Periodic Reporting for period 2 - TRUST (digital TuRn in EUrope: Strengthening relational reliance through Technology)
Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2025-08-31
Leveraging on a highly interdisciplinary and intersectoral perspective, our consortium has promoted the understanding of the role of trust in the implementation of digital technologies. We intended to provide indications on how to secure “trust” in terms of requirements of the legal framework, technical applications, and economic/business conditions. Four research objectives drove our joint work: to define a proper legal framework, as well as to shape and raise relational trust in the age of BCT (RO1); to define open standards, following a multi-stakeholder, collaborative and consensus-driven process, stimulating the transition to novel approaches based on BCT and AI (RO2); to analyse procedures and modes to make concrete use of BCT in the business domain while increase relational trust (RO3); to analyse the possible use of BCT to tackle specific challenges in the governance and management of cities (RO4). Indeed, TRUST Consortium has been committed also to improving the quality of the European Research Area by: (a) enhancing scientific knowledge and research skills of participants; (b) boosting staff transversal skills and career prospects of participants; (c) building lasting knowledge and cooperation networks.
The work carried out to achieve the specific and general objectives covered research and mobility activity (WP2 to 5), as well as training, knowledge sharing, networking, dissemination & communication (WP6 and WP7), and ethical requirements (WP8).
All deliverables and Milestones were completed on schedule and in line with Annex I.
By the end of the project, over 90% of all planned secondments had been successfully implemented, involving ESRs, ERs, management and technical staff from all partners, including exchanges with China. A limited number of deviations occurred in the mobility flow during the four years, but these were minor and did not affect the timely delivery of outputs or the achievement of objectives. The main challenges—linked in the first two years to the covid-19 pandemic and, in the later period, to geopolitical instability affecting partner countries (notably Ukraine, Israel, and China)—were resolved through amendments.
Secondments to the SMEs involved in the project (in France, Spain, Belgium, and Italy) were effective for knowledge exchange. Although the Israeli SME contributed actively, it could not host secondments after the conflict began. Interdisciplinary work of ESRs and ERs with SMEs enabled academic partners to gain valuable insights into BCT use in firms and city governance, as well as technological advances in AI. Conversely, the SMEs benefited from fresh intellectual input, particularly in the legal and economic fields, gaining an international perspective on BCT applications.
The status of all WPs is outlined below. In each case, the work carried out was consistent with Annex 1, and all expected outputs were delivered. No specific risks or ethical issues emerged.
Within WP1, UNIMC coordinated and monitored the overall implementation of all activities.
WP2 investigated the relationship between law and DLT from the perspective of trust. Mobility, scientific, and dissemination activities were highly satisfactory. It generated scientific papers, and a policy brief addressing the challenges posed to contemporary legal systems by the digital revolution.
WP3 explored the potential of BCT to strengthen trust in AI and ensure interoperability. The work was fully coherent with Annex 1 and its results led to numerous scientific papers and presentations at internationally recognised events.
WP4 investigated the effect of the transition from a regulated, centrally managed B2B economy to a decentralised distributed P2P blockchain economy. These activities had a significant scientific impact, advancing knowledge in the field and fostering strong engagement with the research and innovation community.
WP5 focused on smart and trust-based cities, assessing how technologies such as BCT can enhance inclusiveness, citizen participation, social welfare, equality, and efficient use of public resources. WP5 generated several exploitable results, scientific papers, and a policy brief on BCT for Energy Applications.
WP6 coordinated and monitored the knowledge-sharing program, implementing specific tools and activities to foster interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral training and knowledge transfer. All activities were completed on time with collaboration of all partners. WP6 effectively enhanced the impact of intersectoral, interdisciplinary, and international cooperation, fostering stronger synergies across partners, which led to the submission of new project proposals as follow-up initiatives to the TRUST project.
WP7 ensured effective communication, public engagement, and exploitation. Project results and activities were disseminated through multiple channels: presentations at international events (including Expo 2020 Dubai and the upcoming Expo 2025 Osaka at the Italian Pavilion), social media, stakeholder meetings, mobility activities, press, and publications. More than 70,000 people were reached across Europe, China, and Israel. All deliverables were submitted on time.
All deliverables and Milestones were completed on schedule and in line with Annex I.
By the end of the project, over 90% of all planned secondments had been successfully implemented, involving ESRs, ERs, management and technical staff from all partners, including exchanges with China. A limited number of deviations occurred in the mobility flow during the four years, but these were minor and did not affect the timely delivery of outputs or the achievement of objectives. The main challenges—linked in the first two years to the covid-19 pandemic and, in the later period, to geopolitical instability affecting partner countries (notably Ukraine, Israel, and China)—were resolved through amendments.
