that's open, transparent, and fueled by collaboration. As these initiatives relentlessly work to uphold these core values, they are not just igniting innovations but shaping a digital landscape that's equitable and inclusive.
As we approach #FreeWebSearch Day on 29 September and the subsequent week of activities until 6 October 2023, let's join hands to propel this transformative journey forward, shaping an internet that is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Want to know more about #FreeWebSearchDay? Head to their website: https://freewebsearch.org/de/