Web3 DAO Grant Programs - A Race To Oblivion?

Summary

In 2021 I participated in a web3 community project called Eden, sponsored by the EOS blockchain Foundation. 

In time I rose through the ranks of reputation to be appointed as Chief Delegate, to represent the needs and interests of the community as a whole. 

The oneupmanship and ‘politics’ within the community made it largely dysfunctional to its intended purpose, but it was a very eye opening experience none the less. 

It was initiated as 'an experiment' after all.. and it ran its course over 5 years following a $4 Billion token sale by the EOS community. 

Several hundred thousand dollars was allocated to 'Eden'. A decentralized community governed by electing new delegates every 3 months. 

Background to Eden

Community Values

Here is a Community Position Paper that I produced after conducting a series of 4 workshops to curate the interests, values, and hopes of Eden’s members. 

Below is a value proposition for Eden

What is Eden?

Eden brings a new generation of community builders and influencers — helping re-shape how communities and organizations of any kind are governed. 

The Eden process can be learned quickly, applied to any community, govern any group of any size, or launch a new organization of any kind.

The Eden process can be learned quickly, applied to any community, govern any group of any size, or launch a new organization of any kind.

How Eden Works: 

1. Eden members meet on zoom calls and in-real-life to present and review proposals for change. 
2. Members elect the best ideas and appoint delegate representatives who advance into roles of responsibility with decision making power and financial budgets. 
3. Results are shared. Change is made. We then rinse and repeat as community membership grows and new opportunities appear. 

Why Start Or Join An Eden Community?

Eden membership lets you develop your power of influence and create impact in communities and for causes you care about. 

Today, we have one Eden community called EdenOnEOS. This is the grass roots Eden community from which you can learn the Eden process and then advance to launch and guide your own Eden Community. 

Problems in Eden

This Evaporating Cloud demonstrates the common objective despite a rift within the community between two approaches to strategy. 

Here lays out the various undesirable issues within the community at time of this research. 

Here is an inter-connected list of 'undesirable issues' at the time of research within the Eden community. 

Here is a Future Reality Tree of how the community ideally wanted things to be. 

Overall, Eden proved that without strongly and carefully aligned core values and interests, the business of a community can lead to mutual self-destruction by gradually squandering community treasury. 

The Community Position Paper is excellent though.