Intra-DRep Voting Framework: Enabling DReps to Align Votes with Delegators' Interests, Transparency and Inclusive Governance

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Adnan Khan

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

4

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We’ll build an open-source Intra-DRep Voting Framework that will act as a seamless plugin for enabling DReps to capture real-time info and feedback from their delegators.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Our project will be open source under the MIT License, ensuring code transparency and community collaboration.

[METADATA] Horizons

Governance

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

In Cardano's governance model, ADA holders can delegate their voting power to Delegate Representatives (DReps), but there’s no direct way for DReps to gauge delegators' preferences on specific proposals. This disconnect could lead to governance decisions that do not reflect the community’s wishes

To address this, we propose the Intra-DRep Voting Framework, an open-source, on-chain solution that integrates seamlessly into DRep-facing dApps, such as wallets and governance platforms. This framework allows DReps to create proposals on-chain and gather real-time voting input from their delegators. By recording votes immutably on the Cardano blockchain, DReps can align their decisions with the preferences of the delegators they represent, enhancing transparency and engagement within the Cardano ecosystem.

How It Works:

• Proposal Creation:
• DReps use the framework to create on-chain governance proposals tied to their unique DRepID. This ensures that votes are immutably recorded and associated with the DRep, providing transparency and accountability.
• Delegator Voting:
• Delegators vote on proposals directly through integrated wallets or governance platforms. The framework records their votes immutably on the Cardano, ensuring secure and verifiable participation.
• Real-Time Results:
• DReps can monitor live voting results, enabling them to track delegators’ preferences as votes are cast. This real-time feedback allows DReps to align their decisions with the community’s input.
• Decision Execution:
• Once the voting period ends, the results are finalized and stored on-chain. DReps can then adjust their final governance decisions based on the aggregated voting data from their delegators.

Integration:

The Intra-DRep Voting Framework is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing DRep-facing platforms, providing a backend solution for on-chain governance. The framework offers flexibility, making it easy for developers to implement the voting mechanism without major infrastructure changes.

• On-Chain Voting Mechanism: DReps create proposals, and delegators' votes are recorded immutably on the Cardano blockchain.
• Delegator Interaction Module: Integrates into wallets and governance platforms to facilitate direct voting.
• Analytics Module: Allows DReps to monitor live voting results, aligning decisions with delegators' input.

Integration Example:

Consider a Cardano wallet that offers DRep governance services. With the Intra-DRep Voting Framework, the wallet can:

• Proposal Notifications: Notify delegators of new governance proposals created by their DRep.
• On-Chain Voting: Enable delegators to vote directly from within the wallet interface, with votes recorded immutably on the Cardano.
• Real-Time Results: Provide real-time updates on voting results, ensuring DReps can make data-driven decisions.

This integration enhances the wallet's governance features by providing a seamless voting experience, improving the transparency and accountability of the decision-making process.

Who Will Benefit?

• DReps:
• DReps can gain valuable real-time insight into their delegators' preferences, enabling more informed governance decisions that reflect community input.
• Delegators:
• Delegators will have a direct voice in governance, ensuring their opinions are heard and that their voting power is used in alignment with their preferences. 
• Cardano Ecosystem:
• By facilitating more transparent and inclusive governance, the framework strengthens Cardano’s overall Governance model, improving engagement and trust within the community.

Proving Impact:

To measure the effectiveness of the Intra-DRep Voting Framework, we will track key metrics:

• Number of Proposals: Measure how many proposals are created using the framework.
• Delegator Participation: Track engagement rates in voting, demonstrating increased involvement in governance.
• Vote Alignment: Analyze the alignment between DReps’ final votes and their delegators’ preferences, showing the framework’s impact on bridging the gap between DReps and delegators.

Why This Is Important to Cardano:

The Intra-DRep Voting Framework fills a critical gap in Cardano’s governance model by allowing DReps to gather direct feedback from their delegators. This promotes a more transparent, accountable, and community-driven governance process, and ensures that DRep decisions reflect the true preferences of their delegators.. By integrating this framework, the Cardano ecosystem can foster deeper engagement and build a more inclusive governance model that aligns with the decentralization principles of the Cardano.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

The Intra-DRep Voting Framework will significantly enhance governance within the Cardano ecosystem by bridging the gap between DReps and delegators. It will empower delegators to have a direct voice in decision-making, ensuring that governance decisions reflect the true preferences of the community. This increased transparency and inclusivity will strengthen trust, drive higher participation, and create a more engaged and accountable governance structure.

