Cardano Community Bounties pilot Program

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

Cardano Community Bounties pilot Program

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

39000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

6

[Proposal Summary] Translation Information

Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated

No

Original Language

en

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

Small Cardano community actions lack fast and fair funding.Catalyst is designed for larger projects, making it less responsive for urgent contributions like meetups,translations, and content creation.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://cardanobounty.com/
,
• https://uptodatedevelopers.com/
,
• https://devcommunity.io/updev/seeking-community-feedback-cardano-community-bounties-program-2025-2026-pilot-465b
,
• https://cardanobounty.com/how-bounties-work

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

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

No

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

No dependencies

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

All data will be available and open

[Theme Selection] Theme

Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal

Education

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano.

We target grassroots contributors: content creators, event organizers, translators, and moderators, especially in underrepresented regions. Outreach will be done via DevCommunity.io, Telegram, and local meetups. By funding small actions, we keep the Cardano ecosystem active, inclusive, and globally engaged between Catalyst rounds.

Provide a list of key activities of your project?

• Launch a bounty platform for small funded community tasks

•	Organize 100+ bounties for videos, meetups, translations, and moderation

•	Form a rotating review committee

•	Support multilingual content and local outreach

•	Publish platform analytics and community reports

These actions will boost education, adoption, and retention in Cardano.

What are your success metrics?

100+ contributors funded, 100+ tasks completed, activity in 10+ countries, content impact tracked, user feedback collected, and bounties processed quickly to maintain engagement. 90% of bounties approved within 7 days, and positive feedback from contributors through surveys and platform ratings. These results will show the program’s global impact, increase in adoption, and support for community growth.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Solution

The Invisible Backbone of Cardano

The Cardano community is full of people who genuinely want to contribute. They teach others, create educational content, host meetups, translate materials, and support newcomers. These small, everyday actions may not always be visible, but they are essential. They help people understand Cardano, gain trust in the ecosystem, and find their place in it. For many, these contributors are the first point of contact and the reason they stay.

Why Many Contributors Give Up

Yet, despite their importance, most of these contributors work without any support. They rely on their own time, money, and motivation. Over time, this becomes unsustainable. People stop—not because they’ve lost interest, but because continuing alone becomes too difficult.

Cardano’s main funding system, Project Catalyst, is excellent for large-scale and long-term projects. However, it’s not designed for small or urgent needs. It requires detailed proposals, KPIs, and extended campaign efforts. The process can take months, which discourages contributors who want to act quickly or do something small but meaningful.

In many regions, contributors face even more barriers. They may not speak English fluently, have limited internet access, or lack experience in proposal writing. Even when they have strong ideas and active communities, these barriers often exclude them. That creates an unfair dynamic where only a small portion of the global community can access funding.

Why Small Actions Matter

The need for small, local, and timely actions is growing. These actions help people every day. A meetup in a village, a simple infographic in a local language, or a short explainer video can have an immediate and powerful impact. They don’t cost much, but without support, they rarely happen.

This is the problem we want to solve.

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Our Proposal: A Simple, Fair Support System

We propose a simple and flexible program designed to support small community actions. The concept is straightforward: anyone in the Cardano ecosystem can suggest a useful task and, once completed, receive a small reward. The types of tasks could include:

• Organizing a local meetup or training session

• Creating a video, graphic, or guide to explain Cardano

• Translating key resources into regional languages

• Supporting community channels by moderating or educating newcomers

• Sharing updates or tutorials in creative and accessible ways

Rather than requiring long proposals and waiting for months, contributors will receive support shortly after completing meaningful work. This fast feedback loop will help them stay engaged and continue contributing with motivation and consistency.

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Why This Matters

This program is not meant to replace Catalyst. It’s meant to complement it—filling the space Catalyst currently can’t serve. It bridges the gap between doing nothing and building something large. It keeps the ecosystem moving between funding rounds, especially at the community level.

