Please describe your proposed solution.

Cardano Improvement Proposals (CIPs) represent an essential part of the Cardano ecosystem. They provide a structured method for diverse parties to propose and discuss changes to established practices and protocol, facilitating interoperability across tools and interfaces. Notably, a significant portion of these proposals deal with NFT-related issues.

Between August and November 2022, the NFT Guild made significant strides towards supporting these NFT-related proposals. We hired Filip Blagojević as a dedicated CIP editor to concentrate on drafting and reviewing CIPs specifically relating to the NFT ecosystem. Unfortunately, resource constraints halted this initiative prematurely. But, recognizing the potential and need for such an initiative, we aim to reboot it with the assistance of Catalyst.

The NFT Guild plans to recruit and hire a highly skilled technical individual from within the Cardano community. This individual, ideally equipped with a deep understanding of both CIPs and NFT technical specifications, standards, and best practices, will become a dedicated NFT CIP editor. This role includes participating in official CIP editor meetings and conducting in-depth analyses of NFT-related CIPs. This will relieve some of the workload from the existing group of CIP editors.

In addition, we will host regular review calls focused on NFT CIPs. These calls will welcome participation from anyone in the community and will be recorded, transcribed, and widely disseminated across our social channels.

Our proposed solution unfolds in five steps:

1. NFT Guild core members recruit the NFT CIP editor, advertising the position and interviewing suitable candidates.
2. The newly hired CIP editor reviews NFT-related CIPs, with a focus on new proposals.
3. The CIP editor produces a report detailing key takeaways from the reviewed CIPs and suggests improvements.
4. Guild members and the CIP editor hold regular meetings to discuss new reports—these meetings are open to the community.
5. The guild announces and publishes the recording and transcript of the meeting on its website and social channels.

Our approach addresses the need for dedicated attention to NFT-related CIPs, which are currently numerous and critical to the Cardano ecosystem. By focusing specifically on this niche, we can ensure that these CIPs are thoroughly reviewed and that their authors receive robust, specialized support. This project will engage the wider Cardano community, CIP authors, and the existing team of CIP editors, and we will demonstrate our impact through regular reports and community meetings.

Our solution is unique in its focused attention on NFT-related CIPs and its aim to bolster support for their authors. It will primarily benefit the authors of these CIPs, the broader Cardano community interested in NFTs, and the existing team of CIP editors. By enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the review process for NFT-related CIPs, our project will ultimately contribute to the overall evolution and maturity of the Cardano ecosystem.

How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

Our proposed solution directly addresses the challenge by refining and enhancing the process of creating and reviewing Cardano Improvement Proposals (CIPs). By providing a dedicated NFT CIP editor, we not only streamline the review process but also offer robust support to developers in the ecosystem who are proposing changes or improvements related to NFTs.

The benefits this proposal brings to the Cardano ecosystem are multifold:

• Enhanced Developer Support: By offering a dedicated CIP editor specifically for NFT-related proposals, we ensure that developers are provided with focused and specialized attention and support. This would significantly improve their experience and ease the process of proposing improvements or changes to the NFT ecosystem.
• Streamlined Process: Our proposal aims to optimize the CIP review process, ensuring that NFT-related proposals are given the timely and thorough attention they require. By relieving some of the workload from the existing group of CIP editors, we make the system more efficient and effective.
• Increased Community Engagement: By hosting regular review calls that are open to the wider community, we aim to promote transparency and inclusivity. This not only encourages more community members to participate but also fosters a sense of community involvement in the improvement of the Cardano ecosystem.
• Promotion of Open Source: As we plan to widely disseminate the recordings and transcripts of our meetings across our social channels, we are advocating for open-source ideals. This aligns with the challenge's focus on incentivizing open-source projects.

We anticipate that our proposal will lead to an increase in the number of NFT-related CIPs, given the enhanced support structure and streamlined process. We also expect a rise in community engagement. In the long term, the successful implementation of this proposal can attract more developers to the Cardano ecosystem, further strengthening its growth and evolution.

How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

The success of our project can be gauged through both quantitative and qualitative metrics that assess the impact on the Cardano ecosystem's productivity growth, and the experiences of its developer community. Here are some key metrics we would use to measure the success of our project:

Number of NFT-related CIPs Reviewed: This is a direct measure of the productivity of our dedicated NFT CIP editor. A steady or increasing number of reviews indicates an efficient process and active engagement with the NFT developer community.

