Please describe your proposed solution.

Our proposed solution aims to extend the Clarity Protocol by leveraging the robust capabilities of Agora-based governance. We will introduce a seamless and user-friendly mechanism that empowers users to delegate their voting power effectively. This enhancement will ensure a more inclusive and dynamic decision-making process within decentralized organizations built on the Clarity Protocol.

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

Our proposed solution directly addresses the challenges faced by Cardano by extending the Clarity Protocol. By incorporating the functionality of vote delegation through liquid democracy, we provide superior features to those offered on other chains. This enhanced protocol becomes an effective collaboration management platform, enabling seamless organization of community intentions and actions within Cardano DAOs.

The benefits this solution brings to the Cardano ecosystem are numerous. Firstly, it provides distinct advantages by offering new and essential tools that are currently unavailable. This strengthens Cardano's position as a leading blockchain platform for decentralized governance.

Additionally, the extended Clarity Protocol empowers prospective organizations to evaluate the features available in Cardano DAOs, showcasing the platform's capabilities for effective decision-making, operation, and governance. This fosters trust and attracts a wide range of entities, from small businesses to global communities, who can rely on Cardano DAOs as the ultimate solution for managing their decentralized organizations.

By fulfilling these objectives, our solution ensures that Cardano DAOs deliver unparalleled management capabilities, solidifying Cardano's position as the go-to platform for successful DAO implementation and fostering a thriving ecosystem of collaborative communities.

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

To measure the success of our project, we will focus on the following key metrics:

1. Successful Technical Implementation: We will evaluate the implementation process of extending the Clarity Protocol to include vote delegation functionality. The successful deployment and integration of this feature within the protocol will be a primary indicator of project success.
2. Adoption and User Engagement: We will track the number of users who choose to delegate their votes within organizations utilizing the extended Clarity Protocol. This metric will reflect the level of user acceptance and engagement with the new functionality. Higher adoption rates will indicate a positive response from the community.
3. Impact on Decision-Making: We will analyze the number and significance of decisions made within organizations where vote delegation played a role in the outcome. This will help us understand the practical impact and effectiveness of the vote delegation feature in facilitating more inclusive and well-informed decision-making processes.

By monitoring these metrics, we can assess the overall success and effectiveness of our project. Positive results in terms of technical implementation, user adoption, and tangible outcomes of decision-making processes will demonstrate the value and impact of extending the Clarity Protocol with vote delegation functionality.

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

We have comprehensive plans to share the outputs and results of our project with the Cardano community and beyond. Here's an overview of our dissemination strategy:'

1. Regular Development Updates: We will provide frequent updates on the progress of our project through various communication channels. This includes sharing development milestones, implementation updates, and any significant achievements or challenges encountered during the process. These updates will keep the community informed about the project's status and allow for feedback and engagement.
2. Documentation: We will prepare detailed documentation that outlines the extended Clarity Protocol and its new features, specifically focusing on the vote delegation functionality. This documentation will provide comprehensive explanations, usage guidelines, and technical specifications. It will be made available publicly, ensuring transparency and accessibility for developers, users, and interested stakeholders.
3. Community Calls and Workshops: We will conduct regular community calls and workshops to engage directly with the Cardano community. These interactive sessions will serve as opportunities to present and demonstrate the extended Clarity Protocol, including the vote delegation feature. We will encourage participants to ask questions, provide feedback, and actively participate in discussions to foster a collaborative environment.
4. Public Demonstrations and Showcases: We will organize public demonstrations and showcases to highlight the practical applications and benefits of the extended Clarity Protocol. These events may include live demonstrations, presentations, and use case scenarios that illustrate how the vote delegation functionality enhances decentralized governance. These demonstrations will be accessible to the wider blockchain community and potential users.
5. Online Channels and Social Media: We will leverage online channels and social media platforms to disseminate information about our project. This includes publishing blog posts, articles, and announcements on relevant platforms. Engaging with the community through social media platforms will further amplify our message and encourage participation and feedback.

By utilizing these strategies, we aim to ensure broad visibility and understanding of the outputs and results of our project, fostering engagement, collaboration, and adoption within the Cardano community and the wider blockchain ecosystem.

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

Our team has a proven track record of delivering on proposals within the Cardano ecosystem, as demonstrated by our past participation and successful outcomes in Cardano Project Catalyst. We understand the significance of trust and accountability in executing projects, especially when it involves sensitive aspects such as DAO treasuries and staking.

Notably, our team has delivered on the Clarity DAO Infrastructure proposal which was passed in Fund9. (https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/9/f9-daos-less3-cardano/clarity-dao-infrastructure) With the Clarity DAO infrastructure, users are able to create an on-chain organization with custom governance rules, create automatically executing smart contract based proposals, and cast on-chain votes for these proposals. This proposal aims to extend the functionality of the Clarity DAO infrastructure to enable liquid democracy and vote delegation for organization built using the infrastructure.