It works because it emphasizes:

• Trust – Contributors are rewarded for delivering real results, not just submitting well-written plans

• Fairness – Everyone, regardless of background, language, or geography, has a path to participate

• Impact – Each supported action directly helps people learn, engage, and grow within the Cardano ecosystem

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How It Works

The program will offer two types of community tasks:

1. Small Bounties (50–150 ADA)

For tasks like content creation, design, moderation, and translations

No application needed — contributors pick a task and submit the work for review

2. Larger Community Projects (400–500 ADA)

For activities like meetups, educational sessions, or onboarding campaigns

Contributors apply with a short plan, and if approved, complete the task within a set timeline

Each completed task is reviewed by a rotating group of community validators. If approved, rewards are sent directly in ADA to the contributor’s wallet, typically within 1–3 days.

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Key Steps

For Small Bounties:

1. Browse Tasks

Contributors choose a task from the bounty list based on interest and skill

1. Complete the Work

They follow the guidelines and prepare the deliverables

1. Submit for Review

The task is submitted through the platform with supporting materials

1. Receive Payment

Once approved, ADA is sent directly to their wallet within 24–72 hours

For Larger Projects:

1. Select Opportunity

Larger tasks are listed with more detailed requirements

1. Submit a Proposal

Contributors apply with a simple form including a plan and expected outcomes

1. Approval and Start

If approved by the committee, the contributor begins the work

1. Submit Final Results

All deliverables and evidence of completion are submitted at the end

1. Get Rewarded

The contributor receives full or milestone-based payment depending on the agreement

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Transparency and Governance

The program will be fully transparent and community-driven:

• Tasks and contributors will be visible to all

• A rotating community committee will review tasks and proposals

• Rewards will only be given for verified, completed work

• Regular reports will track participation, impact, and lessons learned

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What We Expect to Achieve

Over time, we expect the following results:

• More active and motivated contributors

• A wider variety of educational materials in multiple languages

• Local events welcoming new users

• Less burnout among existing community members

• Greater inclusion of underrepresented regions

• Stronger global connections and knowledge sharing

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A Step Toward the Future

This pilot is also a step toward future community-led funding models. If successful, it can help inform systems where micro-support is managed entirely by the community. It will also reduce pressure on Catalyst by handling small needs efficiently, while Catalyst focuses on innovation at scale.

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In Summary

This program is about recognizing and supporting the people who build Cardano every day—those who teach, translate, moderate, explain, and welcome others. They don’t need large budgets. They need a simple, fast, and fair way to be supported.

With this program, they will have that.

They will no longer be left waiting. They will not be excluded for lack of proposal-writing skills. They will not burn out in silence. Instead, they will have a clear, supportive path to act, contribute, and grow.

When that happens, Cardano won’t just grow at the top. It will grow from the ground up—through thousands of small, steady efforts happening around the world.

By supporting small actions, we unlock big potential.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

The Cardano Community Bounties pilot Program will have a deeply positive and measurable impact across the ecosystem by empowering contributors who are often overlooked by traditional funding mechanisms. By offering fast, fair, and accessible micro-funding, this program will keep the global Cardano community engaged, informed, and growing.

1. Increased Contributor Engagement

Many community members want to help but lack access to funding or are discouraged by complex processes. This program unlocks their potential, helping hundreds of contributors stay active, creative, and visible year-round.

2. Improved Global Inclusion

By removing the need for proposal writing and simplifying task participation, the program opens doors for contributors from non-English-speaking regions and underrepresented communities. This makes the Cardano ecosystem more globally representative, decentralized, and fair.

3. Higher Retention of Existing Builders

Ongoing community efforts—moderation, education, and translation—often fade due to burnout or lack of support. This program provides recognition and compensation for recurring work, helping sustain these essential roles.

4. Accelerated Local Adoption

Supporting grassroots efforts like meetups, workshops, and translations allows more people to discover, trust, and begin using Cardano. These hyperlocal efforts are often the first step to onboarding new users and builders in new markets.

5. Enhanced Ecosystem Communication

Content creators, educators, and visual designers supported through the program will help explain Cardano technologies and updates in accessible formats and multiple languages. This increases understanding and helps drive participation across initiatives like staking, governance, or DeFi.

6. Lower Pressure on Catalyst

Many proposals submitted to Catalyst are for small amounts (under 1,000 ADA) and could be more efficiently handled through a fast-track bounty model. This program reduces proposal congestion and allows Catalyst to focus on large, long-term innovation while still supporting grassroots growth in parallel.

7. Transparent and Scalable Model

The program is fully trackable with visible task boards, reviewer accountability, and impact dashboards. This ensures trust and creates a replicable model for future DAO-based or community-managed funding systems in Cardano.