Community Engagement Metrics: By tracking the number of participants in our regular NFT CIP review calls and the level of engagement on our social media posts, we can gauge the interest and involvement of the Cardano developer community in the process.

By measuring these key performance indicators, we can make data-driven decisions and improve. Furthermore, regular reporting of these metrics would ensure transparency and keep the community engaged in the project's progress. We believe these measures are realistic and align well with our project goals and the broader goals of the Cardano ecosystem.

Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

We are committed to keeping the Cardano community informed about the progress and outcomes of our project. Here are our plans to disseminate our project outputs and results:

Regular Community Updates: We will share regular updates on the progress of our project, including the number of NFT-related CIPs reviewed and insights gained through the review process, via our social media channels and on the Guild's website. We will also provide updates in our NFT CIP review calls which are open to the community.

Publicly Available Reports: The reports prepared by our dedicated CIP editor, outlining key takeaways and suggestions for improvement of NFT-related CIPs, will be made publicly available, most likely in the form of GitHub posts, directly on the CIP page itself. This would allow all interested parties to gain insights and learn from the review process.

Recordings and Transcriptions of Review Calls: Our NFT CIP review calls will be recorded and transcribed. These recordings and transcriptions will be made available on our website and social channels, providing an accessible way for the community to engage with our work even if they can't attend the calls in real time.

Open Engagement with the Community: We encourage the community to engage with us. Feedback, suggestions, and discussions will not only be welcome but will be actively sought. This open engagement will help us refine our processes and enhance the value we deliver to the Cardano ecosystem.

Our project's outputs, particularly the insights and learnings from the review process, will be a valuable resource for future research and development activities. We expect the results generated from our project to inform and inspire further improvements in the NFT space within the Cardano ecosystem. It's our hope that this initiative will help foster an even more vibrant and innovative NFT development community on the Cardano blockchain.

What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

The NFT Guild is dedicated to developing standards and building tools for the Cardano NFT community.

Founded by the Cardano Foundation in November 2021, the NFT Guild is now spearheaded by dedicated Cardano community members. Our team stands out because of its diversity, boasting a range of backgrounds and areas of expertise that include developers, stake pool operators (SPOs), artists, NFT project creators, community managers, and organizers. (More details below)

From August to November 2022, the NFT Guild enlisted the services of Filip Blagojević as a dedicated CIP editor. His role primarily entailed drafting and reviewing CIPs that specifically related to the NFT ecosystem. While this initiative made substantial progress, we had to end it prematurely due to a resource constraint. However, now, with the support of Project Catalyst, we aim to revive this initiative and fulfill its true potential.

We have a proven track record of successfully organising events for the Cardano NFT community for over a year and a half. We started hosting the NFT Guild Open Community Weekly Calls in January 2022 and the NFT Roundtables in May 2022.

We were successfully funded for two standard setting proposals in Catalyst Fund 8, which we have successfully delivered on and closed out.

Standard for verification of NFTs:

<https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/8/f8-open-standards-and-interoperability/standard-for-verification-of-nfts>

NFT Royalty Standards:

<https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/8/f8-open-standards-and-interoperability/nft-guild-nft-royalty-standards>

We have robust processes in place to ensure proper management and accountability of funds. We have created a dedicated system for tracking the contributions of each guild member. All fund movements are transparently tracked in dedicated channels in our Discord server: <https://discord.gg/7HCxDryPHk>

Our operations are transparent, and we maintain an open line of communication with the community and stakeholders at all times. This approach has earned us the trust of the Cardano community, and we remain committed to maintaining these high standards on this new project.

What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

The main goals for our project are as follows:

1. Reinstate and sustain a dedicated NFT CIP editor role: Our first and foremost goal is to employ a dedicated CIP editor for NFT-related proposals.
2. Increase the quality and quantity of NFT-related CIPs: With a dedicated CIP editor in place and an active support structure, we expect to see a rise in the number of high-quality CIPs. This would in turn facilitate the creation of better NFT standards and foster the growth of the Cardano NFT ecosystem.
3. Drive the adoption of NFT standards within the Cardano ecosystem: By facilitating the creation of robust NFT standards, we aim to encourage their adoption across the ecosystem. Widespread adoption of these standards would enhance the interoperability and usability of NFTs on Cardano.
4. Foster an active and engaged NFT developer community: We aim to make the NFT Guild a hub for NFT developers where they can freely exchange ideas, ask questions, and collaborate on CIPs. By offering a platform where developers feel valued and heard, we believe we can spur more innovation and activity within the NFT ecosystem.

