How This Proposal Can Help Unite Celo
Celo family, thank you for the thoughtful engagement so far. For me this proposal is a way to complement existing Celo efforts like Celo Public Goods, Prezenti, and the Regional DAO programs. We’re not asking to pull resources away. We want to lock value into a shared network of commitment pools so that grants, prizes, and regional funds can recycle as zero-interest credit - building durable usage and trust on Celo.
Why this brings us together
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One commons rail for many programs. Any Celo program (and their members) can apply for a zero-interest, cosmo-local credit line on the same rails.
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Accountability that strengthens the network. As long as participants fulfill their commitments—by returning what they drew or repaying in-kind—their credit line revolves. This keeps value circulating, grows TVL, and drives everyday on-chain activity.
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Inclusion beyond crypto-native circles. Universities, students, shop owners, farmers - people for whom a zero-interest line of credit can be the difference between stalling and thriving.
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Interoperable by design. Programs stay independent but interlink through shared pools, reporting, and a thin Stewardship Council—so we learn together and move faster. \
I know this can feel new or even disruptive. My belief is that all our programs thrive more when they’re connected by a simple, transparent accountability layer. I trust our stewardship and the Celo community to make this work—and I’m excited.
We haven’t gone to a vote yet; there’s time to tinker and clarify. I’d especially welcome input from @LuukDAO and @Wade, and from folks stewarding Regional DAO efforts.
**What does “cosmo-local credit” mean?
(I want to put these images right in here for some clarity.)**
(above from Cosmo-Local Credit, From the Ground Up)
In summary: You issue a digital voucher (a gift card for your goods/services) and stake it in a community commitment pool. That voucher is your collateral. You can draw what you need now (e.g., cUSD or supplies) with zero interest. Your outstanding obligation equals the value of your vouchers held by the pool. You settle by either returning what you drew (to reclaim your voucher) or another member swaps in their own voucher of equal value, takes your voucher out, and spends it with you—so the claim moves from you to them. Because vouchers (claims) can pass person-to-person, credit keeps rotating—a recyclable, interest-free loop across locally stewarded pools on Celo.
In short:
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Self-mint gift cards (IOUs) for your products/services into a shared commitment pool. (With approval)
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Access goods, services, or cUSD now—without interest.
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To settle, return what you took or let another approved member swap in their gift card and take yours. (this swapping is the key toward a flowing credit network)
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They claim your goods/services; later, someone else can take their card.
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The IOUs move around the network until fulfilled—keeping value local and usage on Celo.
P.S. I believe this pilot will show amazing TVL and Celo on-boarding and daily usage … as I have seen this method work in Kenya.
With care and solidarity,
Will R.