Please describe your proposed solution.
> TLDR / Summary:
> dRepWatch is a proposed web platform addressing transparency, accessibility, engagement, and accountability issues in decentralized systems.
>
> It will allow users to interact directly with dReps, observe their voting behaviour, and access on-chain data about their governance participation.
>
> The platform, inspired by abgeordnetenwatch.de, will be developed by Patrick, founder of NMKR, and his team.
Firstly, the problems we are tackling in more detail:
- Lack of Transparency: By providing information about dReps' voting records, side tasks, and income from the network, a platform similar to dRepWatch could help increase transparency in the decentralized system. This allows participants to make more informed decisions when voting for or delegating authority to their dReps and to hold these representatives accountable for their actions.
- Limited Access to dReps: In many decentralized systems, ordinary participants may find it difficult to communicate directly with their elected dReps. A platform like dRepWatch could provide a means for participants to ask questions to their representatives publicly, making dReps more accessible to the community.
- Low Engagement in Governance: By facilitating direct communication between participants and dReps, a platform like dRepWatch could help increase engagement in the governance of the decentralized system. When participants see that they can directly interact with their representatives, they may be more likely to take an active role in governance.
- Accountability: The platform would allow participants to publicly ask questions, which means dReps' responses (or lack thereof) are visible to everyone. This public scrutiny can help hold dReps accountable for their positions and promises.
- Information Asymmetry: During delegation periods, participants often struggle to find reliable and comprehensive information about potential dReps. A platform like dRepWatch could provide a centralized place where participants can find detailed information about dReps, their positions, and their track records.
What does this solution look like?
We will create a web platform called dRepWatch that is similar to abgeordnetenwatch.de.
It will be a platform that allows for easy access to dReps, allowing users to ask questions directly to the dReps and observe their voting behaviour.
dReps will be able to connect their wallets to confirm their on-chain identity and then answer questions asked by community members + fill in more information about them and their general stance on certain topics.
In addition, there will be a focus on easy accessibility of on-chain data about dReps and how they're participating in governance. So, e.g. a way to easily see who voted for what decision.
Who will be working on this proposal?
dRepWatch will be developed by Patrick, founded of NMKR and supported by 1-2 developers of his team.
How will dRepWatch prove impact?
There are key metrics to observe to see the impact of dRepWatch, some of them being
- Amount of dReps that connected their wallets
- Amount of questions asked and answered
- Website Visitors
How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?
Our proposed solution, dRepWatch, directly addresses the challenge by enhancing transparency, accessibility, and engagement within the Cardano ecosystem. Here's how it aligns with the key metrics:
- Diversity of dReps: By providing a platform where dReps from various backgrounds can share their views and interact with the community, we encourage diverse participation. The platform will be designed to be inclusive and user-friendly, accommodating dReps with different languages, national origins, occupations, genders, ages, religions, etc.
- Number of dReps: dRepWatch will make it easier for potential dReps to engage with the community, potentially increasing the number of dReps onboarded. It will provide a centralized place for them to showcase their stances and contributions, attracting more participants to take up the dRep role.
- Number of Delegates: By making information about dReps easily accessible and understandable, we can help voters make informed decisions, potentially increasing the number of delegates to dReps.
- Accuracy of Delegate Decisions: dRepWatch will provide comprehensive information about dReps and their voting records, helping delegates make more accurate and informed decisions.
- Accuracy of dRep Decisions: The platform will also allow dReps to directly answer questions from the community, providing insights into their decision-making processes and increasing the accuracy of their decisions.
By increasing transparency and engagement, we can boost participation rates in Catalyst voting and reduce the number of random votes. By making it easier to understand and evaluate proposals, we can help users who may not be technologically skilled or fluent in English. This solution aligns with the goals of Decentralized Consortium Funding and roadmap approval voting, contributing to a more decentralized and functional Cardano ecosystem.
How do you intend to measure the success of your project?
How will dRepWatch measure the success of the project?
There are key metrics to observe to see the impact of dRepWatch, some of them being
- Amount of dReps that connected their wallets
- Amount of questions asked and answered
- Website Visitors
Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?
Our plan to share the outputs and results of the dRepWatch:
- Public Website: The primary output of our project, the dRepWatch website, will be publicly accessible. This means that anyone can visit the site to view dRep profiles, voting records, and community interactions.
- Open Source: We will make the code for dRepWatch open source, allowing anyone to review, contribute to, or adapt the code for their own purposes. This promotes transparency and encourages community involvement in the development and improvement of the platform.
- Social Media: We will create a Twitter account for dRepWatch to share updates, highlight key findings, and engage with the community. This will provide a channel for us to disseminate information quickly and interactively.
- Regular Reports: We will also publish regular reports summarizing the activities and trends observed on the platform. These reports will provide insights into the behavior of dReps and the concerns of the community, contributing to a better understanding of the Cardano ecosystem.
- Community Engagement: We will actively seek feedback from the community and incorporate it into our ongoing development efforts. This could involve hosting AMAs (Ask Me Anything sessions), conducting user surveys, or participating in community forums.
By sharing our outputs and results in these ways, we aim to maximize the impact of our project and foster a more transparent and engaged Cardano community.