I fully support @WillRuddick’s call to action. Rene’s Vision 2030 speaks of building “new systems, not replicating old ones” and being “values-driven stewards.” Marek’s reflection on Celo as a cultural extension of Ethereum also emphasizes our regenerative principles and real-world impact. I believe these values should guide how we allocate community resources.
I’ve heard concerns from former CeloPG stewards, at least one has stepped away from the public goods funding space entirely because of what they observed. These concerns deserve to be taken seriously, and I hope those affected will feel welcome to share their perspectives when they’re ready.
As co-founder of GainForest, an Ethereum Next Billion Fellow that has onboarded communities around the world to Celo, advocated and build on Celo, and brought core infrastructure and partnerships like Hypercerts, EAS and Splits to our ecosystem, I’ve experienced this directly: governance uncertainty and lack of accountability carry reputational costs that extend beyond Celo. These issues have directly affected my ability to form partnerships, attract and retain talent for Celo, and plan long-term initiatives. They shape what we can build and who chooses to build with us.
Thus, I’d welcome a comprehensive transparency review of community funds, including an audit of fund utilization and a clear conflict of interest policy. This would help ensure we’re living up to the values we communicate and strengthen community trust in our governance processes.
David Dao
Co-Founder, GainForest