[GITCOIN 3.0] Dedicated Domain Allocation should be GG's Core Function

🧙 🧙‍♀️ Ideas and Open Discussion
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IMPORTANT - This is Owocki’s vision for Gitcoin 3.0. Digest it, debate, it fork it, make changes. Nothing is official until ratified by governance!!

TL;DR: Gitcoin’s future hinges on mastering Dedicated Domain Allocation to optimize resource distribution across specialized domains.

Gitcoin Grants WAS Quadratic Funding, now its DDA/multi-mechanism.

Dedicated Domain Allocation Defined:
Dedicated Domain Allocation (DDA) refers to the strategic, intentional distribution of capital and resources within clearly defined areas of expertise or sectors, leveraging tailored mechanisms to optimally support projects, experts, and initiatives that advance domain-specific outcomes.

Historical Context:
Gitcoin began as a pioneer in Quadratic Funding (QF), dedicated primarily to open-source software (OSS) and Ethereum ecosystem public goods. Our success in scaling QF laid critical groundwork for broader impact from GG1-GG23.

Moving forward, however, requires transitioning from a single-mechanism approach to fully embracing multiple mechanisms. To effectively do so, Gitcoin must master Dedicated Domain Allocation - as a router to move capital between .

Mastering Dedicated Domain Allocation:

  1. Sensemaking:
    Effective DDA begins with sensemaking: the ongoing, rigorous analysis of emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges within each domain, and the high level problem domain (Solving Ethereum’s biggest problems). By continually refining our collective understanding, Gitcoin ensures resources align precisely with real-time domain needs.

  2. Domain Definition:
    Clear and accurate domain definition ensures resources are neither overly concentrated nor diluted. Gitcoin’s role includes establishing explicit boundaries, defining scope, and determining measurable outcomes that allow efficient allocation across clearly delineated areas.

  3. Cultivating Relationships with Domain Experts:
    Deep engagement with domain experts is crucial. Gitcoin will actively build relationships with proven thought leaders, practitioners, and innovators to refine domain understanding, ensure relevance, and leverage their expertise for optimal decision-making.

  4. Capital Allocation Within Domains:
    Gitcoin’s final step involves deploying capital effectively within defined domains, using customized mechanisms suited to domain-specific needs. These can range from QF to retroactive funding, direct grants, venture-style investments, or other innovative capital allocation tools.

Weaving together the old and the new:
To fully master this transition, Gitcoin can weave together our existing strengths in Quadratic Funding (QF) and open-source software (OSS) expertise with emerging allocation methodologies.

Conducting a specialized QF/OSS funding round within the OSS domain will serve as both a practical application and a demonstration of how our existing domain knowledge integrates seamlessly with new approaches, enhancing our credibility and reinforcing our leadership in domain allocation.

Conclusion:
By transitioning from QF/OSS (single mechanism) to Dedicated Domain Allocation (fully multi-mechanism), Gitcoin positions itself as the premier capital allocator for solving Ethereum’s biggest problems in an increasingly networked world; a networked complement to the hierarchical Ethereum Foundation.

Mastering DDA ensures our continued relevance and amplifies our impact far beyond open-source funding, empowering diverse communities to achieve transformative outcomes for Ethereum.

Appendix A - GG24 domain allocation visual + schedule

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Timelines

  1. April 2025 - June 2025 - Sensemaking about Ethereums biggest problems
    1. Building a framework for sensemaking to follow in perpetuity
  2. May 2025 - RFPs for software providers issued (Trad rounds, OSS Rounds)
  3. June 2025 - First Domain Announced
  4. July 2025 - Next Domains Announced, RFPs for software providers issued (any more experimental rounds)
  5. September 2025 - Testnet Rounds
  6. October 2025 - GG24

Appendix B - Tools that could run DDA

Well need to make a build vs buy decision here at some point.

  1. Questbook DDA [app]
  2. GrantsShips.Fun
  3. Custom tooling using notion or gdocs
  4. Custom tooling built by someone else.
    1. Possibly open rfp process, possibly find a vendor we like and work with them.

Appendix C - GPT generated reports on DDA best practices

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Is there any way to leverage GG1-GG23 data and merge it with, for example, a clustermap / wordcloud generated from a diverse set of ETH stakeholders to generate a baseline for ETH’s biggest problems?

From there, we could map out which potential DDAs could play the most impactful role in solving these problems.

Finally, I want to note that the Fair Fee model suggested can create a good baseline for pure “distribution of capital” overhead - but to set builders up for success and increase their chances of solving ETH’s (and the world"s) biggest problems, significant support resources will be required.

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With the AI now replacing hoomans, does it make sense to focus on supporting open source folks?

Otherwise we can make highly efficient LLM powered autonomous system, which will optimize itself for whatever goals set. Extracting monies from the network, on enriching it (which is less likely, but still…).

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we are working with some sensemaking apps that do basically that. let me ask if they want to share here.

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say more about what youre thinking here? are you thinking tweaks to the configuration of the fair fee model, or something else?

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Hi. 3 of RnDAO’s units spoke with @owocki and @Mathilda last week about sensemaking. RnDAO identified Sensemaking and Decision Making as 2 major initiatives about 2 years ago. Since then 3 units have emerged. RnDAO

Harmonica by Artem, is a sensemaking tool that is specifically designed for Async AI facilitation. Ideal to generate the "word Cloud generated by ETH stakeholders. Harmonica | AI-powered Facilitation.

SImcore by me, is a noise-free aggregation tool that prioritizes and synthesizes subjective responses. The outputs are a priority list, relationship graph and a Similarity Pairwise Matrix. Here’s a SimScore demo: Gitcoin Demo - Google Sheets

Negation Game by Connor, is a layer for reasoned disagreement, powered by economic incentives…and designed for minds willing to change. Negationgame.com

We believe that these 3 units can offer tremendous value for the sensemaking portion of GitCoin 3.0s efforts to solve Eth’s biggest problems. If fact each, was conceived to solve the problems of sensemaking that DAOs like Gitcoin run into everyday.

We can’t wait to help.

Paul

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The main insight is that the final impact and the ability for a project/person to solve a problem are influenced by more than just the $$ they receive.

In parallel to effective cash distribution, I would love to evaluate, scope, and fund the right support systems (marketing, mentorships, software) to help increase the effectiveness of each $$ spent.

We have some experience with this in the digital context with CeloPG and physical context with Kolektivo Curacao, but in some cases spending 10-20% of total budget on support elements can greatly increase the impact/outcome of initiatives.

Another part that’s critical from my POV is the ability to market a problem (and the solutions) to be able to iterate and expand the resources to solve this problem, also here some insights to share in a digital and physical setting.

Looking forward to more info about the Strategic Sprint and participating there!

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