Last updated 8 months ago
Communities lack clear, visual insight into how local actors, tools, and proposals interconnect—slowing adoption, coordination, and utility development on Cardano.
We'll create a visual, interactive ecosystem map using real user data, test it with Starch miners and Japan, and refine it through feedback loops and self-reporting tools.
This is the total amount allocated to Ecosystem Mapping for Community-Led Utility & Layer-2 .
Please provide your proposal title
Ecosystem Mapping for Community-Led Utility & Layer-2
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
80000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
7
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Communities lack clear, visual insight into how local actors, tools, and proposals interconnect—slowing adoption, coordination, and utility development on Cardano.
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
No
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
No dependencies
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
Yes
License and Additional Information
MIT
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal.
Connected Community
Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously funded (whether by you or others).
Most funded tools target siloed functionality—wallets, DAOs, or governance—but not their interaction. This project offers a user-tested, data-driven ecosystem map that connects Starch miners, proposals, incentives, and real usage. It introduces a visual “Eco Operating System” to test community understanding of L2s, PoA, and self-reporting. Japan and Starch serve as testbeds to show how tokens, tools, and users function together in a live ecosystem with real incentives.
Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.
The MVP is a live map showing real relationships between Catalyst proposals, token use, and community engagement. It will demo: 1) Starch miner utility, 2) Japan DRep engagement, and 3) L2 tools like PoA and reporting. Hosted on a public dashboard, it will visualize incentives, proposal links, and user actions in real time. Testers will interact with a UI layer and self-report usage, while feedback loops refine map accuracy and incentive clarity.
Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.
• Number of PoA NFTs issued via smart contracts
• Number of users completing self-reports
• Number of proposals mapped to users
• On-chain Starch transactions linked to Catalyst activity
• Participation metrics from Japan pilot
• Dashboard traffic and GitHub commits
• Tester feedback surveys before and after map exposure
Together, these show how effectively the mapping layer improves understanding and coordination.
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
• Build a live, interactive ecosystem mapping tool that visualizes connections between Catalyst proposals, tokens, L2 tools, and community actions.
• Use the Starch miners and Japan Catalyst community as real-world testbeds to validate how users interact with proposals and self-reporting mechanisms.
• Deploy a frontend interface that displays nodes (people, projects, DAOs) and edges (token flows, proof actions, proposal links) in real time.
• Integrate proof-of-attendance (PoA) smart contracts and self-reporting tools to gather on-chain and off-chain participation data.
• Introduce incentives for users to engage with the map via tasks, reporting, and proposal alignment, with multiple win conditions.
• Capture qualitative feedback via pre/post tester surveys and track measurable actions like Starch token usage and attendance proofs.
• Open-source all code, publish documentation, and host updates on a public dashboard with a user-friendly UI layer.
• Apply a modular, scalable system architecture so other communities or tools can plug into the map in future phases.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
• Makes Cardano’s growing ecosystem easier to navigate by connecting the dots between people, tools, tokens, and proposals.
• Helps users understand the relationship between governance, proposal funding, and real-world adoption.
• Improves post-funding visibility for Catalyst projects by showing live usage and participation through the ecosystem map.
• Enables delegated representatives (dReps) to make better, data-informed decisions based on visible activity and user signals.
• Brings in new regions like Japan through localized onboarding and testing, proving Catalyst tools can scale globally.
• Validates the utility of tokens like Starch when tied to real governance incentives and participation tracking.
• Encourages collaboration across proposals by identifying overlaps and shared infrastructure in the visual map.
• Lays the groundwork for more advanced coordination tools such as DAO network maps, policy overlays, and incentive visualizers.
• Increases transparency, accountability, and user trust in Catalyst as a whole.
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?
• Experienced Team – We have prior Catalyst-funded project experience, smart contract development (Plutus, Aiken), and frontend/backend deployment across Fastify, MongoDB, and React. Our team includes engineers, designers, and community leads with proven delivery track records.
• Community Roots – We’re already embedded in both testbeds: the Starch token network and the Japan Catalyst community. We have existing Telegram/Discord presence and direct lines to active dReps and voters.
• Tested Infrastructure – We’ve previously deployed proof-of-attendance NFTs, interactive dashboards, and self-reporting APIs. We’ll reuse and adapt these components rather than building from scratch.