How We Will Measure Impact:

We will measure the impact of our project using both quantitative and qualitative metrics:

• Quantitative Metrics:
• Number of Proposals: Tracking the total number of governance proposals created using the framework.
• Delegator Participation Rate: Monitoring the percentage of delegators actively voting on proposals.
• Vote Alignment: Measuring how closely DReps’ final decisions align with their delegators' voting preferences.
• Qualitative Metrics:
• Community Feedback: Gathering feedback from both DReps and delegators to assess the ease of use and effectiveness of the framework.
• Governance Transparency: Evaluating how the framework improves transparency in decision-making through user surveys and platform reviews.

Sharing Outputs & Opportunities:

We will share the outputs and insights from our project through the following channels:

• Open-Source Code: The framework will be released as open-source, allowing developers and the community to adopt and improve the solution.
• Community Reports: We will publish regular reports on the framework's usage, performance metrics, and impact on Cardano’s governance.

By providing these resources, we aim to maximize the framework’s reach and contribute to improving governance across the Cardano ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Our team is composed of experienced Cardano developers and community members with deep knowledge of the Cardano stack. We have collaborated with reputable teams such as IAMX, Nucast, etc. contributing to the development of multiple projects in the ecosystem. This extensive background positions us uniquely to execute this project effectively.

Steps to Ensure Trust and Accountability

1. Proven Track Record: Our team has demonstrated success in designing and executing complex blockchain solutions, ensuring we can deliver a high-quality, effective toolkit for Cardano data analysis.
2. Transparent Fund Management: We will adopt industry best practices for fund management, including transparent financial reporting and milestone-based fund release, ensuring that every allocation aligns with the project's progress and objectives.
3. Community Engagement: Regular updates, community-driven feedback loops, and open discussions on our development progress will be a key part of our strategy to maintain transparency and trust within the Cardano community.
4. Security and Compliance: We will utilize Cardano’s secure infrastructure and follow strict compliance standards to manage funds and ensure all operations are secure, protecting both the community’s trust and investment.

Our commitment to maintaining high standards of trust and accountability, combined with our technical expertise and successful track record, reinforces our ability to deliver DSN efficiently and transparently for the Cardano community.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff

A. Milestone Outputs

Project Initiation Report:

• Analysis of Existing Governance Tools: A thorough evaluation of current on-chain governance platforms and tools within the Cardano ecosystem, focusing on DRep-delegator communication gaps.
• Technical Review: Examination of smart infrastructures and on-chain voting systems to ensure compatibility with Cardano’s governance model.

B. Acceptance Criteria

• Completion of Initiation Report:
• Provides a comprehensive understanding of the gaps in Cardano’s governance model, particularly around DRep-delegator communication.
• Clearly outlines the project’s scope, objectives, and the expected impact of the proposed solution in improving the governance process.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Initiation Report: A finalized and comprehensive document submitted to the project repository.

Milestone 2: Technical Design

A. Milestone Outputs

Technical Feasibility Report:

• Detailed outline of the technical requirements for developing the on-chain Intra-DRep Voting Framework.
• Identification of necessary APIs, data flows, and integration points with Cardano-based wallets and dApps.
• Proposed solutions for any challenges related to scalability, security, and on-chain voting integrity.

High-Level Architectural Design:

• Comprehensive architectural diagram of the voting framework, illustrating smart contract modules, real-time feedback systems, and wallet/dApp interaction components.

B. Acceptance Criteria

Technical Feasibility Confirmation:

• Validation that the framework can technically meet the voting and delegation requirements of the Cardano governance model.
• Clear identification of technical dependencies and mitigation strategies for challenges.

Architectural Design:

• The design must adequately support seamless integration into existing governance tools.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Technical Feasibility Report: A detailed report submitted and reviewed by the technical team, confirming feasibility.
• Architectural Design Document: A finalized architecture document available in the project repository.

Milestone 3: Prototype Development

A. Milestone Outputs

Voting Framework Prototype:

• A functional prototype demonstrating key features of the on-chain voting framework, including:
• Smart contracts for DRep governance proposals.
• Real-time voting results accessible by DReps.

