FAQs
What is Funding the Commons?
Funding the Commons is a series of global events, including conferences, residencies, and hackathons, dedicated to advancing the public goods funding ecosystem through innovation on mechanism design, and incubation of new projects.
Where and when will the next Funding the Commons conference be held?
Please see our list of upcoming events. Event-specific information can be found on its event page.
Upcoming Events
What can I expect from a Funding the Commons conference?
You can expect a dynamic mix of keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and unconference-style programming that encourages interaction and collaboration. The conference is a space for learning, connecting, and meeting new collaborators.
Who should attend Funding the Commons?
Those who are contributing to the public goods movement, or interested in contributing. This includes developers, designers, blockchain protocol developers, philanthropic foundations, academics, artists, organizations engaged in open source software initiatives, government officials involved in allocation of public funds, and representatives from public goods funding projects.
What are the goals of Funding the Commons?
The primary goal of Funding the Commons is to advance the public goods funding ecosystem by incubating new projects, and propagating research & thought leadership.
How can I participate in the Funding the Commons conference?
You can participate by attending the conference, contributing to discussions and workshops, speaking, volunteering, sponsoring a conference, donating to fund our efforts, and networking with other attendees.
Are there opportunities for sponsors and partners at Funding the Commons?
Yes, we welcome sponsors and partners who align with our mission. Event-specific sponsorship applications can be found on the event pages. If you are interested in an umbrella sponsorship, please fill out an application for the first event you are interested in sponsoring.
Upcoming Events
What is the structure of the conference? Will there be keynote speakers, panels, or workshops?
The conference includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops, along with unconference-style interactive programming. The exact schedule and list of speakers of each conference is posted on a unique conference page.
Upcoming Events
Where can I see video from previous Funding the Commons talks?
Previous events and talks can be viewed on our 'Past Events' page.
Past Events
What is the "Funding the Commons Residency"?
The Funding the Commons Residency is a month-long program where a curated group of individuals work on projects to advance public goods funding infrastructure. The Residency offers an opportunity for collaboration, learning, and innovation.
What is the location of the next Residency?
The next Residency will take place in Berlin, Germany during September 2023.
Berlin Builder Residency 2023
How long is the Residency and what is the expected commitment?
The Residency is a month-long program. Participants are expected to fully commit to the Residency for the entire month, clearing their schedule to contribute to the Residency's objectives.
Berlin Builder Residency 2023
Who should apply to the Funding the Commons Residency?
Builders from public goods funding projects, freelance developers & designers.
Apply to Build With Us
How can I get involved in the Residency as a protocol, company, or organization?
We’re open to sponsorship and partnership proposals!
Email Us
What is the “Funding the Commons hackathon”?
The Funding the Commons Hackathon is a transformative event that brings together partner protocols to create an innovative and efficient decentralized funding ecosystem for public goods. It focuses on public goods funding infrastructure within the EVM ecosystem. Projects developed during the hackathon have the opportunity to receive financial support through a quantitative funding round.
Where can I learn more about the upcoming hackathon?
More information about the Funding the Commons Hackathon will be published shortly on our website and other communication channels. Stay tuned for updates!
Upcoming Events
How can I contact the organizers?
Drop us an email with your ideas, questions, proposals, and feedback!
Email Us
Previous Speakers
Previous speakers included public goods thought leaders such as Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum), Juan Benet (Protocol Labs), Kevin Owocki (Gitcoin), Karl Floersch (Optimism), Jaan Tallinn (Future of Life Institute & CSER), Tom Kalil (Schmidt Ventures), and many more.
Funding public goods — algorithms and mechanisms | November 12, 2021
Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum
Fireside Chat | March 3, 2022
Jaan Tallinn, Future of Life
Institute & CSER & Juan Benet, Protocol Labs
Decentralized investment structures for public goods and commons | June 24, 2022
Juan Benet, Protocol Labs
Recent Events
Lisbon 2022
Funding the Commons, Lisbon featured engaging keynote sessions, collaborative workshops and opportunities to network and build relationships with other members of the community who were driven to find solutions to public goods funding.
Bogota 2022
This event focused on driving group engagement and action towards the broader Funding the Commons mission of building new models of sustainable public goods funding and value alignment.
New York 2022
Funding the Commons moved to an in-person event in New York in June 2022! This 2-day summit on June 24th and 25th was for individuals and organizations building new models of sustainable public goods funding and value alignment in open source networks.
Previous Partners
Join us in Paris
The 6th edition of Funding the Commons will take place on 15-16 July with the beautiful backdrop of Paris, France. The event is hosted at the renowned Sorbonne Université, which has the distinction of being one of the two oldest universities in Europe, with origins dating back to the 12th century.
This installation of Funding the Commons is timed as the perfect complement to the Ethereum Community Conference, which takes place the following day and just a short walk from the university. Paris will be our key in-person event during 2023 and will be unique in its incorporation of open space technology and other unconference-style programming, in addition to keynote speakers and panel discussions. This format will enable even more connection amongst participants, and lead to the formation of new collaborations and projects.
Meet us in Berlin
The 7th edition of Funding the Commons will be held in Berlin on 8-9 September, set against the vibrant and innovative backdrop of Germany's capital city. This event will be held in partnership with DeSci Berlin, aligning itself with the bustling Berlin Blockchain Week.
The Berlin edition of Funding the Commons will feature a unique emphasis on builders and interactive programming. In contrast to the storied academia of our Paris event, Berlin will celebrate the hands-on spirit of creation and innovation.
Positioned as a pivotal event during Berlin Blockchain Week, Funding the Commons Berlin offers an ideal platform for participants to engage with the wider blockchain and decentralized science communities. The event is designed to catalyze the development of new partnerships and projects. Through this interactive format, Funding the Commons Berlin will champion the advancement of public goods funding in the heart of Europe's tech scene.
Let's be friends
Join us for the future
We can't wait to connect with you at our next event, but we'd rather not wait. If you support our mission and would like to get involved, please let us know how you'd prefer to participate.
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General inquiries
Please email us with any questions you have, and we look forward to speaking with you soon!