8. Real Ecosystem Metrics

By the end of the 5-month pilot, we aim to support:

• Over 100 contributors globally
• More than 100 tasks across content, events, education, and localization
• Contributor feedback showing high satisfaction and continued participation

This program brings balance to the ecosystem. It connects top-down innovation with bottom-up participation. It ensures that Cardano grows not only in infrastructure and partnerships but also in community strength, accessibility, and global presence.

Ultimately, it helps Cardano deliver on its mission of decentralization, inclusion, and real-world utility—one small contribution at a time.

[Your Project and Solution] Capabilities & 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?

Capabilities & Feasibility

Capability to Deliver with Trust and Accountability

Uptodate Developers is a technology company with over six years of experience in software development and blockchain integration. Our team of 18+ developers specializes in web, mobile, and desktop applications, and has been actively involved in the Cardano ecosystem for more than three years.

We have consistently demonstrated our technical expertise, community leadership, and ability to deliver results with transparency and reliability.

Track Record of Execution and Engagement

• Website: uptodatedevelopers.com

• Community Platform: DevCommunity.io with more than 2,800 users

Key community involvement includes:

• Co-hosted the Cardano Summit 2021 & 2023 in DR Congo

• Participated in the Cardano Summit 2023 in Dubai

• Organized 3 Cardano community challenges:

  • Challenge 1

  • Challenge 2

  • Challenge 3

• Organized dozens of local meetups and conferences since early 2024

• Led multiple live blockchain coding sessions

• Contributed to open-source Cardano-focused development initiatives

Platform Development and Community Growth

During Fund 8, we organized 16 live blockchain coding sessions which led to the co-creation of DevCommunity.io, an open-source platform now home to:

• 2,800+ registered users

• 70,000+ annual article views

• 15,000+ followers across social platforms:

  • Twitter/X

  • LinkedIn

  • Facebook

  • Telegram

  • Instagram

We’ve also hosted Cardano-focused meetups across Africa since the beginning of 2024.

Commitment to Transparency

We publish monthly community updates and impact reports, maintaining open communication with stakeholders on progress, deliverables, and challenges. This transparency is a cornerstone of our engagement model and has built long-term trust within the Cardano ecosystem.

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Steps to Demonstrate Trustworthiness

To validate our approach and ensure the community can trust us to manage this program and its funds responsibly, we will implement the following mechanisms:

1. Documented Processes

All workflows for task creation, application, review, and payouts will be clearly documented and made public. This ensures fairness, consistency, and community oversight.

2. Respecting Deadlines and Deliverables

Every phase of the program (platform setup, bounty rollout, reviews, reporting) will follow a clear roadmap. Milestone dates and progress will be regularly published.

3. Transparent Communication

Participants and community members will be kept informed through regular updates via blog posts, platform announcements, and social media.

4. External Evaluation and Oversight

We will engage experienced community members and ecosystem contributors to review the process and offer feedback. Reviewer roles in the program will rotate to avoid conflicts of interest.

5. Public Dashboards and Metrics

A public dashboard will display real-time program metrics, including:

• Total bounties posted and completed

• Number of contributors

• Regions and languages served

• ADA distributed

• Average time to payment

This transparency enables anyone to evaluate program impact and fairness.

6. Feedback Loops and Continuous Improvement

We will actively collect feedback from contributors, reviewers, and participants to improve the bounty system. All suggestions will be considered and used to refine the model.

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Why This Is Feasible

• We already operate DevCommunity.io, a robust community platform capable of supporting bounty-based engagement.

• Our team has successfully delivered prior Catalyst-funded projects with accountability and on-time delivery.

• We maintain an active, multi-regional community, including underserved areas across Africa.

• We have technical and community expertise, along with the necessary infrastructure, to scale this program responsibly.

