The main objective of TREVO is to tackle main challenges in electronic voting that are still open, such as voter anonymity, ballot privacy, trusted tally/audit as well as verifiability. It employs blockchain technology and more specifically Decentralised Identities, Verifiable Credentials and state-of-the-art communication protocols and architectures, following the latest EU guidelines and regulations in terms of digital identities and data protection.
Learn more about the latest advancements of this team in the interview below.
Can you briefly present your team?
The TREVO team is led by Konnecta, which is in charge of the development of the TREVO solution, bringing together a diverse expertise in blockchain, cybersecurity, as well as full stack system development. Konnecta is partnering up with e-Trikala in the TREVO project, which represent the Municipality of Trikala’s interests and serve as the end-users of the TREVO solution. This collaboration ensures that TREVO is built with direct insights from its future users, emphasizing practicality and user-centric design in the field of e-voting.
How did you come up with this project idea and what benefits will it bring to the end users?
Inspired by the challenges facing current voting systems, such as security concerns and low voter turnout, TREVO was born out of a desire to bolster faith, accessibility, as well as resource-efficiency in the electoral process. By prioritizing anonymity and integrity, TREVO offers end users a more secure, transparent, and convenient way to vote, with the end goal of increasing participation in democratic processes.
How is TrustChain supporting your growth and what role does it play for the next steps in your development?
TrustChain significantly supports our growth by offering technical, as well as business guidance, while opening up potential collaborations within its ecosystem. Their dedicated coaches provide invaluable advice on overcoming technical challenges and also refining our business model. As we progress with the TREVO app, TrustChain is guiding us through scaling our solution and expanding our reach within the digital democracy ecosystem.
Why did you apply to the TrustChain call and has your vision changed since then?
The appeal of TrustChain for us was its commitment to creating a secure and decentralized internet, a goal that aligns perfectly TREVO’s underlying mission. Joining TrustChain has not changed our vision but rather sharpened it; our experience being a part of its ecosystem has deepened our appreciation for blockchain’s potential in building community engagement and trust in digital platforms, reaffirming our commitment to our core vision while expanding our approach to include these additional benefits.
What is the most valuable takeout from the TrustChain project and why was the topic of the Open Call important to you/your team?
Participating in this Open Call is an important milestone for the TREVO team, as the call’s emphasis on secure and decentralized digital frameworks resonated deeply with our objectives, providing an opportunity to align our e-voting solution with broader EU initiatives for digital integrity and trust. One of the most valuable takeouts from the TREVO implementation so far is the profound understanding of how crucial trust and user-centric design are in digital platforms, especially in the context of e-voting.
Did you establish collaboration with any of the TrustChain teams or plan for any kind of synergies? If yes, what is the biggest potential in such collaborations?
Engagement within the TrustChain ecosystem has opened up avenues for potential collaboration, allowing us to explore how complementary technologies can enhance TREVO’s offering. At the moment, there are ongoing discussions for potential partnerships, which could lead to improvements in the management of decentralized identities in the TREVO solution.
What are your expectations regarding the TrustChain software ecosystem and its contribution to the NGI priority areas?
We believe that the TrustChain ecosystem can play a significant role in advancing NGI priorities, particularly in areas of security, privacy, and user empowerment. The ecosystem’s commitment to these values aligns with our goals, and we anticipate important contributions to and from this community.
What are the next steps for your team?
Our immediate focus is on refining TREVO based on the end-user feedback, expanding our pilot programs, and engaging with stakeholders across the EU to prepare for wider deployments. These efforts are aimed at demonstrating TREVO’s scalability and effectiveness in real-world settings.
What is the message you would give to new and potential applicants to TrustChain Open Calls?
For those considering the TrustChain Open Calls, our advice is to embrace the opportunity to innovate and address pressing digital challenges. The support and community you’ll find here is of substantial values, providing a solid foundation for projects aimed at making a meaningful difference in the digital world.