Define and Solve Public Problems
Every GCC grant starts with a clear description of the public problem it tackles—never personal gain, and never creating more public waste. Donors can also nominate the problem areas they want us to focus on.
Why GCC?
"The digital space should be a commons shared by all humanity," but it is tightly controlled by minority states and large corporations, increasingly threatening individual freedom and privacy.The development of the digital commons is not centered on the public interest, but rather on the logic of power and profit.
The GCC, "Global Chinese Community of Universal Digital Commons," supports people and projects that are reshaping public goods for the future. Based on the Chinese language, we connect the world and together we move towards a free, open, and sustainable future.
Our Guidelines
Rooted Chinese, Connected Global
Chinese-speaking, yet global in scope. Eligibility is less about the team’s native language and more about whether the work serves this cultural commons—addressing issues in Chinese-speaking regions or universal challenges that ultimately impact them.
Commit to Sustainable Growth
We embrace many models for solving public problems, including healthy monetization (see Vitalik’s post on the revenue–evil curve for reference). Grantees who can commercialize later should reinvest in the commons to keep the ecosystem thriving.
Build for the Future
We fund more than immediate fixes; we seek explorations that signal a new paradigm. GCC prioritizes people and projects using fresh methodologies, technologies, and organizational forms to reinvent public goods.
Fund Structure
Public funds
A cohort-based donation pool focused on supporting high-impact digital public goods projects, events, and individuals.
Special funds
A rolling-based donation pool for more focused issues, which is usually established by the GCC and partner institutions.
Public Funds Support Track
Priority is given to supporting projects, individuals and activities that can cover the Chinese-speaking region now or in the future, lack financial support, and explore future approaches to solve public problems.
01
Censorship-resistant/Privacy
Funding tools or protocols that ensure everyone can freely access and use open networks such as blockchains without interference or restriction from centralized authorities.
02
Global Public Talent Network
Cultivating a cross-disciplinary talent ecosystem for the digital commons, bringing together diverse forces in research, technology, organization, and thought.
03
Open Source Software
Supporting publicly available tools and infrastructure released under open-source licenses, with comprehensive documentation and testing, to promote standardization and interoperability.
04
Decentralized Governance
Exploring mechanism design and empirical studies for on-chain/off-chain governance, including verifiable solutions for Sybil resistance, incentive design, and grant distribution mechanisms.
Special Fund Support Track
The GCC Special Collaboration Fund uses an open partnership model, allowing joint or independent operation on specific themes. We welcome organizations to join us in advancing future-oriented public goods.
01
GCC Builder Ticket Program
Support Chinese-speaking young builders to travel to Ethereum gatherings and hackathons around the world — including Denver, Osaka, Tokyo, Bangkok, Sydney, and Brussels — opening the door for them to participate in international hackathon events.
02
ETH City & University Fund
Aims to provide essential operational funding for university blockchain associations and local hackathon organizers that lack financial resources and are still in their early stages of development.
03
GCC X 706 Special Fund
Aims to support the 706 Youth Community by providing subsidies for public positions, maintaining online infrastructure, constructing offline facilities, and funding public cultural activities organized by 706.
04
GCC X Mastodon Special Fund
This special fund is used to support the server administrators and local advocates in the Mastodon Chinese community, assisting them in building and maintaining independent and decentralized social spaces.
Our Definition of the Chinese-Speaking Region
Cultural Community
Not only Chinese mainland, but also Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and global Chinese-speaking communities throughout Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe.
Support Standards
Projects do not have to have Chinese-speaking members, but they need to have a radiative impact on the Chinese-speaking community, or solve universal problems for all humanity and ultimately benefit the Chinese-speaking community.
Strategic Significance
Solve public problems in Chinese-speaking regions around the world, and amplify the contribution of Chinese-speaking communities in the global digital public goods ecosystem.
Funding Process
01
INITIAL SCREENING
Mission fit
The focus is on assessing the project's alignment with the agency's mission and strategic goals. A quick review of the project's basic information is often conducted to determine whether its direction aligns with the overall development vision.
02
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Influence, feasibility, and team ability
Focus on the impact and feasibility of the project and the team's execution and management capabilities. Throught a comprehensive evaluation of these core elements, it is judged whether the project has long-term development potential.
03
DUE
DILIGENCE
Background and funding verification
Thoroughly verify the authenticity and compliance of team backgrounds and fund use to ensure reliable information and minimize potential risks.
04
DECISION MAKING
Voting committee voted 2/3 in favor of the pass
Projects are submitted to the voting committee, which is jointly decided by members, and usually requires more than two-thirds of the votes to be approved to ensure the scientific and fair decision-making.
05
MAKE AGREEMENT
Milestone management, regular feedback
Sign a formal agreement after the decision is passed, and etablish a schedule management and regular feedback mechanism to ensure that the project is transparent and efficient in the implementation process.