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[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Initial Preparation and Setup

Milestone Outputs

• 1. Project charter and bounty selection process documentation
• 1. Submission guide for bounty proposers
• 1. Execution guide for bounty participants
• 1. Payment tracking framework
• 1. Telegram/email channels launched

Acceptance Criteria

• 1. The project charter and selection process are completed and reviewed
• 1. Submission guide is finalized and formatted for publishing
• 1. Execution guide is validated by internal revie
• 1. Payment tracking system is defined and documented
• 1. Telegram and email channels are active and moderated

Evidence of Completion

• 1. Public link to project charter and process doc (PDF or shared folder)
• 1. Public link to the submission guide (PDF or page)
• 1. Public link to the execution guide (PDF or page)
• 1. Screenshot or file of the payment tracking sheet/system
• 1. Screenshots of active Telegram/email channels with initial discussions

Delivery Month

1

Cost

5500

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Launch and Execution of First Community Bounties

Milestone Outputs

1. 25 bounties published on the platform

2. Public announcement and community onboarding launched

3. Review and moderation system operational

4. Submission and selection process executed

5. Initial rewards distributed to bounty completers

6. Community feedback channel active

Acceptance Criteria

1. First 25 bounties are live and accessible

2. Communication materials are published and shared on official channels

3. Moderators and reviewers are processing bounty submissions

4. At least one round of review and approval completed

5. Payments successfully processed for completed bounties

6. Feedback from participants and contributors collected

Evidence of Completion

1. Public link or screenshot of live bounties

2. Copies or links to published announcement materials

3. Logs or dashboard showing moderation activity

4. Documented submission and selection records

5. Screenshot of payment confirmations or transaction records

6. Summary report from feedback channel or survey results

Delivery Month

2

Cost

5500

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

Expansion of Bounty Program and Community Engagement

Milestone Outputs

1. 25 new bounties launched

2. Improved guides for new participants

3. Outreach activities to attract new contributors

4. Consistent review and reward process

5. Monthly community summary created

6. Support system adjusted based on feedback

Acceptance Criteria

1. New bounties made available to the public

2. Clear materials help newcomers understand how to join

3. Community growth noticed after outreach efforts

4. Fair and timely evaluation of contributions

5. Summary shared with community members

6. Contributors feel better supported

Evidence of Completion

1. Public listing of the new bounties

2. Access to improved guides or tutorials

3. Posts or metrics from outreach activities

4. Records of evaluations and rewards

5. Published monthly summary

6. User feedback showing satisfaction

Delivery Month

3

Cost

5500

Progress

50 %

Milestone Title

Program Maturity and Contributor Retention

Milestone Outputs

1. 25 new bounties opened

2. System to highlight and appreciate contributors

3. Approach to encourage people to come back

4. Summary of ongoing activities shared

5. Bounty review process improved

6. Report created to share project progress

Acceptance Criteria

1. Bounties clearly available and accessible

2. Contributors recognized for their efforts

3. More people returning to complete bounties

4. Activities clearly explained and documented

5. Review process is easier and more efficient

6. Summary provides insights into progress

Evidence of Completion

1. Proof of bounty listings

2. List or examples of contributor recognition

3. Contributor participation records

4. Shared community update or summary

5. Updated process documents

6. Public progress report

Delivery Month

4

Cost

5500

Progress

60 %

Milestone Title

Scaling and Strategic Adjustment

Milestone Outputs

1. 25 final bounties completed

2. Efforts to involve less active regions

3. Connection with other community groups

4. Review of all past bounty activities

5. Lessons learned written down

6. Proposal for the final steps prepared

Acceptance Criteria

1. All bounties successfully carried out

2. New contributors join from targeted regions

3. At least one new collaboration started

4. Activities reviewed to find trends and patterns

5. Reflections on what worked and what didn’t

6. Plan ready for next actions

Evidence of Completion

1. Completion list of the 25 bounties

2. List or data showing new regions involved

3. Communication or announcement of partnership

4. Written review of program activities

5. Summary of key lessons

6. Document outlining next steps

Delivery Month

5

Cost

5500

Progress

80 %

Milestone Title

Final Reporting and Program Closure

Milestone Outputs

1. Final summary report of the entire bounty program

2. Community feedback gathered and summarized

3. Full list of completed bounties and participants

4. Community report shared on public platforms

5. Reflection on program strengths and challenges

6. Suggestions for future improvements

Acceptance Criteria

1. A clear and complete report covering all activities

2. Input from contributors and supporters collected

3. Transparent list of results shared

4. Public access to the report ensured

5. Honest analysis of what went well and what didn’t

6. Clear path forward proposed

Evidence of Completion

1. Final report published

2. Feedback survey results or testimonials

3. Document with names (or IDs) and completed tasks

4. Posts or links showing the report shared online

5. Reflection document listing key points

6. Improvement plan or proposal for next steps

Delivery Month

6

Cost

6000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Budget Allocation by Milestone

Total Budget: 39,000 ADA

Project Duration: 6 months

Milestones: 6

Total Community Bounties: 100 funded (20,000 ADA total)

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Milestone 1: Setup and Preparation

Budget: 5,500 ADA

Description: Establish structure, define team roles, prepare templates, eligibility criteria, and communication channels.

