Abstract

SecureAid is a pioneering project that merges advanced cybersecurity with humanitarian aid volunteering to establish a Quality Label certification platform. The objective is to empower humanitarian aid organizations with a secure, reliable digital environment that meets rigorous quality criteria for volunteer operations. As the digital transformation of humanitarian efforts continues, vulnerabilities in data handling, volunteer communication, and operation management have become critical challenges. SecureAid addresses these challenges by integrating Xygeni’s innovative security solutions into every phase of the volunteer management lifecycle. The project will develop a customized digital platform that unifies volunteer recruitment, training, assignment and follow‑up processes with security controls, ensuring effective risk management and compliance with European standards. By embedding continuous security posture assessment, vulnerability remediation and secure coding practices, the platform facilitates the safe mobilization of human solidarity efforts in crisis situations.

The project is structured around five interrelated work packages. WP1 establishes a robust project management and coordination framework led by Xygeni, ensuring sustained communication and effective governance. WP2 performs an in-depth analysis of humanitarian aid volunteering requirements and quality label standards, setting the stage for the platform’s security and operational benchmarks. WP3 focuses on the design and development of the digital platform, where Xygeni’s integrated solution combines code security, open source security, CI/CD security and infrastructure safety to secure critical volunteer data flows. WP4 is dedicated to training, capacity building and volunteer engagement, equipping humanitarian organizations and participants with the knowledge to operate securely and efficiently within the new platform. Finally, WP5 concentrates on quality monitoring, evaluation and impact communication, establishing continuous performance indicators and feedback loops to guarantee that the digital platform meets both security and humanitarian quality benchmarks.

SecureAid fosters collaboration among diverse European partners, ensuring that technical innovation, operational excellence and humanitarian impact are aligned. The platform will not only provide the necessary digital safeguards but also serve as a model for integrating advanced cybersecurity practices into humanitarian aid, paving the way for a resilient and trusted volunteer ecosystem in Europe. This comprehensive approach contributes to higher quality humanitarian aid, enhanced volunteer safety, and greater accountability across aid operations.