• Scalable Design – The map engine will be designed modularly, allowing more chains, proposals, or users to plug in without heavy reengineering. This makes the tool useful beyond our two pilots.
• Open Source Delivery – All code will be published on GitHub under a permissive license. Anyone can fork or contribute. Documentation will be maintained for transparency and replication.
• Agile Methodology – The project will follow an agile approach with community feedback guiding each iteration. Each cycle will produce usable improvements, and not just a one-time release.
• Minimal Dependencies – Aside from integrating some Catalyst APIs and PoA contracts, the project has no critical third-party dependencies that could block progress.
• Budget-Conscious Build – We are scoping this project to be lean but effective, reusing working modules
Milestone Title
Starch & Japan Pilot Setup + Ecosystem Map Alpha Launch
Milestone Outputs
• Design and build the initial ecosystem mapping engine (node and edge structure).
• Connect visual map to live Catalyst metadata (e.g. proposals, dReps, tools).
• Launch basic front-end UI for interacting with the map.
• Onboard 10+ Starch community testers and 5+ Japan community testers.
• Deploy and test PoA NFT issuance for user participation.
• Set up initial self-reporting mechanism (form + wallet hook).
• Establish GitHub repo with documentation and open dev log.
• Publish public demo link to the alpha mapping interface.
Acceptance Criteria
• Working alpha of the ecosystem map is accessible via public link.
• Catalyst proposals and Starch token activity are successfully plotted in the UI.
• At least 15 unique users from pilot groups interact with the system.
• First round of PoA NFTs are minted and visible on-chain.
• Public GitHub repo includes readme, source code, and setup instructions.
• Self-reporting flow produces data successfully connected to user nodes.
• Feedback is collected from at least 5 pilot users on usability.
Evidence of Completion
• Link to live hosted alpha version
• List of NFT TX hashes (PoA proofs)
• CSV or JSON of anonymized user reports
• GitHub repo (public)
• Screenshots of UI and node/edge output
• Copy of feedback report
• Hashes of wallet addresses or usernames onboarded
Delivery Month
2
Cost
28000
Progress
30 %
Milestone Title
Milestone 2: Full MVP – Feature Expansion & dRep Ecosystem Testing
Milestone Outputs
• Upgrade to map UI/UX with filtering, tagging, and interactivity
• Display of live wallet actions: Starch usage, Catalyst proposal ties
• dRep overlay: identify and visualize how dReps align with ecosystem elements
• Expand PoA and self-report modules to cover multi-role participation (voter, proposer, DAO, etc.)
• Japan + Global user expansion (50+ more testers onboarded)
• Refine feedback loop and link responses to user personas
• Additional UI layer: “win conditions” dashboard per user role
• Add basic admin panel for map operators (backend config interface)
• Public release (beta tag) with open sign-up
Acceptance Criteria
• Enhanced UI deployed with filtering and live node updates
• 80+ testers total (pilot + global) across at least 3 stakeholder types
• At least 100 new PoA NFTs minted
• Self-report dashboard running and public
• dRep alignment successfully visualized
Evidence of Completion
• Public beta URL and working dashboard
• Screenshot of enhanced map with filtering
• Link to 100+ PoA NFT TXs
• Screenshot or video of dRep overlay
• GitHub commits showing new features
• Admin panel screenshot
• Export of user roles and win condition data
• Feedback compilation report
Delivery Month
4
Cost
30000
Progress
50 %
Milestone Title
Milestone 3: Ecosystem Integration + Final Report & Expansion Framework
Milestone Outputs
• Create integration docs and onboarding framework for other Catalyst projects
• Add export tools (CSV, JSON, IPFS snapshot) for map data
• Document how projects can plug in (proposal metadata, token analytics, etc.)
