Skendy is an AI-powered solution developed during the Second Round of Open Calls for the cities of Amsterdam and Prague, aimed at addressing the administrative challenges often faced by immigrants and refugees. The solution adapts an existing technological platform to meet the specific needs of these groups. Skendy simplifies bureaucratic processes by translating, organizing, and setting reminders for important documents, such as government letters and utility bills.
Skendy was designed to improve support for immigrants and refugees through a user-friendly mobile app. A demo version tailored for refugees was developed in collaboration with refugee representatives to ensure the platform effectively met their specific needs. Key developments include a redesigned user interface and the integration of an AI-powered chatbot, which serves as the app’s central feature. The chatbot provides personalized assistance and access to a comprehensive knowledge base, specifically for users in Amsterdam and Prague.
Co-Creation in Action
The piloting phase included an event in Prague that played a crucial role in testing and refining the solution, based on feedback from expat participants. This pilot involved over 40 hours of co-creation sessions with expats, refugees, stakeholders like IAMSTERDAM, students, and local communities in both Amsterdam and Prague. The objective was to identify and address the unique challenges faced by these groups with practical, user-centric solutions.
Impact and Next Steps
The pilot yielded positive results, including strong community engagement, a user-friendly interface, and the successful integration of an AI assistant. It also led to the recruitment of new talent to support growth. Next steps include refining the app based on feedback, continuing service improvements, and expanding Skendy globally to other cities. The solution also supports sustainability by promoting document digitization and recycling, aligning with the Green Deal Initiative.
The CommuniCity pilots from the Third Round of Open Calls are currently running and will continue until May 2025.