The advancements occurring in the Ethereum ecosystem recently are truly motivating. Whether you’re thrilled by the acceptance of proof of stake (and a quicker, more secure, environmentally friendly Ethereum), the imminent Merge and other significant enhancements, or by various applications and solutions that possess the capability to transform multiple sectors, it’s an excellent moment to be engaged with the Ethereum community.
Our transforming role
While we share enthusiasm about the expansion of Ethereum and the vision that our joint efforts can contribute to, I am frequently inquired about the function of the Ethereum Foundation and how our philosophy of reduction aligns with that future.
“Society flourishes when the elderly plant trees whose shade they know they shall never enjoy.” – anonymous Greek proverb
When we contemplate making a genuine and enduring difference, one that transcends our individual lives and those of our organizations, it becomes crucial for us to reduce where feasible so that the ecosystem – the Ethereum garden – can sustainably survive and prosper without being overly dependent on EF or any other organization.
Nonetheless, we recognize that many initiatives will not occur naturally until the garden reaches maturity. Someone must plant the seeds, while others need to nurture them. Furthermore, we manage the weeds when obstacles hinder healthy growth in the garden. We are invested not only in sustainability but also in the vitality of the Ethereum garden to ensure Ethereum remains “Ethereum.”
Pursuing opportunities within the larger context
In striving for the sustainability and wellbeing of the ecosystem, I consistently motivate our team to expand their perspective and consider the broader context, as we evaluate which specific tasks only EF can undertake. One of the inquiries I regularly pose is: “Are we focusing on the users who would gain the most from Ethereum?”
Developing nations currently make up over 80% of the global population, and out of approximately 400,000 infants born each day worldwide, over 360,000 are born in developing regions. The populace in these countries not only embodies our collective future but may also constitute the next billion active Ethereum users. This signifies new generations of developers who will collectively bolster Ethereum’s future resilience and strength. Moreover, Ethereum’s ability to foster trust, transparency, efficiency, and collaboration holds significant promise in underdeveloped regions where these attributes are frequently scarce. It is within this framework – an intersection of opportunities, influence, and potential for Ethereum – that the Ethereum Foundation Fellowship Program was established.
Introducing the EF Fellowship Program
The Ethereum Foundation Fellowship Program is an initiative that has been introduced by Next Billion, a group at EF dedicated to identifying opportunities in emerging markets. The EF Fellowship Program grants us an opportunity to collaborate with innovators whose initiatives possess high potential to generate an impact in emerging economies by utilizing Ethereum. The program offers a distinctive experience that includes mentorship, expertise, and access to influential figures in the Ethereum ecosystem.
What distinguishes this from standard grant assistance? Our vision transcends merely supporting these particular initiatives; we aim to create a ripple effect. We hope that others will learn from this cohort’s endeavors and be inspired to undertake similar initiatives in their own communities, or even to develop enhanced solutions.
Our inaugural cohort
Benson Njuguna (Acre Africa) is working on implementing blockchain solutions for a microinsurance product that safeguards thousands of smallholder farmers in Kenya against extreme weather conditions. His initiative will assess and demonstrate Ethereum’s potential to enable the viability and sustainability of products and services aimed at the lower wealth segment.
Chuy Cepeda (OS.City) offers municipal and national governments a platform to effortlessly issue digital identities and blockchain-based documents to their citizens, with the vision of one day enabling government-issued documents (such as permits and IDs) to be stored in Ethereum wallets. Throughout the Fellowship Program, he and his team will collaborate with the government of Argentina and formulate strategies to promote the meaningful integration of blockchain within the public sector in Latin America.
Kuldeep Bandhu Aryal (BRAC) aims to devise a blockchain and cryptocurrency strategy for BRAC, the largest NGO on the planet. Situated in Bangladesh, BRAC supports over 100 million individuals every year. Kuldeep’s project encompasses various experiments utilizing blockchain, potentially serving as a template for other social enterprises and the broader development sector.
Naroa Zurutuza (Giga) is investigating Ethereum-based solutions as part of Giga’s initiative to connect every school to the internet. By aiding in the provision of today’s most vital public good to billions of currently unconnected individuals, Naroa envisions many roles for blockchain, ranging from enhancing service provider accountability and financing connectivity infrastructures to serving as a gateway to the global economy and marketplaces.
Stay updated and engaged
While beginning modestly and as an experiment with this pilot cohort, this program also represents a new strategic pathway for EF to allocate resources to regions that remain largely untapped for Ethereum’s future. The issues being addressed carry significant and long-term consequences for Ethereum’s value as a tool capable of achieving public sector acceptance while fostering financial inclusion, positively affecting the battle against climate change and beyond.
We are thrilled to commence collaboration with Benson, Chuy, Kuldeep, and Naroa throughout the inaugural year of the Ethereum Foundation Fellowship Program as they integrate Ethereum into their projects in the coming months. Congratulations to Taira Ishikura and Serena Tan from the Next Billion team on the launch, and we also extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who assisted us in identifying candidates.
We’re eager to collaborate with other community members in supporting these Fellows, and if you would like to remain connected with the Fellowship Program or any of the Fellows, please sign up to receive updates here, or reach out to the team at fellowship@ethereum.org.
