Cybersecurity
SMETarget: Identity Management Provider
If you are an identity provider dealing with centralized data breaches — this project developed decentralized identity management solutions that give users control over their own credentials.
NGI0 Core · Project
Open Source Infrastructure for Decentralized Internet and Secure Data Management
digitalTestedTRL 5
Imagine the internet as a giant city where a few big companies own all the roads and buildings. This effort funds hundreds of small teams to build new, open-source 'side streets' and 'secure vaults' that anyone can use. It's about making the web more like a public park where you own your own key and your data stays with you.
By the numbers
112
projects accepted
300 000
maximum person hours of funded human effort
767
incoming project proposals
39
countries of origin for proposals
The business problem
What needed solving
The current internet architecture is too centralized, creating security vulnerabilities and limiting user control over data. It also lacks energy efficiency and reparability in its hardware layer.
The solution
What was built
A portfolio of 112 open-source and open-hardware projects focusing on decentralized identity, trustworthy data management, and resilient network protocols.
Audience
Who needs this
Privacy-focused app developersDecentralized web (Web3) infrastructure providersOpen-hardware network equipment manufacturersDigital identity service providers
Business applications
Who can put this to work
Cloud Computing
enterpriseTarget: Data Storage Service
If you are a storage provider dealing with rigid, proprietary architectures — this project developed open source and open hardware building blocks that improve network performance and resilience.
Green Tech
mid-sizeTarget: Hardware Manufacturer
If you are a hardware maker dealing with electronic waste — this project developed open hardware solutions that focus on reparability and recyclability to make the internet more energy efficient.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What is the cost or pricing for these solutions?
Based on available project data, the project focuses on free and open source/open hardware solutions, meaning the core building blocks are not sold as proprietary products.
Can these technologies be scaled to an industrial level?
Yes, the program provides orthogonal support services specifically designed to address internet-scale requirements for the 112 accepted projects.
What is the IP and licensing model?
The project explicitly fosters open source and open hardware solutions to ensure the technology remains a public benefit.
How long does it take to implement these tools?
Based on available project data, R&D for these small projects takes significant time and is often spread over a long period.
How do I integrate these tools into my existing system?
The project provides shared technological building blocks and protocols intended to upgrade the existing internet architecture.
Consortium
Who built it
The consortium is lean with 11 partners across 6 countries. It has a strong SME presence (6 SMEs) and an industry ratio of 27%, indicating a focus on agile, small-scale implementation rather than large corporate dominance. The coordination by Stichting NLnet suggests a non-profit, community-driven management style.
How to reach the team
Contact Stichting NLnet regarding the NGI Zero portfolio
Next steps
Talk to the team behind this work.
Contact us to identify which of the 112 funded open-source projects fits your tech stack.
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