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
Berlin 2023
DeSci.Berlin and unding the Commons joined forces during Berlin Blockchain Week, set to in the city's vibrant tech landscape. This combined event ignited the development of new partnerships, projects, and initiatives with each day providing a distinct platform to engage with the wider blockchain and decentralized science communities.
Video coming soon!
Paris 2023
Funding the Commons, Paris was unique in its incorporation of open space technology and other unconference-style programming, in addition to engaging keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive workshops. This format enabled even more connection amongst participants, and led to the formation of new collaborations and projects.
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.
Watch Session
Previous Partners
Taipei 2023
Taipei is known as the land of digital democracy. Located in the center of Asia, Taipei presents itself with both traditional sceneries and Taipei is home to g0v, the civic tech community that plays a significant role in Taiwan’s digital democracy movement. Funding the Commons is working with da0, the web3 branch under g0v to create an one-and-only experience on public goods discussion.
During December 2023, Taipei becomes the global headquarters of the blockchain industry for one week, as it hosts Taipei Blockchain Week, the rising conference series that focuses on connecting Taiwan and global community.
As we set foot in Taipei, we will see a inspiring, innovative yet cultural environment that incubated strong public infrastructure, which creates a brand new dynamic for the 8th installment of Funding the Commons.
Let's be friends
Join us for the future
We excited 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!
2023 Protocol Labs, Inc.