Proposal Title:
Rooting the Future: Building a Stronger Ethereum & Scroll Ecosystem in Korea
Proposal Type:
Community
Summary
Please check out the Regional Assesment before reading this proposal.
This proposal outlines a highly intentional gathering of 20-25 Ethereum and Scroll-aligned builders, community leaders, educators, and investors in Korea as the cornerstone of the Scroll Korea Node initiative. The gathering will be a 2-night, 3-day event near Seoul in late May or early June 2025, designed to address the fragmentation of the Korean ecosystem, build genuine trust across key players, and collaboratively design a strategic plan for the long-term growth of the Scroll ecosystem in Korea. This gathering serves as the foundation for establishing a sustainable Scroll Korea Node that will drive ongoing engagement with Scroll’s technology, community, and governance.
- Funding Request: $30,000USD for a 3-month period covering preparation, execution, and post-event activities
- Key Stakeholders: Korean builders, project leaders, investors, educators, and community organizers focused on Scroll and Ethereum, with Scroll DAO as the primary partner and initiator
- Expected Outcomes: Formation of working groups focused on Scroll ecosystem development, a pipeline of projects for Scroll Open, increased local governance participation, and a stronger, more interconnected network of Ethereum and Scroll builders in Korea
Motivation
Why we are submitting this proposal
Despite having talented builders, local investors, and thought leaders, Korea’s Ethereum ecosystem lacks the deep interconnection that transforms isolated efforts into a thriving network. Initiatives often operate in silos, trust across communities is patchy, and collaboration feels transactional rather than collaborative. By gathering key ecosystem participants for an intentional, focused event, we can address these fundamental issues and strengthen the foundation of the Ethereum community in Korea.
Mission and vision
Our mission is to cultivate a vibrant, resilient, and interconnected Ethereum ecosystem in Korea that can sustain long-term growth and innovation. Our vision is to transform Korea’s currently fragmented blockchain landscape into a cohesive community aligned with Ethereum’s core values of decentralization, open collaboration, and shared ownership.
Potential conflicts of interest
As organizers (Songyi Lee, Jenna Park, Gen Lee, Jane Lee/Pagodasia.eth), we are invested in the growth of the Ethereum ecosystem in Korea but do not have financial conflicts with respect to this proposal. This initiative emerges from the Scroll Korea Node initiative while remaining open and non-exclusive to encourage diverse ecosystem support.
Why the Scroll DAO should adopt this proposal
This proposal directly aligns with the Local Nodes initiative goals of supporting founder and builder development in highly localized regions. By investing in this gathering, Scroll DAO will:
- Position itself as a key supporter of Ethereum’s growth in one of Asia’s most important markets
- Help establish strong foundations for future community-driven initiatives
- Create authentic relationships with key builders and stakeholders in the Korean ecosystem
- Support a strategic, sustainable approach to ecosystem building rather than fragmentary activations
The gathering will be framed as “Ethereum-first, Scroll-empowered,” establishing Scroll as a thoughtful contributor to ecosystem health while respecting the broader Ethereum community.
Execution
Operational
Tools and processes
- Event Management Platform: For participant registration, communication, and scheduling
- Documentation Tools: Collaborative document editing for real-time workshop outputs and synthesis
- Communication Channels: Private messaging group for pre/post-event coordination
- Knowledge Repository: For storing and sharing workshop outputs and resources
Process development
- Participant Selection Process: A light application and invitation system to ensure alignment in values and mission
- Facilitation Design: Custom workshop methodologies for ecosystem mapping, trust-building, and strategy development
- Documentation Protocol: Standards for capturing insights and actionable outcomes
- Follow-up Framework: Structure for maintaining momentum through working groups
Project management
- The core team will use a shared project management document to track timelines, responsibilities, and deliverables
- Weekly coordination meetings will ensure alignment and progress
- A shared calendar will maintain visibility on key milestones
Personnel & Resources
Core team roles and responsibilities
- Event Stewards (Songyi Lee, Jenna Park, Gen Lee, Jane Lee): Overall coordination, stakeholder management, and strategic direction
- Facilitator (Songyi Lee) : Professional event facilitator specializing in community building and strategic dialogue
- Content Coordinator(Jenna Park): Responsible for workshop design, materials, and documentation
- Logistics Manager(Jane Lee): Venue coordination, accommodations, transportation, and on-site management
- Documentation Lead(Gen Lee): Capturing, synthesizing, and distributing event outputs
Additional resources needed
- Venue with accommodation and workshop spaces
- Transportation arrangements for participants
- Professional documentation services (photography, recording of non-private sessions)
- Workshop materials and supplies
- Translation support as needed (Korean/English)
Financial
Total Cost
- Total Budget: $30,000 USD
- $15,000 USD for the gathering
- $15,000 USD for the post-event activities & ecosystem development
- SCR Equivalent: [To be calculated at time of posting based on current SCR value]
