Distribution of GG #18 Funds via Quadratic Funding

Background:

Earthist DAO has been working diligently for the past two years integrating regenerative practices within the community. Our core team has primarily focused on cultivating hemp—a crop known for its environmental benefits and versatility in product creation—while also raising awareness about regeneration in the bioregion and providing support for farmers in the network. We have also been actively involved in the web3 and ReFi space, contributing to and collaborating with notable regen projects such as Hypercerts, Digital.Gaia, Rebioca, Vanara, ReFiDAO, AtlantisDAO, RegenForge, dMRV Network, Regen Foundation, Bloom Network, GreenPill Network, and more. Our efforts are focused on making a meaningful impact for ReFi and the ecosystem.

Throughout this journey, our dedicated contributors have been working primarily with budget constraints. We are grateful to announce that we have secured funding from Gitcoin Grants Round #18. To ensure a fair and democratic distribution of these funds among our contributors, we propose the following mechanism:

1. Self-Nomination of Contributors: Contributors will be invited to self-nominate for participation in the grant round using the provided DeForm. In the DeForm, contributors can submit their wallet ID, e-mail and a detailed description of their contributions to Earthist Network over the past two years.

2. Eligibility via Community Vote: Once all submissions are collected, they will be made publicly available for review by the entire Earthist Network community. A Telegram vote will be conducted to decide which contributors are eligible to participate in the community grant round. Contributors who receive at least 60% consensus in the vote will be deemed eligible for the grant round.

3. Quadratic Funding Round Options: We have decided to go with the Public Round option for the QF round.

Pros: Encourages broader community engagement and participation. Brings diverse perspectives, potentially leading to a more balanced distribution. The donations coming from the broader community will act as a welcome bonus, adding value and support to the initiative. Cons: Increased risk of external parties trying to influence the distribution without a genuine understanding of contributors' roles. Potential for Sybil attacks or coordinated voting campaigns. However, with Gitcoin, there's the option to use cluster matching to significantly reduce the risk of Sybil attacks.

4. Distribution: Eligible contributors will participate in the community grant round, where they can donate to each other based on their assessment of each other's contributions. With the power of Quadratic Funding, the matching pool will be distributed proportionally to the donations. Contributors who are deemed by the community to have made significant contributions will receive more donations and, consequently, a larger share of the matching pool.

Benefits

The proposed method of fund distribution offers several distinct advantages. Firstly, it ensures transparency, allowing every member of the Earthist Community to witness and understand the distribution process. This transparency is crucial in building trust and confidence among contributors. Secondly, the use of Quadratic Funding guarantees fairness in distribution. By reflecting the perceived value of each contributor's work based on broad community support, it ensures that funds are allocated in a manner that truly represents the community's collective assessment. Lastly, the entire process is designed to foster community engagement and collaboration. By involving members at every step, from nomination to voting, the proposal reinforces the core values and principles of Earthist, emphasizing the importance of collective decision-making and mutual support.

Matching Pool:

The matching pool amount for distribution has been decided as $15000.

Additionally, Earthist's alignment with the Ethereum ecosystem and dedication to regenerative practices qualify us for a 25% enhancement from the Arbitrum Match Pool, advancing our mission and extending our impact.

Important Dates:

Application Submission: 8th - 19th November

QF Round: 15th - 30th November

Application Form:

The grant allocation process we propose is more than just a financial distribution; it's an embodiment of our regenerative ethos, ensuring that every contribution that has helped us grow is recognized and that the value created is equitably shared, reinforcing the regenerative networks that define our community.

We invite all members of Earthist Community to discuss, provide feedback, and vote on this proposal. Together, we can ensure a fair and democratic distribution of funds that rewards the hard work and dedication of our contributors.