Here's how our team ensures high levels of trust and accountability in project delivery:

Experience and Expertise:

• Our team members possess extensive experience and expertise in their respective domains, including decentralized governance, smart contract development, UI/UX design, and Cardano ecosystem integration.
• We have a deep understanding of the underlying technology and best practices, enabling us to make informed decisions and deliver reliable solutions.

Transparent Communication:

• We prioritize transparent and open communication with all stakeholders, including the Cardano community, DAO organizations, and project funders.
• We provide regular updates, progress reports, and hold interactive sessions to address questions, gather feedback, and ensure alignment with project goals.

Commitment to Documentation:

• We recognize the importance of thorough documentation to maintain transparency and accountability.
• Our team produces comprehensive documentation, including technical specifications, user guides, and project reports, which are made available to stakeholders to review and verify the project's progress.

Community Engagement:

• We actively engage with the Cardano community to foster trust and accountability.
• Through community meetups, forums, and social media channels, we encourage open dialogue, gather feedback, and incorporate community perspectives into our decision-making processes.

Adherence to Best Practices and Standards:

• We follow industry best practices, adhere to established standards, and conduct thorough testing and security audits to ensure the reliability and robustness of our solutions.
• We prioritize the security of DAO treasuries and stake pool operations, implementing safeguards and risk mitigation strategies to protect funds and maintain trust.

Past Success and References:

• Our successful track record in delivering on previous proposals in Cardano Project Catalyst serves as a testament to our ability to fulfill our commitments and achieve desired outcomes.
• We can provide references and testimonials from previous collaborators, stakeholders, and community members to vouch for our trustworthiness and accountability.

By combining our experience, transparent communication, documentation practices, community engagement, adherence to standards, and past successes, we are confident in our capability to deliver the proposed project with high levels of trust and accountability.

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

The main goals of our project are as follows:

1. Enable Non-Technical and User-Friendly Vote Delegation: Our primary goal is to extend the Clarity Protocol to allow for easy and accessible vote delegation within organizations built on the protocol. We aim to develop a user-friendly interface that empowers users, regardless of technical expertise, to delegate their voting power effectively. This will enhance the participation and engagement of users in decentralized organizations.
2. Feasibility Validation: To validate the feasibility of our approach, we rely on the underlying Agora governance infrastructure, which the Clarity Protocol extends. Agora already supports liquid democracy, providing a solid foundation for implementing vote delegation. By leveraging and building upon this existing infrastructure, we can confidently ensure that our proposed solution is feasible and technically viable.
3. Share and Educate on DAO Creation, Participation, and Management: Another key goal is to share knowledge and educate the Cardano community and beyond about the possibilities and benefits of decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) creation, participation, and management on the Cardano platform. We will actively engage in sharing information, conducting workshops, and providing resources to showcase the potential of Cardano's DAO capabilities.

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will conduct thorough testing and iterations during the development phase. This includes rigorous testing of the extended Clarity Protocol, assessing its functionality, usability, and security. User feedback and engagement will also play a crucial role in validating the feasibility of the vote delegation feature.

We will collaborate closely with the Cardano community, seeking input and insights from stakeholders, developers, and users to validate the feasibility and desirability of our approach. By actively involving the community in the development process, we can ensure that our solution aligns with their needs and expectations.

Ultimately, the successful implementation of non-technical and user-friendly vote delegation, along with positive user feedback and adoption, will serve as key indicators of the feasibility and effectiveness 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.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the project milestones, including the main tasks or activities and the expected timeline for each milestone delivery:

Milestone 1: Technical Spec

• Task 1: Conduct in-depth analysis of the Clarity Protocol and its current infrastructure.
• Task 2: Research and document the requirements and specifications for extending the protocol to support vote delegation.
• Task 3: Collaborate with the development team to define the technical implementation plan.

Milestone 2: Create and Reveal API for Front-end Integration

• Task 1: Develop and implement the necessary APIs and protocols to enable seamless integration with the front-end interface.
• Task 2: Test and validate the API functionality and ensure compatibility with the existing Clarity Protocol infrastructure.
• Task 3: Release and reveal the API documentation for developers to integrate the extended functionality into their front-end applications.

Milestone 3: Front-end Implementation for User-Friendly Delegation

• Task 1: Design and develop an intuitive and user-friendly interface for users to delegate their voting power within organizations.
• Task 2: Implement the necessary functionalities, such as selecting delegates, managing delegation preferences, and tracking delegated votes.
• Task 3: Conduct thorough testing and debugging to ensure a smooth and seamless user experience.

