Proposal Feedback: 2025 Local Node Roundup Research, Insights & Playbooks

ReFi DAO Network Initiatives
1

TL;DR

Hey there, my name is John Ellison :waving_hand: (ReFi DAO co-founder). My wife Fatma Ghedira (executive coach & qualitative researcher) and I are proposing a comprehensive research initiative to document the current state, needs, and best practices of ReFi Local Nodes worldwide. This research will produce:

  • A public Local Node Roundup Report with insights and recommendations

  • 2-3 playbooks/case studies contributed to the Local ReFi Toolkit

  • Video content from interviews for the ReFi DAO content calendar

  • An internal GAP analysis and framework for a future Local Node Incubator/Leadership Program

Budget Request: $3,500 USD

Timeline: 6-8 weeks

Context & Why Now

It’s been nearly a year since the Beta Incubator concluded in June 2024. The ReFi DAO 2.0 transition has brought exciting new governance structures, funding mechanisms, and partnerships—but the deep work of serving Local Node leaders has understandably taken a back seat to infrastructure development.

Meanwhile, Local Nodes across the network have had wildly different experiences:

  • Some have thrived: ReFi MedellĂ­n ran hackathons, planted trees, won Optimism RPGF funding, and built a 150+ member community. ReFi Barcelona hosted an Unconference, established cooperative structures, and engaged local government.

  • Some have paused or dissolved: Without consistent support, coordination, or funding pathways, several nodes have gone dormant.

  • Many are somewhere in between: Doing meaningful work locally but disconnected from the broader network.

The State of the Network Research from 2024 provided valuable quantitative insights, but we believe there’s an opportunity for deeper qualitative work—understanding the why behind the numbers, surfacing tacit knowledge, and documenting what’s actually working on the ground.

This research would:

  1. Re-engage Local Node leaders and make them feel seen and supported

  2. Surface best practices that can become reusable playbooks

  3. Identify gaps in support that ReFi DAO Global can address

  4. Lay the groundwork for a potential Q2 2025 Incubator or Leadership Program

  5. Support ongoing fundraising efforts for the entire network

About Us

John Ellison — Content Lead

I co-founded ReFi DAO alongside the original team, helping to establish the network’s vision of building a regenerative economy rooted in local startup communities. After stepping back for a creative sabbatical, I’ve returned to the tech space focusing on AI transformation and vibe coding through my consultancy work.

When Luiz and Monty reached out asking if I’d be interested in contributing to the network again, it felt like a natural homecoming. I’m excited to bring fresh perspective alongside deep familiarity with ReFi DAO’s origins and mission.

I’ll lead on synthesizing research findings into actionable outputs—the Roundup Report, playbooks for the Local ReFi Toolkit, social media content, and strategic recommendations.

Connect: X | LinkedIn | Instagram

Fatma Ghedira — Research Lead

Fatma is an executive coach, facilitator, and spaceholder who brings 7+ years of experience in leadership development, organizational psychology, and community building. She previously served as Head of Partnerships & Community at ThinkHuman, where she grew their community from a few hundred to 20,000+ members and designed high-impact gatherings on topics from racial justice to masculine leadership.

She’s worked with organizations including Google, Snapchat, Ooredoo, and the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers community. Currently based in Tunisia, she co-leads Samana Valley eco-village and designs leadership retreats and community rituals that balance psychological safety with transformative depth.

Fatma will lead on conducting the interviews and focus groups, bringing her expertise in creating safe containers for honest conversation and her ability to surface insights that often remain hidden in typical survey-based research.

Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Proposed Research Scope

Phase 1: Research (Weeks 1–3)

12 Recorded 1:1 Interviews with Local Node Leaders (~45–60 min each)

We’ll prioritize a diverse sample across:

  • Geography (South & Central America, Africa, Europe, Americas)

  • Node maturity (established vs. emerging)

  • Activity level (thriving, struggling, paused)

Proposed interview participants (to be confirmed):

  • ReFi MedellĂ­n

  • ReFi Uganda

  • ReFi Barcelona

  • ReFi Lisboa

  • ReFi Costa Rica

  • ReFi Lagos

  • ReFi Cape Town

  • ReFi Berlin / Wien

  • ReFi Phangan

  • RiFai Sicily

  • Plus: 2-3 paused/inactive nodes (for learning what didn’t work)

1–2 Focus Groups with Broader Community

Open sessions for Local Node contributors, aspiring node founders, and ecosystem partners to surface collective themes.

Network-Wide Survey

Short-form survey distributed via Telegram, Discord, and email. Following Monty’s advice, we’ll also offer an audio submission option—people can record voice notes that we’ll transcribe and analyze using AI, reducing friction for respondents.

