Last updated 2 months ago
Rainforest Alliance aims to pilot blockchain technology to enhance traceability and value for sustainable forest products, without introducing complexity or risk to CFEs or buyers.
A Cardano-backed MVP for traceability and label integrity, with a modular roadmap for product cataloging, buyer capture, and future smart contracts. Partnerships like ScanTrust may be explored.
This is the total amount allocated to Rainforest Alliance: Blockchain Traceability Pilot.
Please provide your proposal title
Rainforest Alliance: Blockchain Traceability Pilot
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
1000000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
12
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Rainforest Alliance aims to pilot blockchain technology to enhance traceability and value for sustainable forest products, without introducing complexity or risk to CFEs or buyers.
Supporting links
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?
No
License and Additional Information
Process and architecture documentation, label verification criteria, and interface mockups will be published. We’ll look at how best to handle the IP in the best interests of the ecosystem; any personal data will be handled in accordance with regulations. Any third-party solutions remain in their purview.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Supply Chain
Describe your established collaborations.
This project is the result of over 10 months of collaboration between Rainforest Alliance, STORM Partners, and Modus Create. Rainforest Alliance provides certification expertise and field alignment, STORM Partners leads project management and strategy, and Modus Create delivers technical development. Together, we scoped user stories and workflows to ensure the solution is relevant and adoption-ready.
Describe funding commitments.
The total request is 1,000,000 ADA, allocated to Modus Create (500k), Rainforest Alliance (400k), and STORM Partners (100k). Funds are milestone-based, covering scoping, MVP delivery, field pilots, business case validation, gap closure, and closeout reporting. No external funding commitments are made. Future features such as offline tools are excluded from this budget and may be considered separately.
Describe your key performance metrics.
Success will be measured through milestone outputs: MVP delivery, field pilot testing, and documented feedback. A key metric is the development of a robust business case validated with at least two of Rainforest Alliance’s clients or prospects (large multinationals). If the case proves viable, RA will adopt the solution into its infrastructure. Final metrics include a live demo, business case report, and RA’s go/no-go decision.
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
Since October 2024, Rainforest Alliance (https://rainforest-alliance.org) (a major global NGO working with many of the top food and beverage brands in the world), STORM Partners (https://storm.partners), and members of the community have been collaborating on the scoping and design of this initiative. Modus Create (https://moduscreate.com), a trusted Cardano technical partner with proven core development and mainnet contributions, now joins as the implementation lead. This proposal builds on months of prior coordination and established expertise, ensuring continuity rather than starting from scratch.
Our goal is to provide a real-world, relevant solution that will be used by Rainforest Alliance and other stakeholders in the forestry products’ supply chain to increase investment in community-managed forests, especially at-risk forests, and the communities that both protect and depend on them.
In order to reach that outcome, Rainforest Alliance has laid out an ambitious set of requirements that would cumulatively drive significant impact in the supply chain. These include:
*We will likely not be able to implement all of these features in the first version of the project, but creating value with blockchain is core to the project scope.
As part of the preparation for the project, starting in October 2024, STORM Partners worked with Rainforest Alliance and has prepared an extensive list of desired user stories across nine verticals, including (minimum) core function, presale processes, accessibility and internationalization, market reach, revenue/profitability, fulfilment risk, reputational risk and compliance, labeling/consumer facing, and tech experimentation.
We will start the project with a product scoping exercise led by Modus Create to determine the sequence of releases and the scope that can be achieved within the budget of the project, and what will need to be completed outside of scope.
Where feasible, we will integrate off-the-shelf tools to accelerate delivery and reduce custom build requirements. This allows Modus Create to focus on the highest-impact components while enabling Rainforest Alliance to allocate greater resources to conducting in-depth field studies with CFEs and buyers. While we cannot confirm the final scope until the product and engineering team take a better look at it, plus we factor in interviews with users in the field, these are the features that were discussed in planning:
Submission-to-Trace MVP
Blockchain Anchoring + Label Generator
CFE Dashboard + Smart Label Logic
Demo Site + Buyer Inquiry Tool
Out-of-Scope Roadmap Items (Pending Market Conditions)
The following features are outside the scope of this 1M ADA proposal but remain part of the intended roadmap, should additional budget or price appreciation allow:
Sustainable Marketplace Integration
Offline Companion App MVP
Risk Mapping + Scaling Feasibility Study
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
This project brings one of the most respected sustainability brands, Rainforest Alliance (https://rainforest-alliance.org), into a real-world Cardano pilot. It will:
While we will build according to the needs of the real world, the pilot will at minimum test two proven Cardano traceability components as part of the solution:
Originate, the Cardano Foundation’s open-source traceability infrastructure for product authenticity and certifications; and ScanTrust, a Swiss QR-based label and anti-counterfeit solution already integrated in Cardano pilots. Originate has been deployed in the Georgian Wine program together with ScanTrust and the National Wine Agency of Georgia, demonstrating end-to-end provenance verification across 30+ wineries. By testing both Originate and ScanTrust in Rainforest Alliance supply chains, this project anchors adoption on infrastructure and tooling that have already been validated in production.