Secondments to the SMEs involved in the project (in France, Spain, Belgium, and Italy) were effective for knowledge exchange. Although the Israeli SME contributed actively, it could not host secondments after the conflict began. Interdisciplinary work of ESRs and ERs with SMEs enabled academic partners to gain valuable insights into BCT use in firms and city governance, as well as technological advances in AI. Conversely, the SMEs benefited from fresh intellectual input, particularly in the legal and economic fields, gaining an international perspective on BCT applications.
The status of all WPs is outlined below. In each case, the work carried out was consistent with Annex 1, and all expected outputs were delivered. No specific risks or ethical issues emerged.
Within WP1, UNIMC coordinated and monitored the overall implementation of all activities.
WP2 investigated the relationship between law and DLT from the perspective of trust. Mobility, scientific, and dissemination activities were highly satisfactory. It generated scientific papers, and a policy brief addressing the challenges posed to contemporary legal systems by the digital revolution.
WP3 explored the potential of BCT to strengthen trust in AI and ensure interoperability. The work was fully coherent with Annex 1 and its results led to numerous scientific papers and presentations at internationally recognised events.
WP4 investigated the effect of the transition from a regulated, centrally managed B2B economy to a decentralised distributed P2P blockchain economy. These activities had a significant scientific impact, advancing knowledge in the field and fostering strong engagement with the research and innovation community.
WP5 focused on smart and trust-based cities, assessing how technologies such as BCT can enhance inclusiveness, citizen participation, social welfare, equality, and efficient use of public resources. WP5 generated several exploitable results, scientific papers, and a policy brief on BCT for Energy Applications.
WP6 coordinated and monitored the knowledge-sharing program, implementing specific tools and activities to foster interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral training and knowledge transfer. All activities were completed on time with collaboration of all partners. WP6 effectively enhanced the impact of intersectoral, interdisciplinary, and international cooperation, fostering stronger synergies across partners, which led to the submission of new project proposals as follow-up initiatives to the TRUST project.
WP7 ensured effective communication, public engagement, and exploitation. Project results and activities were disseminated through multiple channels: presentations at international events (including Expo 2020 Dubai and the upcoming Expo 2025 Osaka at the Italian Pavilion), social media, stakeholder meetings, mobility activities, press, and publications. More than 70,000 people were reached across Europe, China, and Israel. All deliverables were submitted on time.
The project has delivered impacts fully consistent with those expected in the Description of Action (DoA).
It strengthened the potential of individual researchers, providing new skills and career perspectives through geographical, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary mobility. Secondments and dedicated training (seminars, winter schools) enhanced scientific, business, and personal competences, resulting in high scientific productivity and publications in top-tier journals.
It also fostered new and lasting research collaborations. Knowledge transfer was constant through secondments, internal meetings, and joint dissemination activities. These synergies led to the submission of several new project proposals, including a successful Twinning, a RIA (under review), and a new Staff Exchange proposal involving six TRUST partners, designed as a direct follow-up to the project.
The communication and outreach strategy maximised visibility and awareness among policymakers, firms, and public administrators regarding safe peer-to-peer transitions and intersectoral cooperation, positioning TRUST as a reference for future EU initiatives.
The project also supported the implementation of blockchain technologies (BCT) across industries and cities—particularly in the agri-food and energy sectors—by engaging firms, associations, and local governments. SMEs played a central role, co-designing research, hosting over 75 secondments, and enhancing R&D capacities and innovation potential. Networking activities, including events at Expo Osaka 2025, generated valuable international partnerships.
Finally, TRUST contributed to European policy objectives, issuing 21 multilingual policy briefs, supporting evidence-based policymaking. It also advanced innovation capacity, competitiveness, and sustainability, demonstrating how BCT and AI can foster digital transformation, market efficiency, and climate-conscious business models.
It strengthened the potential of individual researchers, providing new skills and career perspectives through geographical, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary mobility. Secondments and dedicated training (seminars, winter schools) enhanced scientific, business, and personal competences, resulting in high scientific productivity and publications in top-tier journals.
It also fostered new and lasting research collaborations. Knowledge transfer was constant through secondments, internal meetings, and joint dissemination activities. These synergies led to the submission of several new project proposals, including a successful Twinning, a RIA (under review), and a new Staff Exchange proposal involving six TRUST partners, designed as a direct follow-up to the project.
The communication and outreach strategy maximised visibility and awareness among policymakers, firms, and public administrators regarding safe peer-to-peer transitions and intersectoral cooperation, positioning TRUST as a reference for future EU initiatives.
The project also supported the implementation of blockchain technologies (BCT) across industries and cities—particularly in the agri-food and energy sectors—by engaging firms, associations, and local governments. SMEs played a central role, co-designing research, hosting over 75 secondments, and enhancing R&D capacities and innovation potential. Networking activities, including events at Expo Osaka 2025, generated valuable international partnerships.
Finally, TRUST contributed to European policy objectives, issuing 21 multilingual policy briefs, supporting evidence-based policymaking. It also advanced innovation capacity, competitiveness, and sustainability, demonstrating how BCT and AI can foster digital transformation, market efficiency, and climate-conscious business models.