To validate if our approach is feasible and our goals are being achieved, we plan to use the following measures:

For Goal 1: We will track the hiring of the dedicated NFT CIP editor and monitor their activity, including the number of CIPs they review and contribute to.

For Goal 2: We will track the number of NFT-related CIPs being submitted and approved, as well as the feedback received from the developer community regarding the quality of these CIPs.

For Goal 3: We will monitor the adoption of new NFT standards within the Cardano ecosystem, which can be measured by the number of projects implementing these standards.

For Goal 4: We will monitor engagement metrics within the NFT Guild, such as the number of active participants in our community calls, the number of new developers joining the Guild, and the level of engagement in our social channels.

As this project involves community engagement and collaboration, we believe that continuous feedback from the community will be critical for validating the feasibility of our approach.

Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestone 1: Hiring of Dedicated NFT CIP Editor (Estimated Duration: 1 Month)

Tasks/Activities:

1. Draft and publish job description
2. Review applications and conduct interviews
3. Onboard selected candidate

Success Criteria: Successful hiring of a CIP editor dedicated to NFT-related proposals.

Milestone 2: Training and Integration of CIP Editor (Estimated Duration: 1 Month)

Tasks/Activities:

1. Provide detailed training to the editor about the Cardano ecosystem, CIP process, and NFT standards
2. Integrate the editor into the NFT Guild's ongoing activities

Success Criteria:

The editor begins actively reviewing and contributing to CIPs.

Milestone 3: Review and Improvement of New & Existing NFT CIPs (Estimated Duration: 3 Months)

Tasks/Activities:

1. The editor reviews existing NFT-related CIPs
2. Provide constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement
3. Actively contribute to the improvement of these CIPs
4. Engage with the developer community to encourage new CIP submissions
5. Provide support and feedback to developers working on new CIPs

Success Criteria:

Demonstrated progress in the quality of existing NFT-related CIPs and an increase in the quantity and quality of new NFT-related CIP submissions.

Milestone 4: Continuation of Review and Improvement of NFT CIPs (Second Phase, Estimated Duration: 3 Months)

Tasks/Activities:

1. Continue the review of existing NFT-related CIPs
2. Continue providing constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement
3. Actively contribute to the improvement of these CIPs
4. Maintain engagement with the developer community to encourage new CIP submissions
5. Continue providing support and feedback to developers working on new CIPs

Success Criteria:

Further progress in the quality of existing NFT-related CIPs and sustained increase in the quantity and quality of new NFT-related CIP submissions.

The project will be implemented over the course of 8 months.

This plan is designed to be iterative and adaptable, allowing for continuous improvement and response to feedback and changing circumstances within the Cardano ecosystem. Regular updates and transparency are built into the project's structure, ensuring community involvement and accountability throughout the project's lifespan.

Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone 1: Hiring of Dedicated NFT CIP Editor

Deliverables:

1. A comprehensive job description for the NFT CIP editor position.
2. A shortlist of potential candidates.
3. A finalized agreement with the selected candidate.

Outputs:

A completed hiring process resulting in the onboarding of a qualified NFT CIP editor.

Intended Outcomes:

The NFT Guild has a dedicated CIP editor focused on NFT-related proposals.

This marks the initial step towards improving the quality and quantity of NFT-related CIPs within the Cardano ecosystem.

Milestone 2: Training and Integration of CIP Editor

Deliverables:

1. Completed integration of the CIP editor into the NFT Guild's ongoing activities, following a tailored training program focused on the Cardano ecosystem, CIP process, and NFT standards.

Outputs:

A well-trained and integrated CIP editor who is prepared to engage with the community and support the CIP development process.

Intended Outcomes:

The editor begins actively reviewing and contributing to CIPs.

This phase ensures that the editor is well equipped to handle the upcoming tasks effectively.

Milestone 3: Review and Improvement of New and Existing NFT CIPs (First Phase)

Deliverables:

1. Detailed feedback reports on existing NFT-related CIPs.
2. Suggestions and contributions to improve the existing CIPs.
3. An increase in the number of new, high-quality NFT-related CIP submissions.
4. Recordings and transcripts of CIP review calls.

Outputs:

Progress in the quality and quantity of NFT-related CIPs.

Intended Outcomes:

Existing NFT-related CIPs are improved, and new high-quality CIPs are submitted, contributing to the robustness of NFT standards within the Cardano ecosystem.