If successful, this pilot can be used as a reference implementation for other certification or sustainability pilots, opening new markets for Cardano integrations.
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?
STORM Partners (https://storm.partners)
STORM Partners is a Swiss-based Web3 management and strategy consultancy with a track record of delivering successful Catalyst-funded initiatives and enterprise blockchain pilots. STORM has advised top Layer 1 ecosystems such as Cardano, MultiversX, and SingularityNET, and co-managed high-profile integrations including the Elrond-to-MultiversX rebrand and the SingularityNET x Fetch.ai x Ocean Protocol merger. Within this project, STORM acts as project manager and strategy lead, ensuring alignment across Rainforest Alliance, Modus, and the Cardano ecosystem. Its governance experience, risk management, and stakeholder coordination reduce delivery risk while ensuring adoption pathways are commercially and technically validated.
Rainforest Alliance (https://rainforest-alliance.org)
Rainforest Alliance brings over 30 years of global certification expertise, covering forestry, agriculture, and supply chains across 70+ countries. The organization has deep operational infrastructure, including ERP systems and global buyer networks, that directly support traceability deployments. RA’s reputation as one of the most respected NGOs in sustainability ensures trust among buyers, while its field presence guarantees that blockchain tools are piloted with real producers and communities. RA’s active role in scoping since October 2024 ensures that the pilot is fully aligned with practical field requirements and adoption goals, avoiding the “pilot without market” problem that often limits blockchain projects.
Modus Create (https://moduscreate.com)
Modus Create has been tackling tough engineering challenges since 2013 and contributing to the Cardano ecosystem since 2018, leading work in security audits, protocol design, consensus evolution, and core ledger systems. The company’s team has delivered foundational improvements to the network while maintaining a focus on open collaboration, technical rigor, and solutions that serve the broader community. This hands-on experience in one of the world’s most innovative blockchain ecosystems has shaped Modus Create’s approach to solving complex problems and delivering sustainable, production-grade results.
A global product engineering and consulting firm partnered with Atlassian, AWS, and GitHub, Modus Create combines high-level strategy with deep technical execution. Its expertise spans blockchain integration, NFT platforms, tokenization frameworks, wallet solutions, and smart contract-enabled applications for both enterprise and public networks. Beyond blockchain, the company has developed advanced geospatial mapping tools that integrate GIS data into accessible, interactive applications, and delivered solutions across finance, environmental conservation, and digital commerce. Whether modernizing legacy systems, launching Web3 products, or designing mission-critical infrastructure, Modus Create helps organizations and ecosystems like Cardano reach their full potential.
Modus Create Selected Cardano references:
Feasibility will be validated through:
Milestone Title
Discovery, Scoping, and Alignment
Milestone Outputs
Note: All Milestone 2–4 outputs, acceptance criteria, and evidence will be refined collaboratively during Milestone 1 and may evolve based on user feedback, field realities, and technical validation. Deliverables will prioritize ecosystem value and project integrity over rigid adherence to preliminary estimates.
This milestone establishes the project foundation through collaborative scoping, visualizing key user flows, and aligning all parties on governance, branding, and communications. Mockups will illustrate the product submission process, RA verification steps, and the public traceability view. A final roadmap and backlog will be co-developed with RA, detailing delivery timelines and dependencies. Governance and brand alignment will be confirmed through an approved brief, ensuring clarity for all stakeholders. Output definitions and acceptance criteria for Milestones 2–5 will be finalized, documented, and confirmed, including any agreed changes and their impacts.
Outputs:
Acceptance Criteria
RA confirms mockups are accurate and feedback-ready.
All three core parties sign the roadmap and backlog pdf.
An email in which the RA representative confirms governance, branding, and comms alignment.
An email from RA and Modus Create confirming the definitions for milestones 2–5, in the same format and detail as those drafted in this proposal, with a writeup of any changes and the reasoning behind them, which if any shall include at least budget impact, business impact, and feasibility impact.
Evidence of Completion
Link to a PDF or shared link to live mockups (e.g. Figma).
Link to a PDF of the signed roadmap and backlog.
Link to a PDF.
Link to a PDF.
Note: The outputs in Milestones 2–5 will be finalized in Milestone 1. If field constraints, technical risks, or user research suggest a revised path, we will propose an adjusted roadmap of equal or greater value, maintaining the integrity of the budget and timeline.
Delivery Month
3
Cost
165000
Progress
20 %
Milestone Title
MVP Delivery and Field Pilot
Milestone Outputs
An initial MVP is developed and tested based on field-informed priorities identified during Milestone 1. This ensures that the solution directly reflects the real-world needs and workflows of the RA team and participating CFEs. The MVP will include a submission interface for CFEs to securely input product and sourcing data, a verification dashboard for RA to review and approve submissions, and a public-facing page where approved entries can be viewed by relevant stakeholders. Development will focus on delivering a functional, stable version that can be demonstrated and reviewed in a live field context. This will allow for initial testing in real conditions and the gathering of observations from RA field teams, ensuring the MVP aligns with expectations before subsequent milestones.
Outputs:
Acceptance Criteria
A video of the live MVP, including the submission interface, the verification dashboard, and the public-facing page.
A link to a live, public-facing page with at least one product submitted by a CFE, approved by RA, and with at least a hash of an associated transaction on Cardano.
A report that incorporates at least the following sections: initial design assumptions, feedback from RA field teams, and how (if appropriate) the feedback was integrated into the MVP flow.
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
6
Cost
390000
Progress
40 %
Milestone Title
Business Case Validation
Milestone Outputs
This milestone focuses on validating the commercial and strategic viability of the solution with real buyer prospects, ensuring that the project is positioned for either further investment or scale-up. Building on the technical and functional progress from Milestones 1 and 2, the goal is to engage with potential RA buyers to gather feedback, test market assumptions, and discuss potential interest in adopting the solution. Findings will be documented in a formal business case and supplemented with a gap analysis that highlights remaining barriers to adoption or scale-up, whether technical, operational, or market-related. All information will be compiled to help RA make informed decisions about future steps.
Outputs:
Acceptance Criteria
Two anonymized transcripts or, if the buyer refused transcription, notes from two product validation calls between RA or STORM Partners with a buyer who is or could potentially be a client of the solution.
A business case document drafted and reviewed by RA which follows their internal conventions and standards. RA may choose to redact elements that are deemed sensitive, but the document will either make clear or be accompanied by a writeup that defines what measures or market reactions would make the business case worthy of pursuing.
An email in which RA confirms the gap analysis table as representative of business case or scale-up blockers.
Evidence of Completion
Link to a .pdf containing anonymized transcripts
Link to a .pdf containing the formal business case document
Link to a .pdf containing the gap analysis table
Delivery Month
9
Cost
100000
Progress
60 %
Milestone Title
Gap Closure and Optional Features
Milestone Outputs
This milestone focuses on consolidating the work completed throughout the project, documenting the final state of the solution, and addressing any remaining gaps that could affect adoption or scale-up. It also provides an opportunity to integrate optional features if time and budget allow. By the end of this phase, all deliverables will be clearly documented, including the original roadmap, any adjustments made during development, and any technical debt or outstanding items identified. The emphasis will be on providing RA with a clear view of the delivered product’s current capabilities, its alignment with initial plans, and any identified areas that could be explored in the future.
Outputs:
Acceptance Criteria
A document prepared by Modus Create that at minimum reviews the initial roadmap and backlog, the final delivered sprints and features, documents any issues or technical debt, and if possible defines the next work to be accomplished.
A document prepared by RA defining the final delivered functionality as it applies to their activity, any gaps in function or usability required either for business case validation, scalability, regional specific employment, or other barriers to adoption.
A video walkthrough of the complete end-to-end workflow, from product creation and submission to a live public facing page and a transaction on the Cardano blockchain, plus any optional features that were able to be developed.
Evidence of Completion
PDF reviewing roadmap, sprints, and technical debt.
PDF of RA’s product capability report.
Private YouTube demo video.
Delivery Month
11
Cost
280000
Progress
90 %
Milestone Title
Final Presentation and Reporting
Milestone Outputs
This milestone marks the formal closeout of the project, consolidating all findings, deliverables, and documentation into a final set of outputs for review by RA, Cardano stakeholders, and other relevant parties. The primary objective is to present the complete results of the pilot, covering the agreed scope and providing the information needed for RA to determine the most appropriate next steps. A formal go/no-go decision by RA will confirm whether the solution proceeds to further scale-up, remains in pilot mode, or concludes at this stage. The milestone also includes preparation of a closeout report summarizing all major activities, results against the original objectives, lessons learned, and any agreed recommendations for the future. A closeout video will give a concise, visual overview of the project in line with Catalyst requirements.
Outputs:
Acceptance Criteria
A written decision (go or no-go) by RA in the form of either an email or a decision template that defines next steps and utilization for the project, as appropriate.
Per Catalyst Requirements.
Per Catalyst Requirements
Evidence of Completion
Link to a .pdf. and a private youtube video.
Link to a .pdf.
Link to a public youtube video.
Delivery Month
12
Cost
65000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Milestone 1 (Month 1–3): Discovery, Scoping, and Alignment
Total: 165,000 ADA
Modus Create: 60,000 ADA for product mockups, technical architecture exploration, and delivery preparation
Rainforest Alliance: 75,000 ADA for stakeholder interviews, governance validation, legal, and brand input
STORM Partners: 30,000 ADA for scope facilitation, workshops, roadmap drafting, and milestone definition
Milestone 2 (Month 4–6): MVP Delivery and Field Pilot
Total: 390,000 ADA
Modus Create: 270,000 ADA for development of the submission interface, RA dashboard, ScanTrust integration, and traceability MVP
Rainforest Alliance: 100,000 ADA for field pilot support, product onboarding, SME feedback, and public content validation
STORM Partners: 20,000 ADA for milestone coordination, partner liaison, documentation, and reporting
Milestone 3 (Month 7–9): Business Case Validation
Total: 100,000 ADA
Modus Create: 0 ADA
Rainforest Alliance: 75,000 ADA for buyer validation, internal strategy alignment, and decision modeling
STORM Partners: 25,000 ADA for interview facilitation, business case drafting, and gap analysis documentation
Milestone 4 (Month 10–11): Gap Closure and Optional Features
Total: 280,000 ADA
Modus Create: 170,000 ADA for feature closure, optional module delivery (e.g. buyer interface or offline prototype), and demo site finalization
Rainforest Alliance: 100,000 ADA for validation of new features, stakeholder feedback, and showcase preparation
STORM Partners: 10,000 ADA for coordination, review, and final milestone validation
Milestone 5 (Month 12): Final Presentation and Reporting
Total: 65,000 ADA
Modus Create: 0 ADA
Rainforest Alliance: 50,000 ADA for stakeholder decision-making, internal alignment, and final report sign-off
STORM Partners: 15,000 ADA for final report compilation, public outputs, and go/no-go coordination
Total Budget Allocation
Modus Create: 500,000 ADA
Rainforest Alliance: 400,000 ADA
STORM Partners: 100,000 ADA
For a detailed pre-scoping allocation of costs, see: https://stormpartners.notion.site/Modus-Create-Scoping-Assumption-Check-21c4825a412980a5a5c3c5bbc7c7b248
Note: Offline functionality and feasibility studies are excluded in this budget and may
be considered in future roadmap extensions.
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
This pilot represents a rare instance of a top-tier global NGO, Rainforest Alliance (https://rainforest-alliance.org), committing to test blockchain in a live field context, with full branding and internal stakeholder alignment. For the cost of 1 million ADA, Cardano gets:
real-world supply chains across Latin America and Africa
A legitimate proof point for blockchain-for-good, delivered by trusted institutions rather than Web3 startups
Public-facing outputs (a live demo, a shareable video, buyer inquiry forms) that serve as ecosystem marketing materials
A realistic, field-tested design that can be extended to certification programs, DePIN, or sustainable finance
Compared to previous grants for wallet UIs or developer tools that remain underused, this delivers cross-sector value—supply chain, NGO adoption, enterprise integration, and reputational upside. To stay within the 1M ADA limit, we have focused only on essential modules required to onboard traceable goods onto a sustainable marketplace. Additional features like offline tools or scale risk mapping have been scoped for later delivery. In traditional philanthropy, a $600,000 equivalent would barely cover a single regional pilot. Here, the same spend produces a reusable product architecture, an ecosystem reference client, and global marketing exposure.
In short, this isn’t a “grant to test an idea”—it’s a blueprint for blockchain adoption by credible institutions. That’s rare in the L1 world and practically unheard of in the NGO space.
Terms and Conditions:
Yes