Creating a blockchain-enabled document management system for immigrants, ensuring data sovereignty and seamless identity verification across EU, US, and Canada.
Coach Name
Jordi Bosch i Garcia
EU Organization
Hora eV
Members
- Sarra-Maryam Fezzani
- Manuel Knott
- Mengstu Fentaw
CA Organization
Juris Canada
Members
- Karim Fezzani
Project Overview
NG Docu Vault is a blockchain-based document management platform combined with Docu Assist, a multilingual AI-powered assistant. The solution enables migrants and refugees to securely store, manage, and share official documents across borders while maintaining full control over their data.
The platform addresses critical challenges such as lost documentation, fragmented administrative systems, and language barriers, providing a secure, interoperable, and user-friendly system for document exchange between individuals and institutions across the EU and Canada (with potential expansion to the US).
Methods and approaches
User-centred and socially driven design
The project integrates social sciences, legal expertise, and lived user experiences to ensure accessibility and usability for vulnerable populations. Through interviews with refugees, legal professionals, and NGOs, the platform was designed to reduce complexity, improve trust, and address real-world administrative barriers.
Docu Assist, the AI chatbot, plays a key role by providing multilingual guidance and simplifying bureaucratic processes, especially for users with limited digital literacy or language proficiency.
Secure, compliant, and interoperable architecture
The platform combines blockchain technology, decentralized identity, and privacy-preserving mechanisms (e.g., zero-knowledge proofs) to ensure data sovereignty and secure document exchange.
It was developed in compliance with GDPR (EU), PIPEDA (Canada), and aligned with eIDAS standards, ensuring legal interoperability across jurisdictions. The architecture supports scalability, cross-border usage, and integration with institutional systems.
Key Achievements
Developed a fully functional blockchain-based document management platform with secure storage and sharing capabilities.
Successfully deployed Docu Assist AI chatbot in three languages (English, French, German).
- Validated the solution through pilot testing with 50+ users, including refugees and legal professionals.
Achieved compliance with GDPR and PIPEDA, and progressed toward eIDAS alignment.
Delivered a working proof of concept for cross-border document exchange with public entities.
Released the complete open-source codebase with documentation on GitHub.
Impact & Results
Scientific Impact
NG Docu Vault demonstrates how blockchain, self-sovereign identity, and AI can be combined into a practical, user-oriented system. It moves these technologies from theory to real-world application, particularly in sensitive domains like identity and legal documentation.
Societal Impact
The platform directly addresses the needs of migrants and refugees by restoring control over personal documents, reducing dependency on paper-based systems, and overcoming language and administrative barriers. It contributes to improved access to healthcare, employment, and legal protection.
Economic Impact
NG Docu Vault has the potential to streamline administrative workflows for institutions by simplifying document verification and reducing processing time. Its open-source and service-based model creates opportunities for integration in public services, NGOs, and digital identity ecosystems.
EU/CA collaboration
The collaboration between Hora e.V. and Juris Canada successfully combined technical innovation and legal expertise, demonstrating a strong transatlantic partnership. The project lays the foundation for continued collaboration and expansion into additional sectors and regions.
Publications and Open-Source Contributions
- Open-source GitHub repository with full platform code and documentation
- Project documentation, system architecture, and KPI tracking materials
- Public YouTube demo showcasing the platform
- Internal reports and validation materials supporting development and testing
(No formal academic publications were produced during the programme.)
Future directions