Milestone 4: Documentation

• Task 1: Prepare comprehensive documentation that outlines the extended Clarity Protocol and the newly added vote delegation functionality.
• Task 2: Document the technical specifications, API usage, and integration guidelines for developers.
• Task 3: Create user guides and tutorials to educate users on how to effectively delegate their voting power using the Clarity Protocol.

Milestone 5: Workshops and Community Feedback

• Task 1: Organize workshops and community calls to showcase the extended Clarity Protocol and gather feedback from the Cardano community.
• Task 2: Engage in open discussions and collect input on the user experience, functionality, and any potential improvements or adjustments needed.
• Task 3: Analyze the feedback received and iterate on the implementation if necessary to address the community's suggestions and concerns. Ongoing throughout the project duration with specific workshop sessions scheduled periodically.

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

Milestone 1: Technical Spec

Deliverables:

• Detailed analysis of the Clarity Protocol and its infrastructure.
• Documentation outlining the requirements and specifications for extending the protocol to support vote delegation.

Outputs:

• A clear understanding of the technical aspects and feasibility of implementing vote delegation within the Clarity Protocol.

Intended Outcomes:

• A well-defined plan for the development team to proceed with the implementation of the extended functionality.
• Alignment on the technical requirements and specifications among the project stakeholders.

Milestone 2: Create and Reveal API for Front-end Integration

Deliverables:

• Developed APIs and protocols for seamless integration of the extended functionality with the front-end interface.
• API documentation and guidelines for developers.

Outputs:

• Fully functional APIs that allow developers to integrate the vote delegation feature into their front-end applications.

Intended Outcomes:

• Increased accessibility and ease of integration for developers.
• Availability of the necessary tools for developers to start implementing vote delegation within their applications.

Milestone 3: Front-end Implementation for User-Friendly Delegation

Deliverables:

• User-friendly interface design for voting power delegation.
• Implemented functionalities for selecting delegates, managing delegation preferences, and tracking delegated votes.

Outputs:

• A user-friendly front-end interface enabling users to delegate their voting power effectively.

Intended Outcomes:

• Improved user experience and engagement within organizations built on the Clarity Protocol.
• Increased participation and involvement of users in decentralized decision-making processes.

Milestone 4: Documentation

Deliverables:

• Comprehensive documentation explaining the extended Clarity Protocol and vote delegation functionality.
• Technical specifications, API usage, and integration guidelines for developers.

Outputs:

• Detailed documentation accessible to developers and users, providing guidance on utilizing the extended functionality.

Intended Outcomes:

• Enhanced understanding of the extended Clarity Protocol and its features among developers and users.
• Smooth adoption and implementation of vote delegation within organizations using the Clarity Protocol.

Milestone 5: Workshops and Community Feedback

Deliverables:

• Organized workshops and community calls to showcase the extended Clarity Protocol and gather feedback.
• Documented feedback and insights from the Cardano community.

Outputs:

• Community engagement and feedback on the functionality, user experience, and potential improvements.

Intended Outcomes:

• Iterative improvements to address community suggestions and concerns.
• Validation and refinement of the extended Clarity Protocol based on real-world usage and community feedback.

These deliverables, outputs, and intended outcomes collectively contribute to the successful implementation, adoption, and positive impact of the extended Clarity Protocol with vote delegation functionality within the Cardano ecosystem.

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

The estimated time to complete this project is 160 hours.

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Developer Costs = $60 per hour

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Estimated $9600 to complete

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If ADA is $0.3 then 32,000 ADA is needed to fund this project

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Hourly breakdown for each task below:

========================

Milestone 1: Technical Spec

• Task 1: Conduct in-depth analysis of the Clarity Protocol and its current infrastructure. (10 hours)
• Task 2: Research and document the requirements and specifications for extending the protocol to support vote delegation. (10 hours)
• Task 3: Collaborate with the development team to define the technical implementation plan. (10 hours)

=============================

Milestone 2: Create and Reveal API for Front-end Integration

• Task 1: Develop and implement the necessary APIs and protocols to enable seamless integration with the front-end interface. (20 hours)
• Task 2: Test and validate the API functionality and ensure compatibility with the existing Clarity Protocol infrastructure. (10 hours)
• Task 3: Release and reveal the API documentation for developers to integrate the extended functionality into their front-end applications. (5 hours)

===========================

Milestone 3: Front-end Implementation for User-Friendly Delegation

• Task 1: Design and develop an intuitive and user-friendly interface for users to delegate their voting power within organizations. (25 hours)
• Task 2: Implement the necessary functionalities, such as selecting delegates, managing delegation preferences, and tracking delegated votes. (10 hours)
• Task 3: Conduct thorough testing and debugging to ensure a smooth and seamless user experience. (20 hours)