Phase 2: Analysis & Outputs

External Outputs

1. Local Node Roundup Report — A comprehensive blog post / Mirror article documenting the state of the network, key themes, and recommendations for ReFi DAO Global and Local Nodes.

2. 2–3 Playbooks/Case Studies for the Local ReFi Toolkit. Likely candidates include: ‘How to Partner with Local Government’ (Barcelona model), ‘Running a ReFi Hackathon’ (Medellín model), ‘Treasury Management for Local Nodes’, ‘Reactivating a Dormant Node’.

3. Video Content — If we capture compelling moments during interviews and focus groups, we’ll produce basic short clips for the ReFi DAO content calendar.

4. Social Media Campaign — X thread, LinkedIn post, and IG carousel summarizing key findings and celebrating Local Nodes.

Internal Outputs

5. GAP Analysis & Needs Assessment — A strategic document identifying support gaps, resource/funding gaps, and communication/coordination gaps.

6. Local Node Incubator/Leadership Program Framework — High-level design for a potential Q2 2025 cohort program, informed by what we learn.

Budget Breakdown

  • 12 x 1:1 interviews (scheduling, conducting, transcription) $1,200
  • 1 focus group (design, facilitation, synthesis) $400
  • Survey design, distribution, analysis $200
  • Research synthesis & pattern analysis $300
  • Local Node Roundup Report + blog + socials $400
  • 2–3 playbooks/case studies for toolkit $500
  • Video editing (if good footage captured) $200
  • Social media assets (X thread, LinkedIn, IG) John $150
  • GAP analysis & leadership program overview $150
  • Total $3,500

Note: We can also scale back to $2,500–$3,000 by reducing the number of interviews, playbooks or videos.

Timeline

Below is a rough outline of a six-to-eight week project timeline.

  • Week 1 - Interview scheduling, survey design, initial outreach

  • Weeks 2-3 - Conduct interviews (6 of 12)

  • Weeks 3-4 - Complete interviews, focus groups, survey distribution

  • Weeks 4-5 - Analysis, synthesis, draft Roundup Report

  • Weeks 5-6 - Draft playbooks, internal review with Monty/Core Stewards

  • Weeks 6-8 - Final outputs delivered, social media campaign

Alignment with ReFi DAO Goals

This proposal directly supports several priorities outlined in the ReFi DAO Wrapped 2024 and Local ReFi Toolkit vision:

  • Toolkit Development — The playbooks and case studies will be contributed directly to the Local ReFi Toolkit, creating resources with lasting value.

  • Local Node Support — This research centers Local Node leaders’ voices and experiences, helping ReFi DAO Global understand what support is actually needed.

  • Content & Awareness — The Roundup Report, video clips, and social media content will showcase the network’s diversity and impact.

  • Future Programming — The Incubator framework provides a foundation for resuming cohort-based programs in 2025.

This work also has potential synergies with:

  • The Bridging Worlds: Mainstreaming ReFi Web3 for Nature Finance

  • Localism.fund and regional funding initiatives

  • For The World case study repository

What Success Looks Like

For Local Nodes:

  • Leaders feel heard, valued, and reconnected to the broader network

  • Concrete playbooks they can reference and adapt

  • Clearer understanding of what support is available

  • Captured success stories to help with further grant funding

For ReFi DAO Global:

  • Data-driven understanding of network health and needs

  • Content assets for ongoing communications

  • Strategic clarity on how to support Local Nodes in 2025

  • Strong research base to support raising further capital

Follow-On Potential

If this research phase goes well, we’d love to discuss:

  1. Leading a Q2 2026 Local Node Incubator / Leadership Program — A cohort-based program informed by what we learn, potentially funded through the Local ReFi Toolkit pool.

  2. Ongoing Content Partnership — Using the interview footage and relationships built to create a steady stream of Local Node spotlights.

How to Support This Proposal

This proposal will be submitted to the ReFi DAO Network Initiatives Pool on Gardens.

To support:

  1. Stake your $Regen tokens

  2. Vote with conviction on this proposal

  3. Share with others in the community who might want to support

Questions & Discussion

We’re open to feedback on scope, budget, and priorities. Some questions for the community:

  • Which Local Nodes would you most want to hear from?

  • What playbook topics would be most valuable?

  • Are there specific questions you’d want us to explore in the research?

Drop your thoughts below or reach out directly:

Let’s build this together :globe_showing_europe_africa::seedling:

3 Likes
ReFi Local Nodes - 2025 Retrospective & 2026 Vision