Role-Based Allocation:

• Project Manager – 1,600 ADA

• Program Coordinator – 1,100 ADA

• Community Manager – 1,000 ADA

• Communications Lead – 800 ADA

• Operational Tools & Miscellaneous – 1,000 ADA

Total: 5,500 ADA

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Milestone 2: Bounty Round 1 (25 bounties)

Budget: 5,500 ADA

Description: Launch and operate the first round of 25 community bounties.

Allocation:

• Community Bounties – 5,000 ADA

• Reviewer 1 – 120 ADA

• Reviewer 2 – 120 ADA

• Reviewer 3 – 120 ADA

• Community Manager – 140 ADA

Total: 5,500 ADA

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Milestone 3: Bounty Round 2 (25 bounties)

Budget: 5,500 ADA

Description: Execute the second round of 25 bounties, with support and moderation.

Allocation:

• Community Bounties – 5,000 ADA

• Reviewer 1 – 120 ADA

• Reviewer 2 – 120 ADA

• Reviewer 3 – 120 ADA

• Program Coordinator – 140 ADA

Total: 5,500 ADA

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Milestone 4: Bounty Round 3 (25 bounties)

Budget: 5,500 ADA

Description: Execute the third round of 25 bounties, monitor activities and validate submissions.

Allocation:

• Community Bounties – 5,000 ADA

• Reviewer 1 – 120 ADA

• Reviewer 2 – 120 ADA

• Reviewer 3 – 120 ADA

• Community Manager – 140 ADA

Total: 5,500 ADA

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Milestone 5: Bounty Round 4 (25 bounties)

Budget: 5,500 ADA

Description: Final round of bounties. Final feedback collection, coordination, and data compilation.

Allocation:

• Community Bounties – 5,000 ADA

• Reviewer 1 – 120 ADA

• Reviewer 2 – 120 ADA

• Reviewer 3 – 120 ADA

• Communications Lead – 140 ADA

Total: 5,500 ADA

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Milestone 6: Final Reports and Community Wrap-up

Budget: 6,000 ADA

Description: Final reporting, evaluation of program impact, feedback analysis, and publication of community report.

Allocation:

• Project Manager – 1,600 ADA

• Program Coordinator – 1,200 ADA

• Community Manager – 1,000 ADA

• Communications Lead – 800 ADA

• Reviewer 1 – 400 ADA

• Reviewer 2 – 400 ADA

• Reviewer 3 – 400 ADA

• Reporting Tools & Publishing – 200 ADA

Total: 6,000 ADA

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Budget Summary

| Category | ADA |

|-----------------------------|---------|

| 100 Community Bounties | 20,000 |

| Project Management Roles | 13,000 |

| Reviewers | 3,600 |

| Communications & Publishing | 1,800 |

| Tools & Miscellaneous | 600 |

| Total | 39,000 |

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?

Our project maximizes value for the Cardano ecosystem by allocating 20,000 ADA directly to 100 micro-bounties that reward grassroots contributors across content, education, and community engagement. Each bounty (worth ~200 ADA) targets impact at low cost. The remaining 19,000 ADA ensures smooth project delivery—covering management, coordination, and rigorous reviewer-based validation at lean rates.

We benchmarked compensation to align with average freelance rates across Africa (~15–20 USD/hour), offering fair pay for skilled contributors while maintaining a low operational footprint. Roles are distributed to reduce overhead and prioritize community-facing outputs.

By decentralizing execution and funding multiple contributors, this pilot lays the groundwork for a scalable bounty framework. The cost per outcome is minimal compared to traditional grant mechanisms—ensuring this model delivers fast results with high ecosystem ROI.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes