Everscale’s New Approach to Ecosystem Funding: Community Commitments

In 2024, the team behind the TVM blockchain Everscale introduced the Governance 3.0 management system, significantly altering the network’s development approach. A key innovation was the introduction of commitments for implementing initiatives within the ecosystem.

This article, in collaboration with representatives from Everscale, explores how the commitment system is structured and how to apply for project funding.

What is a Commitment?

A commitment is a form of project funding approved by the Everscale Governance Board, which includes community leaders and key ecosystem participants responsible for blockchain development. The current list of participants is available on the Everscale website.

Board members have voting rights when approving transactions from the treasury (a multisig wallet). Their task is to ensure that all expenditures are justified and directed towards ecosystem development.

The Board sets funding standards and procedures, including key project requirements. A unique feature of the mechanism is the requirement for a security deposit: the applicant must pledge 10% of the requested amount.

“This step confirms the seriousness and financial capability of the initiators. For example, in the community revival project, authors transferred 2 million EVER as a deposit before requesting 20 million EVER to meet KPI,” states the Everscale blog.

A commitment is formalized as a proposal that must meet several criteria:

• Achievability — Goals should be realistic, considering available resources and technologies;  
• Time-bound — The commitment should include clear start and end dates; 
• Measurability — Project outcomes should be quantifiable;  
• Risk Management — Potential risks must be identified, and strategies to minimize them proposed;  
• Alignment with the Ecosystem — The project should contribute clearly to Everscale’s long-term development and strategic goals.

If a project fails to meet the deadlines, the security deposit is either burned or returned to the treasury. However, the team may request an extension from the Board if fulfilling the commitments requires more time than initially planned.

How to Submit a Proposal

To apply, one must fill out a brief Google form or contact a Board member directly. The member reviews the proposal, asks clarifying questions, and requests revisions if necessary. Once amended, the document is put to a vote.

“Usually, a simple majority of Board members suffices for a decision, but complex proposals may require support from two-thirds of the votes,” note Everscale representatives.

If approved, the decision is published on Everscale’s Telegram and X accounts, after which the execution phase begins. If rejected, the author may reclaim their deposit or resubmit a revised proposal after a month.

Upon project completion, the initiator must publicly demonstrate the results — either by recording a video or conducting an online broadcast.

The Everscale team advises considering the following when drafting a proposal:  

• Think of a title. It should reflect the essence of the idea. Briefly state in the title what you plan to do — improve user experience, grow the community, or create a new decentralized application;  
• Identify the problem and solution. Start by describing the problem you aim to solve with your initiative. Add context to illustrate the task’s relevance;
• Outline the commitments. Specify the concrete goals you plan to achieve. They should be measurable to help the community objectively assess whether the commitment has been fulfilled;
• Describe the action plan. Present a roadmap for project implementation. Briefly outline the key stages and steps you plan to take; 
• Formulate expected outcomes. The project should benefit the Everscale ecosystem. Describe the changes you wish to see as a result of its implementation: an increase in active users, improved network performance, or new partnerships;
• Define timelines and conditions. Indicate when the project will start and end. A realistic schedule will build trust in the initiative and show that you have thought through all the details; 
• Specify the funding amount. Determine the amount you wish to receive from the treasury, remembering the need for a 10% deposit. Rewards and deposits are paid in Everscale’s native tokens (EVER), so consider the asset’s volatility risks.

Conclusions

Commitments represent a new funding mechanism aimed at transparent and efficient resource allocation within Everscale. To obtain funds, the initiator must provide a security deposit (10% of the requested amount), confirming the seriousness of their intentions.

Anyone can participate in ecosystem development. Simply apply on the Everscale website or contact a Governance Board member directly. The key factor in approving an initiative remains its value and long-term impact on the ecosystem.