Part 1: Ethereum Korea Gathering ($15,000/$30,000)
| Category | Estimated Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Venue/Accomodation | $15,000 | Private gathering facility |
| Meals and Refreshments | $3,500 | Group meals and snacks |
| Facilitation & Coordination | $6,000 | Professional facilitation and event management |
| Transportation Subsidies | $2,000 | Participant travel support, shuttle services |
| Materials & Production | $700 | Workshop supplies, signage, notebooks |
| Documentation & Follow-up | $2,000 | Post-gathering synthesis report |
| Contingency (10%) | $3,000 | Buffer for unexpected needs |
| Total | $30,000 | Based on 25 participants |
Funding structure
- Primary Sponsorship from Scroll DAO: $15,000
- Co-sponsorship from other aligned organizations (e.g., EF, Korea Local Builder Contribution): $15,000
Part 2: Post-Event Activities & Ecosystem Development ($15,000)
| Category | Amount (USD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scroll Technical Workshops Series | $4,500 | 3 workshops ($1,500 each) including: 1) Venue rental: $500 2) Technical instructor: $500 3) Materials & refreshments: $500 |
| Scroll Korea Node Operations | $3,500 | 3 months of operations including |
| Open Zero Coworking Sessions | $2,500 | 5 sessions ($500 each) including: 1) Space rental: $250 2) Mentorship: $150 3) Refreshments: $100 |
| Korean Documentation & Resources | $2,000 | Translation and creation of Scroll technical documentation and educational materials in Korean |
| KBW 2025 Scroll Showcase | $2,000 | Organizing Scroll ecosystem showcase during Korea Blockchain Week: 1) Event space: $1,000 2) Materials: $500 3) Coordination: $500 |
| Contingency Fund | $500 | Buffer for unexpected expenses |
| Total Post-Event Budget | $15,000 |
Budget Notes:
- Strategic Ecosystem Investment: This budget represents Scroll’s initial investment in building the broader Ethereum ecosystem in Korea, creating the foundational infrastructure for Scroll to thrive. We are actively seeking co-funding from local ecosystem contributors and external partners such as the Ethereum Foundation to share the financial commitment, ensuring Scroll isn’t bearing the entire financial burden while maximizing collective ecosystem impact.
- Sustained Impact: Post-event activities are structured to maintain momentum through regular touchpoints (workshops, coworking sessions) while building essential infrastructure (Korean documentation).
- Timeline Allocation: The post-event budget covers 3 months of ecosystem-building activities following the initial gathering.
- Measurable Outcomes: Each budget component is tied to specific deliverables that contribute to Scroll ecosystem growth in Korea.
- Leveraged Resources: Where possible, we will seek in-kind contributions from local partners (additional venue space, volunteer mentors, etc.) to maximize impact beyond the allocated budget.
Evaluation
Desired outcome
A thriving, interconnected Ethereum ecosystem in Korea with stronger collaboration, aligned values, and coordinated efforts that persist beyond market cycles.
Evidence of success
Success will be evident when we see:
- Increased cross-pollination between previously siloed projects and communities
- Formation of sustained working groups addressing key ecosystem challenges
- New collaborative initiatives emerging from connections made at the gathering
- A shared narrative and strategic vision for Ethereum in Korea
- Continued momentum through follow-up activities (Open Zero coworking sessions, Dev meetups)
Metrics for measurement
We will measure success through:
Immediate metrics (during/immediately after event)
- Participant satisfaction scores (survey)
- Number of actionable ideas generated
- Number of working groups formed
- Quality of the strategic roadmap developed
Medium-term metrics (3-6 months)
- Working group activity and outputs
- Number of follow-up gatherings or initiatives
- New collaborations formed between participants
- Increased engagement in community channels
Long-term metrics (6-12 months)
- Implementation of strategic roadmap elements
- Growth in ecosystem participation
- New projects launched through established connections
- Qualitative assessment of ecosystem cohesion
Timeline
| Phase | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Core Team Formation & Budget Finalization | May 30, 2025 |
| Participant Outreach & Confirmation | June 1-7, 2025 |
| Gathering Delivery | Late June - Early July 2025 |
| Post-gathering Report Release | By July 30, 2025 |
| Open Zero coworking, working groups | July-September 2025 |
Conclusion
The Ethereum Korea Ecosystem gathering represents a strategic investment in building the foundations for a stronger, more cohesive Ethereum community in Korea. By bringing together 20-25 carefully selected participants for an intentional, values-aligned gathering, we will address current fragmentation, build genuine trust, and collaboratively design a sustainable plan for ecosystem growth.
This approach prioritizes depth over breadth, relationships over transactions, and long-term resilience over short-term activation. With Scroll DAO’s support as a primary partner, we can position the gathering as “Ethereum-first, Scroll-empowered,” establishing Scroll as a thoughtful contributor to ecosystem health while respecting the broader Ethereum community.
The requested funding of $30,000 will enable a high-quality, impactful gathering with tangible outcomes, including working groups, a strategic roadmap, and stronger network connections that will benefit the entire ecosystem. We invite the Scroll DAO to join us in rooting the future of Ethereum in Korea.