• Launch community education session (video + async tutorial)
• Final round of feature polish + UI/UX refinements
• Roadmap outline for DAO coordination, DID visual layers, and incentive syncing
• Publish final report with metrics, user engagement, and technical evaluation
• Share findings with Catalyst community and DRep onboarding teams
Acceptance Criteria
• Integration docs publicly available
• Export and snapshot tools deployed
• Education video/tutorial published
• 150+ users represented in map database
• Final GitHub release and tagged v1.0
• Final report with full project summary delivered
• Roadmap doc and proposal alignment visual shared
Evidence of Completion
• Link to public docs on integration
• Video tutorial URL
• Final report PDF or IPFS hash
• GitHub release link with final tag
• Exportable dataset (CSV/JSON)
• Screenshots of map at full scale
• Roadmap/vision doc shared with Catalyst channels
Delivery Month
4
Cost
22000
Progress
70 %
Milestone Title
Final Integration, Reporting & Ecosystem Expansion Framework
Milestone Outputs
• Final polish of the UI/UX, including visual layer refinements and mobile responsiveness
• Export tools for map data (CSV, JSON, IPFS snapshot options)
• Public onboarding documentation for projects and communities to plug into the map
• Integration instructions for Catalyst proposal metadata, PoA contracts, and wallet interactions
• Roadmap design for future features (DAO overlays, DID support, incentive heatmapping)
• Community education package: tutorial video, async walkthrough, and sample test scripts
• Final project report summarizing all milestones, results, user growth, and feedback
• Results shared across Catalyst and relevant Cardano governance forums
Acceptance Criteria
• Publicly hosted, stable final version of the mapping tool available
• Exportable data layer works and produces usable files
• Integration documentation published in public repo and Notion/Markdown formats
• Future roadmap published and aligned with Catalyst/dRep governance needs
• Tutorial video and async resources are available to community
• Final PDF report submitted to Catalyst, including participation metrics and technical results
• Project links and deliverables shared in community-facing Catalyst groups
Evidence of Completion
• Final live platform URL with enhanced features
• Link to GitHub release with v1.0 tag and changelog
• Downloadable CSV/JSON/IPFS export sample
• Roadmap document (PDF or IPFS hash)
• Link to tutorial video and/or step-by-step onboarding page
• Final report file (shared in Catalyst, GitHub, and Twitter)
• Screenshots of completed visual graph with full user data
Delivery Month
6
Cost
22000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
• Development Labor – $48,000
Core engineering for mapping backend, smart contracts, PoA NFTs, wallet integration, and UI. Includes 2 devs across all 3 milestones.
• UX Design & Front-End – $12,000
Interface, responsive layout, testing flows, user filters, and visual polish for interactive mapping and dashboard layer.
• Community Outreach & Tester Support – $6,000
Funding to onboard and support 100+ testers, including Starch and Japan communities. Includes materials, coordination, and reward scripting.
• Video Tutorials & Documentation – $4,000
Creation of async onboarding resources, DAO integration guides, and proposal plug-in instructions.
• Infrastructure & Hosting – $3,000
Servers, monitoring, IPFS pinning, test environments, and backup storage over 6 months.
• Final Reporting & Roadmap – $3,000
Development of final project report, dataset exports, and Catalyst-facing roadmap for future governance integration.
• Contingency (5%) – $4,000
Covers risk buffer for unplanned scope changes, audit adjustments, or localization fixes.
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
• This project creates open infrastructure that can be reused by future Catalyst proposals, DAOs, dReps, and builders — not just a single-use tool.
• Each milestone delivers real utility to the community, including smart contract components, a public dashboard, and onboarding guides.
• By reusing existing tools and communities (Starch, Japan), we avoid unnecessary spend on marketing or setup and go straight to testing real utility.
• All outputs — contracts, UI, reporting logic, exports — will be made open source and publicly documented, increasing long-term value for the ecosystem.
• The mapping engine lays the foundation for broader governance tooling: DAO coordination, proposal clustering, and cross-chain visual layers.
• Clear ROI is visible in measurable outputs: NFT mints, dashboard logins, proposal-linked usage, and feedback loops that improve onboarding and accountability.
• The budget is proportionally split between development, user engagement, documentation, and delivery — ensuring balanced and sustainable growth of the platform.
• Project team has deep technical experience and a proven Catalyst track record, reducing delivery risk and ensuring funds are used efficiently.
• By testing the system in Japan and with the Starch community, we show how Catalyst tools can scale across cultures, geographies, and governance levels.
Terms and Conditions:
Yes
• Dominick “Dagwell” Garey – Lead Blockchain Developer
Full-stack Cardano engineer leading the technical architecture of the mapping engine, PoA smart contracts, self-reporting infrastructure, and data exports. Manages roadmap and smart contract auditing.
• Derrick “Alpine” Oatway – Front-End/UX Engineer
Responsible for building the interactive map UI, refining dashboard components, and implementing wallet + identity integrations. Also manages testing and community UX sessions.