DOTGlobal: Ecosystem Talent & Collaboration Network
Tagline
No One is left behind.
1. Problem Statement
While Polkadot has world-class initiatives like Developer Heroes, PBA-X, and Contentful’s Developer Heroes network, these programs primarily focus on recognition and skill development.
However, the next step after training or recognition remains a major gap:
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Many developers and creatives have no structured pathway to apply their skills in active Polkadot projects.
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Founders and teams struggle to find collaborators or co-founders within the ecosystem.
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Regional communities (especially in Africa and the Global South) remain dormant, with limited visibility or engagement opportunities after bootcamps.
The result:
Graduates from PBA-X lose momentum.
Creators and designers drift into other ecosystems.
Projects struggle to find verified, active contributors.
2. Solution — What DOTGlobal Does
DOTGlobal is an open, ecosystem-aligned network designed to connect builders, creatives, founders, and communities into one collaboration layer that sits on top of existing Polkadot initiatives — not beside them.
Think of it as a participation graph for the Polkadot ecosystem, where every contributor’s activity, reputation, and collaboration can be tracked, visualized, and connected to ongoing projects and bounties.
Core Functions
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Ecosystem Talent Graph
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On-chain contributor identity and profile verification (via Substrate).
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Activity-based scoring that reflects actual engagement and project impact.
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Collaboration Hub
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A space where projects can list open bounties, short-term gigs, or collaboration calls.
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Founders and teams can find builders, designers, writers, and other contributors within the ecosystem.
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Reputation & Recognition Layer
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Public contributor metrics integrated with the Polkadot ecosystem.
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Allows the Web3 Foundation and ecosystem teams to identify committed, proven builders across geographies.
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Community Activation Tooling
- Local communities (starting in Nigeria: Kaduna & Abuja) can run talent programs, track participation, and onboard contributors directly into the global DOTGlobal system.
3. Why DOTGlobal Is Different
DOTGlobal is not a centralized hiring platform.
It’s a decentralized ecosystem network — built with the same principles that power Polkadot itself: openness, interoperability, and transparency.
Here’s how DOTGlobal differs from other initiatives:
| Initiative | Focus | DOTGlobal’s Complementary Role |
|---|---|---|
| Developer Heroes / Contentful | Recognition & storytelling for developers | DOTGlobal connects those recognized talents with real ecosystem projects and bounties. |
| Gitcoin-style platforms | Open funding across multiple ecosystems | DOTGlobal keeps contributions Polkadot-native — tracking and rewarding ecosystem-specific work. |
| Polimec | Project fundraising & incubation | DOTGlobal feeds verified contributors and teams into the Polimec pipeline. |
| Regional Bootcamps (e.g. PBA-X) | Education and training | DOTGlobal provides the “next step” — practice, collaboration, and contribution. |
DOTGlobal doesn’t duplicate — it integrates.
It acts as the ecosystem’s connective tissue, helping W3F and parachains clearly see who is building what, and where.
4. Why This Matters
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It ensures the foundation can identify its most active, credible contributors, globally and locally.
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It converts passive alumni and enthusiasts into active builders.
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It strengthens ecosystem retention, ensuring that talent trained under Polkadot initiatives remains within the network instead of migrating elsewhere.
In short, DOTGlobal turns recognition into contribution.
5. Technical Implementation
Stack Overview:
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Frontend: React (Next.js) + TailwindCSS
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Backend: Rust / Node.js API
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Blockchain Layer: Substrate module for contributor identity and activity proofs
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Database: PostgreSQL + IPFS for storing off-chain metadata
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Wallet Integration: Polkadot.js for login and activity signatures
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Deployment: Docker containers and GitHub Actions for CI/CD
Core Modules:
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Identity & Verification Pallet (on-chain)
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Contribution Registry
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Reward and Scoring System
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Open Collaboration Feed
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Analytics Dashboard for Ecosystem Insights
Open-Source License: MIT
Roadmap
Phase 1 – Foundation (0–3 months)
Laying the groundwork for DOTGlobal’s infrastructure and first local activations.
Objectives:
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Design System & Data Architecture: Create the contributor data model and visual design system.
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MVP Development: Build the initial contributor registry and project listing system.
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Substrate Integration: Deploy an identity-tracking Substrate module to authenticate contributor activities.
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Onboarding Pilot: Launch first physical onboarding and awareness events across Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Abuja, and other parts of Northern Nigeria, onboarding developers, creators, and early community members into the Polkadot ecosystem.
Phase 2 – Expansion (3–6 months)
Scaling DOTGlobal into a nationwide movement and deepening engagement mechanisms.
Objectives:
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Reward & Reputation System: Implement contributor reputation, on-chain verification, and bounty tracking.
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Regional Expansion: Begin physical onboarding programs in Eastern, Western, and Southern Nigeria, each region led by a local ambassador responsible for growth, outreach, and community support.
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Bootcamps & Training: Launch in-person Polkadot bootcamps and community hack sessions in major cities, focusing on hands-on learning and contribution readiness.
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Community Growth: Strengthen social and online presence to connect remote contributors across Africa.
Phase 3 – Acceleration (6–12 months)
Evolving DOTGlobal from onboarding to ecosystem empowerment — creating a sustainable contributor economy.
Objectives:
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Founder Incubation Program: Launch incubation training for early-stage founders building within the Polkadot ecosystem.
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DOTGlobal Submissions: Establish a structured process for project submissions, mentorship, and resource matching.
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Hackathons & Bounties: Organize thematic hackathons and community bounty challenges to foster collaboration and innovation.
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Weekly Community Calls: Host open community calls to discuss progress, opportunities, and success stories — reinforcing a sense of belonging and shared mission.
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Ecosystem Analytics Dashboard: Introduce transparent dashboards to track contributions, rewards, and regional impact metrics.
7. Budget (Phase 1 and 2)
| Category | Description | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Personnel | Full-stack + Substrate developer (0.5 FTE, 3 months) | $4,000 |
| Design & UX | Branding, UI/UX, contributor dashboard | $2,000 |
| Bootcamps | Physical events (Kaduna, Abuja, Kano, Katsina) | $5,000 |
| Community Growth | Ambassador setup, outreach, online platform tools | $3,000 |
| Equipment & Hosting | Server setup, testing, Docker/IPFS infrastructure | $1,000 |
| Total (Phase 1) | $15,000 USD (equivalent in DOT) |
8. Ecosystem Fit
DOTGlobal provides measurable value to Polkadot’s talent infrastructure:
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Makes contributions visible and quantifiable.
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Helps parachains discover talent inside the ecosystem.
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Encourages collaboration over competition among regional communities.
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Builds Polkadot’s human capital database transparently on-chain.
This is not just a platform — it’s the ecosystem lens for understanding who is active, reliable, and contributing.
9. Future Vision
Our vision is to:
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Build a network of verified contributors who collaborate, earn, and grow within Polkadot.
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Create local-to-global pipelines connecting regional builders to global projects.
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Be the ecosystem’s heartbeat — where ideas become teams, teams become projects, and projects strengthen Polkadot’s network effect.
Through continuous onboarding, open collaboration, and transparent contribution tracking, DOTGlobal will ensure no one is left behind in Polkadot’s mission to build a decentralized future.
10. Closing Statement
DOTGlobal’s mission is simple: to make sure no one is left behind in the Polkadot ecosystem — whether you’re a developer, founder, designer, or creative.
By turning skills and passion into measurable contributions, DOTGlobal will help the Web3 Foundation identify its true builders, empower new regions, and create a living, evolving network of collaboration that keeps Polkadot growing — from the inside out.