Bhutan's First International Hackathon Yields 13 Decentralized ID Solutions

In a groundbreaking initiative, Bhutan recently hosted its inaugural international hackathon focused on decentralized identity solutions, which took place from June 25 to 27 in Paro. Organized by GovTech Bhutan, the event drew participation from local and international developers, culminating in the development of 13 innovative applications aimed at enhancing public service delivery through the country's National Digital Identity (NDI) system.

The hackathon's primary requirement was for all solutions to leverage the Bhutan NDI or other decentralized technologies such as blockchain, zero-knowledge proofs, and self-sovereign identity (SSI). According to a statement from GovTech Bhutan, this initiative emphasizes Bhutan's commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology in public governance. The event was supported by the Ethereum Foundation, a non-profit organization that fosters the growth of the Ethereum blockchain, which further highlights the international collaboration in this endeavor.

Among the 70 participants, three teams hailed from outside Bhutan. The hackathon culminated in two winning teams, both of which received funding support of BTN$250,000 (approximately S$3,819) from the Ethereum Foundation to refine their minimum viable products (MVPs). The solutions were evaluated by an expert panel on criteria including innovation, usability, and real-world impact.

The local team Cyberchain developed an application designed to connect Bhutanese artisans with potential buyers, while the international team DeepGov created an AI-powered survey app intended for gathering anonymous citizen feedback to enhance civic engagement in policymaking. Both teams will also receive priority support for further development at the TechPark Incubation Centre in Thimphu, as reported by Bhutan's national television broadcaster, BBS.

GovTech Bhutan has underscored the importance of mentorship during the hackathon, with seven professional mentors providing guidance to the teams. These mentors included four international experts from the United States and India, alongside three local mentors who brought significant insights regarding the Bhutan NDI and local context.

The hackathon builds on the success of a previous local National Tech Hackathon organized by GovTech in March 2022, which allowed winning teams from that event to participate in this international platform. Aya Miyaguchi, President of the Ethereum Foundation, stated that the event aimed to help Bhutanese developers connect with global networks and opportunities in the decentralized identities sector.

In a move toward transparency and collaboration, GovTech Bhutan announced that all code developed during the hackathon will be made open-source and accessible via a GitHub repository. The agency plans to license the solutions under permissive licenses such as MIT or Apache 2.0, allowing other developers to use, modify, and distribute the software freely. This initiative not only enhances Bhutan’s digital innovation landscape but also positions the country as a contributor to global discussions within the digital ID and blockchain communities.

Furthermore, GovTech Bhutan is planning to expand the use cases of Bhutan NDI by integrating 15 additional government services, building upon the 13 services available as of February 2023. This ambitious goal indicates a robust commitment to enhancing public sector capabilities through technology and promoting greater civic participation.

The hackathon is seen as a significant step towards fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration in Bhutan, establishing a foundation for future developments in digital governance and public service delivery. As the solutions from this event are showcased globally, Bhutan may emerge as a pioneer in the implementation of decentralized identity technologies within government frameworks.