Sandboxed Testing Environment:

• A secure environment configured to test the framework's core features, including real-time voting results and on-chain data integrity.

B. Acceptance Criteria

Successful Prototype Demonstration:

• The prototype showcases essential functionalities, including secure, transparent, and real-time voting by delegators.
• Demonstrates seamless interaction between wallets/dApps and the on-chain voting system.

Stable Sandboxed Testing:

• The sandbox operates reliably, with no major bugs or security vulnerabilities.
• Successfully simulates governance voting scenarios with real-time updates for DReps.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Prototype Documentation: Detailed documentation outlining the prototype’s capabilities, usage instructions, and technical specifications.
• Sandbox Testing Report: Comprehensive records of testing scenarios, outcomes, and security validations within the sandbox environment.

Final Milestone: Mainnet Deployment and Project Close-out

A. Milestone Outputs

Final Project Completion and Closure Report:

• Comprehensive documentation covering all phases of the project, from initiation to mainnet deployment.
• Summary of key achievements, lessons learned, and evaluation of project performance against initial KPIs.

Mainnet Deployment:

• Full deployment of the Intra-DRep Voting Framework on the Cardano mainnet.
• Deployment guidelines and best practices for wallets and dApps to integrate the framework seamlessly.

B. Acceptance Criteria

• Comprehensive Documentation:
• The closure report thoroughly details the project’s technical achievements, strategic insights, and overall impact on Cardano governance.
• Includes an evaluation of project success against predefined KPIs and objectives.
• Mainnet Deployment:
• The framework is fully functional and accessible on the Cardano mainnet, with detailed usage guidelines for developers and DRep-facing platforms.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Final Project Closure Report and Presentation: A detailed report submitted to the project repository, along with a presentation summarizing project outcomes and key achievements.
• Mainnet Deployment Documentation: Developer and user guidelines available in Markdown format on GitHub, ensuring easy access and usability for wallet developers and governance platforms.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Adnan Khan

https://x.com/skepticus_x

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adnan-khan-x/

Adnan has over four years of experience in the Web3 space, working as a product architect for multiple startups. He previously served as a research partner at Levitate Labs, a Web3-focused venture capital firm and accelerator. Adnan holds a degree in Data Science and Machine Learning and was a core contributor to user experience research at Fetcch, a Web3 research venture.

Coherence Labs Ltd

We are a RAK DAO-based blockchain development company headquartered in the UAE, with a team of 11+ developers specializing in web3 and AI solutions. Our team has collaborated with established projects, including Biconomy, 0g, Nillion network, NMKR, IAGON, IAMX and Nucast, contributing to the development of multiple projects across the ecosystem.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Budget Breakdown for the Intra-DRep Voting Tooling Project

Total Budget: 140,000 ADA

The budget is structured to ensure strategic resource allocation across all project stages, focusing on development, community engagement, and project closure.

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff

Total: 25,000 ADA

• Project Manager: 5,000 ADA
• Senior Cardano Developer: 15,000 ADA
• Operational & Research Costs: 5,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Library Technical Design

Total: 45,000 ADA

• Project Manager: 10,000 ADA
• Senior Cardano Developer x 2 : 35,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Technical Prototyping

Total: 55,000 ADA

• Project Manager: 10,000 ADA
• Senior Cardano Developer x 2: 45,000 ADA

Final Milestone: Mainnet Deployment and Project Close-out

Total: 15,000 ADA

• Project Manager: 5,000 ADA
• Senior Cardano Developer x 2 : 10,000 ADA

This concise budget ensures each phase of the Intra-DRep Voting Tooling project is well-funded, focused on delivering high-quality outcomes, and aligned with the needs of the Cardano community.

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The Intra-DRep Voting Framework provides excellent value by offering a long-term, scalable solution for Cardano's governance.

Cost Justification:

• Lean Development Approach:
• We focus resources on essential components, ensuring efficient development without unnecessary costs.
• Open-Source Release:
• The open-source framework allows for reuse across the ecosystem, eliminating ongoing costs and maximizing community impact.
• Regional Efficiency:
• Our team operates in cost-effective regions, optimizing the budget while maintaining high-quality output.
• Long-Term Impact:
• A one-time investment provides continuous benefits by enhancing governance transparency and engagement.

With a lean approach and open-source delivery, the framework ensures exceptional value and long-term benefits for Cardano’s ecosystem.