Proposal: Governance Contribution Recognition (Cycle 2: May - December 2025)

Governance Iterations
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41

Even though the proposal has ended I am posting my view over the proposal based on the negation game I used for this proposal.

After reviewing the proposed GCR Cycle 2 delegate incentive program, I recognize both the strengths and weaknesses of the framework.

On the positive side, the continuation of delegate incentives is an important signal that Scroll values governance contributions. The tiered scoring system promotes higher quality governance work compared to the first cycle. Rewarding active delegates in SCR also reinforces Scroll’s token economy and creates a clear baseline for participation with the 60% eligibility threshold.

However, there are notable concerns. First, rewards are not weighted by voting power, which risks disincentivizing larger delegates whose participation is crucial for meeting quorum. Second, the program’s reliance on qualitative scoring may introduce subjectivity and even encourage superficial activity rather than meaningful contribution. Third, the 580000 SCR budget is significant and could potentially crowd out other ecosystem initiatives. Finally, the KYC/KYB requirement may discourage participation from some contributors and limit inclusivity.

That said, these objections do not fully outweigh the benefits. The counterpoint to the “equal reward” issue is that incentivizing smaller delegates, strengthens decentralization and avoids over-reliance on a few whales. Similarly, while qualitative scoring can be gamed, it also ensures that governance is not reduced to “vote-only” behavior, but reflects richer engagement. The budget, although large, is justified as governance is foundational infrastructure. Without strong governance, funds allocated to growth or technical development would be at risk.

Final Position: I support passing this proposal, with the recommendation that future cycles experiment with modest adjustments:

  • Introducing a partial weighting mechanism that combines both participation and voting power,

  • Establishing clearer metrics for qualitative engagement to minimize subjectivity, and

  • Periodically reviewing program costs against measurable ecosystem outcomes.

Overall, GCR Cycle 2 represents an evolutionary improvement that will help professionalize Scroll governance, strengthen delegate accountability, and sustain long-term community engagement.

Negation Game link: https://scroll.negationgame.com/s/scroll/rationale/0dpKxbvb9mI9wZd8TXe7j

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