As seasonal GG operators and leads of CeloPG (one of the largest GG round co-funders), @MontyMerlin and I are excited to announce the Domain Operator Success Program — an integrated effort to support, train, and empower Domain & Round Operators for GG24.
This program is designed to ensure operators have the knowledge, tools, and peer-to-peer support they need to run high-quality rounds that create meaningful impact for Gitcoin and the Ethereum ecosystem at large.
The Domain Operator Success Program
Led by Luuk and Monty, in partnership with Gitcoin’s core team, advisors, and community, core components of this program include:
- Domain Preparation → shaping strong proposals & narrowing to ready operators
- Operator Curriculum → standardized workshops, checklists, and resources
- Coaching & Mentorship → 1:1 and small-group support during GG24
- Support Resources → templates, guides, best practices, and peer exchange
- Attestations → trialing operator attestations for experience & quality review
The first iteration of this program is already underway, beginning with supporting the Domain Aggregation phase for GG24 - where we move from ecosystem sensemaking into shaping a clear, fundable set of domains ready for Gitcoin’s ratification.
From Sensemaking → Domain Aggregation
Why a Domain Aggregation Phase?
The sensemaking reports were the first step in surfacing challenges and opportunities. Yet a sensemaking report ≠a ready funding domain. To move from research to action, we need to:
- Identify which proposals have the capacity to execute within GG24 timelines
- Merge overlapping initiatives into well-scoped domains
- Focus on domains that can build real traction with funders and operators
This aggregation phase ensures that GG24 Domains are not only thematically strong, but also operationally viable and fundable.
Mapping Reports to Domains
Over the past weeks, we’ve mapped, reviewed, and cross-referenced the 20+ sensemaking reports submitted to the forum. Building from @Sov’s original From Ecosystem Sensemaking to Domain Proposals post, subsequent discussions like TEMP CHECK – How Many Domains Should GG24 Include?, as well as direct conversations with many authors, funders, and Gitcoin stewards — we now see a clearer picture of which Domains appear ready to move forward.
Built from the insights and sensemakers behind 15 of the top 20 sensemaking reports, five promising Domains are already emerging — each with active teams, early co-funding commitments, and scoped sub-rounds beginning to take shape.
Emerging Domains for GG24 (New)
| Domain | TLDR Purpose / Focus | Sensemaking Reports | Potential Rounds | Potential Leads / Operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1) Ethereum Developer Tooling & Infrastructure | Sustain mission-critical infra and dev tools (compilers, libs, SDKs, testing) that underpin Ethereum but are chronically underfunded. | • GG24: Case for dev tooling• Gitcoin OSS Domain: Developer Tooling & Core Infrastructure | A) Core InfraB) DevX Tools Mix of QF + Deep Funding | Gitcoin Core & Team Tiger (domain mgmt/design) |
| 2) User Sovereignty (Privacy & Identity) | Advance user sovereignty with privacy-preserving infrastructure, security, and identity tools that increase control over data, access, and decisions. | • Privacy-Preserving, Legally-Compliant KYC for Grants and Web3• The case for privacy: GG24 MACI <> Allo Capital | Sub-rounds TBD (candidates: ZK tooling, privacy protocols, formal verification & monitoring, identity + reputation stacks). | TBD |
| 3) Open Data & Analytics (+ Open Intent track) | Fund open standards & data visibility/analytics. Also including support for unified L1-L2 visibility and cross-L2 interoperability. | • Open Data Standards, Infrastructure & Analytics for Ethereum• DeFi Transparency and Decentralization Assessment | A) Data & Interop B) Open Intent & Agents? | Rohith, potentially in collaboration with OIF-aligned teams |
| 4) Public Goods R&D | Fund research and open-source tooling for digital public goods (with interoperability across core primitives as a core focus). | • Metafunding: Fund PGF Mechanisms & Research• Mechanism Builders Domain• Exit-to-Community | A) Mechanism Design for Public Goods B) PG Tooling Development | PG Research: Sejal Rekhan, David Dao)PG Tooling: Paul Glavin, Afolabi Aiyeloja |
| 5) Targeted Development & Adoption | Fund programs with tangible real-world impact and significant user onboarding into Ethereum. | • Ethereum For The World • Ethereum Localism x Regen Coordination• Bioregional Reforestation (Silvi/BioFi inputs)• Open Civic Innovation | A) Solution Development Grantsb B) Local Funding ProgramsC) Bioregional Reforestation | ETH FTW (Luuk Weber, Monty Merlin, Erik Brinde) Local Funding: Monty & Regen Coordination, + Benjamin Life Reforestation: Djimo (Silvi), Jon (CCN), Samantha (BioFi) |
Note: This is not a final list. These are the domains currently emerging from the Domain Aggregation phase, but they remain open for community input. We warmly invite feedback, new ideas, and additional contributions from sensemakers, funders, and operators before the final set of domains is submitted for Gitcoin’s vote.
Next Steps: Domain Proposals
To formally ratify the final set of Domains for GG24, each domain proposal will need to include:
- Clear scope of the Domain (operational plan, governance, tools, timeline, team)
- Concrete co-funding commitments (ideally in a Safe) or a clear deadline for deposits
- A defined ask to Gitcoin (matching pool + support requested)
- Domain budget including operator fee (see Fair Fees thread)
- Potential value back to Gitcoin (fees, co-branding, funder relationships)
Deadline: Please share concrete proposals by Monday, Sept 11th. Sov, Monty, and I will then review and recommend the final set of Domains & budgets for the Gitcoin vote beginning September 12th.
Invitation to Participate
If you are:
- A sensemaking report author ready to evolve your report into a Domain
- An expert or sensemaker who wants to contribute to one of the Domains above
- A potential funder seeking the right coalition to join
- An experienced operator willing to mentor or support
Please comment here or reach out directly. Feedback, ideas, and insights are all welcome.
Together, we can ensure GG24 delivers the strongest possible set of Domains — aligned with ecosystem priorities, strategically fundable, and capable of demonstrating the full potential of Gitcoin’s plural funding model.