Milestone 4: Continuation of Review and Improvement of NFT CIPs (Second Phase)

Deliverables:

1. Continued feedback reports on existing NFT-related CIPs.
2. Continued contributions to improving the existing CIPs.
3. Sustained increase in the number of new, high-quality NFT-related CIP submissions.
4. Recordings and transcripts of CIP review calls.

Outputs:

Further progress in the quality and quantity of NFT-related CIPs.

Intended Outcomes:

NFT-related CIPs continue to improve, and new high-quality CIPs are regularly submitted, solidifying and expanding the NFT standards within the Cardano ecosystem.

Progress will be tracked through regular reports and updates. We will measure it by the quality and quantity of CIPs reviewed, improved, and submitted, as well as the level of engagement and feedback from the developer community.

Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

After consultations with the former NFT Guild CIP editor, Filip Blagojević, we determined that the scope of the work described in this proposal would require around 3 hours/day to complete. That equates to around 60 hours per month, a total of 360 for the 6 months of CIP editor work described in this proposal. The consultations also helped us decide on an appropriate hourly rate for the CIP editor.

As a compliment to the activities of the CIP editor, the NFT Guild members will need to perform a series of additional tasks before and after the editor is recruited (time estimates included in brackets):

• Advertise for the CIP editor position
• Interviews with suitable CIP editor candidates
• Onboarding and training new CIP editor
• Hosting bi-weekly NFT CIP editor review calls and preparations
• Transcribe and publish recordings of the Calls
• Catalyst Administrative Tasks (monthly reports + milestone proof of achievement submissions + closeout report)

We will also add an amount of 5000 ADA for contingency planning.

TOTAL = 196200

Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

The NFT Guild core team is a global team comprised of individuals with a diverse set of skills and backgrounds. Our members are spread across various time zones and can offer a broad range of expertise in Cardano and NFTs, covering areas like development, stake pool operations, art, NFT project creation, community management, organization and project Catalyst.

The NFT Guild Core members are:

CENT

<https://github.com/cent-development>

Stake Pool operator of the pool CENT since December 2019. 20 years of experience in software development. Creator of the community tool Cardano Blockchain Intelligence. Graduate of the Plutus Pioneers Program cohort 1, 2021. Project Catalyst funded proposer since F6.

Anamaria Kövesdi (New Mindflow)

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/anamaria-k%C3%B6vesdi-354649106/>

Rares Kövesdi (New Mindflow)

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/rares-k%C3%B6vesdi-551260106/>

New Mindflow [https://www.newmindflow.com] are:

Artist and entrepreneur, in the Cardano NFT space since Day 1. Creators of the Trybbles & Icons Cardano NFT projects. Cardano Project Catalyst funded proposers. Members in various Cardano & Catalyst projects, initiatives & communities over the past 2 and a half years.

Award-winning filmmakers, film and animation directors, app and game developers.

In January 2021 they moved into the web3 economy granting new life to one of their projects in the form of an NFT collection on Cardano.

Since then they have released multiple art NFT collections on Cardano, and have been involved in multiple NFT and Cardano related groups and organisations, most notably being core members of the NFT Guild. They have been invited to be among the Genesis Artists of Fibo - the Emurgo NFT Marketplace at its launch in 2022.

Peter Wolcott

Peter is an IT Journeyman Wizard & custom(er) service provider. For fun, he hikes in his local ridges, tends a small menagerie, enjoys global community, ecstatic dance and manages a rental property. Peter believes strong, healthy communities and networks are the world's best resource. He is dedicated to unblocking fellow builders by creating opportunities and following through with personal promises. He is a student of humanity’s systems and infrastructure. Peter earns experience daily in the Cardano Ecosystem and has for the past 2 years.

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wolcott-013358141/>

How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The proposed budget for this project reflects the substantial amount of work that will be carried out to improve the quality and quantity of NFT-related CIPs in the Cardano ecosystem.

The cost mainly consists of the compensation for a dedicated NFT CIP editor, who will be responsible for reviewing, improving, and contributing to the development of NFT standards. The hourly rate for this role is based on the average salary for similar roles in the blockchain industry, taking into account the specific expertise required for NFT-related work and was set after consultation with the NFT Guild’s previous CIP editor.

Additionally, the budget includes the cost of recruiting the CIP editor and organizing regular community calls and other engagement activities to foster a thriving NFT developer community. This includes the costs of facilitating, recording, transcribing and publishing these calls.

By improving the NFT standards, we believe that this project will contribute to the growth and innovation within the Cardano NFT ecosystem, attracting more developers and projects to the platform. Therefore, the cost of the project can be considered an investment in the future development and success of NFTs on Cardano.