=========================

Milestone 4: Documentation

• Task 1: Prepare comprehensive documentation that outlines the extended Clarity Protocol and the newly added vote delegation functionality. (5 hours)
• Task 2: Document the technical specifications, API usage, and integration guidelines for developers. (5 hours)
• Task 3: Create user guides and tutorials to educate users on how to effectively delegate their voting power using the Clarity Protocol. (10 hours)

==========================

Milestone 5: Workshops and Community Feedback

• Task 1: Organize workshops and community calls to showcase the extended Clarity Protocol and gather feedback from the Cardano community. (5 hours)
• Task 2: Engage in open discussions and collect input on the user experience, functionality, and any potential improvements or adjustments needed. (5 hours)
• Task 3: Analyze the feedback received and iterate on the implementation if necessary to address the community's suggestions and concerns. (10 hours)

Ongoing throughout the project duration with specific workshop sessions scheduled periodically.

================================

160 Hours Total Estimated

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

The Clarity Protocol represents a collaboration between two esteemed entities, Clear Contracts and MLabs. Our team comprises talented individuals who possess a diverse range of expertise and a shared commitment to delivering on this proposal. Allow us to introduce the key members and outline their qualifications:

1. Logan Panchot: As a co-founder of Clear Contracts, Logan spearheads business development efforts. His deep-rooted belief in the significance of decentralized governance and finance fuels his dedication to creating transparent and resilient organizations operating on decentralized systems. Logan recently completed his studies at Stanford University, majoring in Science, Technology, and Society with a concentration in innovation and organization.
2. Justin Schreiner: Serving as a co-founder of Clear Contracts, Justin brings his extensive experience in UI/UX development to the team. With a full-stack development background, he possesses a solid track record of successfully delivering Cardano dApps over the past two years.
3. Matt Laux: Joining Clear Contracts as an Engineer, Matt assumes responsibility for smart contract and front-end integrations. His proficiency as a full-stack developer has been instrumental in various projects, including the creation of a lightweight snapshot voting app for Cardano Projects and the Clarity Protocol. Matt has been an invaluable addition to the team, contributing his expertise for the past eight months.
4. Tomasz Maciosowski: Leading the Plutus development efforts for the Clarity team, Tomasz boasts over a year of experience as the Plutus lead on the project. With a robust background in building on Cardano and two years of experience in the field, Tomasz plays a crucial role in ensuring the success and innovation of the Clarity Protocol.

Together, this skilled and dedicated team combines their expertise in business development, UI/UX development, smart contract integration, and Plutus development to drive the implementation and delivery of the proposed features. With their collective experience and passion for decentralized systems, the team is poised to bring the Clarity Protocol to fruition and advance the future of decentralized governance and finance.

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

The cost of the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem through several key aspects:

1. Enhanced Functionality: By extending the Clarity Protocol to include vote delegation, the project adds significant value to the Cardano ecosystem. This new functionality empowers users to participate more actively in decentralized organizations and promotes efficient decision-making processes. The value generated by enabling vote delegation outweighs the cost of the project, as it enhances the overall utility and attractiveness of Cardano for individuals and organizations.
2. Competitive Advantage: The project's implementation of vote delegation functionality provides Cardano with a competitive advantage over other blockchain platforms. It positions Cardano as a leading ecosystem for decentralized governance, offering superior features and tools for managing decentralized organizations. This competitive advantage attracts developers, users, and organizations to the Cardano ecosystem, further driving its growth and success.
3. Long-Term Sustainability: Investing in the project contributes to the long-term sustainability of the Cardano ecosystem. By continuously improving and expanding the functionality of the Clarity Protocol, Cardano maintains its relevance and appeal in a rapidly evolving blockchain landscape. This investment ensures that Cardano remains a top choice for individuals and organizations seeking robust and user-friendly decentralized governance solutions.
4. Community Engagement and Adoption: The project's focus on user-friendly vote delegation enhances user engagement and adoption within the Cardano community. By enabling non-technical users to easily delegate their voting power, the project lowers barriers to entry and encourages broader participation. Increased community engagement fosters a vibrant ecosystem, strengthens network effects, and builds a loyal and supportive Cardano community.
5. Return on Investment: The value generated by the extended Clarity Protocol, in terms of increased participation, improved decision-making, and community growth, contributes to a positive return on investment for the Cardano ecosystem. The benefits derived from the project, such as increased adoption and ecosystem expansion, outweigh the initial cost incurred.

In summary, the cost of the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem by delivering enhanced functionality, competitive advantage, long-term sustainability, community engagement, and a positive return on investment. The project's outcomes and impact align with the strategic goals of Cardano, further solidifying its position as a leading blockchain platform for decentralized governance.