This proposal introduces a collaborative effort to create a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework for Project Catalyst, building on its existing strengths. Given Catalyst’s role as a key treasury-funded program within Cardano’s emerging on-chain governance, our goal is to improve how its performance is understood, how accountability is maintained, and how lessons are captured and applied.

The project begins with a comprehensive After-Action Review (AAR) of all funding rounds from Fund 1 onward, capturing historical insights and complementing existing efforts such as the "Offchain Impact Analysis" project, which focuses on Funds 9–12. Working through the Intersect Membership and Community Committee, we will then co-design a long-term MEAL system—including a Theory of Change, KPIs, tools, and processes—tailored specifically to Catalyst.

The initiative follows a six-month phased approach:

Phase 1: Desk review and AAR

Phase 2: Co-design of the MEAL framework using AAR findings and stakeholder input

Phase 3: Initial implementation and handover of the system

Our aim is to embed evidence-based, adaptive management into Catalyst, strengthen accountability over treasury funds (public funds held on behalf of ADA holders), and increase the strategic impact of funding decisions. This approach draws on proven MEAL and AAR methodologies from the development sector and emphasizes collaboration across the community. It may also serve as a model for other Cardano initiatives.

Although Project Catalyst is innovative, it doesn't have a solid system in place to track how its investments are performing, learn from past funding rounds, ensure accountability for how treasury funds are used, or adjust its strategy based on evidence. This makes it harder to achieve long-term impact and use community funds efficiently.

The main advantage is stronger governance and better results for Project Catalyst. ADA holders gain from greater transparency and accountability in how treasury funds are used. The Cardano community benefits through improved learning, which helps make smarter funding decisions and leads to more successful projects. Overall, the value lies in making sure the treasury is used more effectively to reach key goals for the ecosystem.

The community will ultimately receive a comprehensive After-Action Review report detailing historical Catalyst performance and a complete, co-designed MEAL Framework ready for ongoing use, developed with oversight from a dedicated Supervisory Group. The target state for this 6-month tranche includes the completion of the AAR and the MEAL framework design, along with initial implementation support and handover materials.

MILESTONE 1 (Month 1): Supervisory Group Formed & AAR Plan Agreed Output 1: Confirmed list of Supervisory Group members (composed of willing Intersect Membership and Community Committee members and external MEAL experts). Proof 1: List shared/published via Intersect channels or relevant communication platforms. Output 2: Final AAR Methodology Document & Work Plan. Proof 2: Document approved by the Supervisory Group (e.g., meeting minutes, formal sign-off record).

MILESTONE 2 (Month 2): Draft AAR Report Complete Output 1: Draft AAR Report document. Proof 1: Document shared with the Supervisory Group for review (e.g., shared document link with access logs). Output 2: Presentation summarizing preliminary AAR findings. Proof 2: Slides shared/delivered to the Supervisory Group (e.g., meeting recording, shared slides).

MILESTONE 3 (Month 3): Final AAR Report & MEAL Scope Agreed Output 1: Final AAR Report document. Proof 1: Final document endorsed by the Supervisory Group and shared via Intersect channels or agreed repository. Output 2: MEAL Framework Scoping Workshop Report/Summary (based on workshop with Supervisory Group). Proof 2: Workshop summary shared with the Supervisory Group.

MILESTONE 4 (Month 4): Draft MEAL Framework Developed Output 1: Draft MEAL Framework Document (incl. ToC, KPIs, draft tools). Proof 1: Document shared with the Supervisory Group for feedback (e.g., shared document link). Output 2: Presentation of Draft MEAL Framework to Supervisory Group. Proof 2: Slides shared/delivered to the Supervisory Group.

MILESTONE 5 (Month 5): Final MEAL Framework & Initial Plan Agreed Output 1: Final MEAL Framework Document. Proof 1: Final document endorsed by the Supervisory Group and shared via Intersect channels or agreed repository. Output 2: Initial Implementation/Handover Plan Document. Proof 2: Plan document approved by the Supervisory Group.

MILESTONE 6 (Month 6): Handover Complete Output 1: Guidance Materials/Documentation package for MEAL system users. Proof 1: Materials package shared with the Supervisory Group and relevant stakeholders (e.g., link to shared folder). Output 2: Final Project Report summarizing activities and handover. Proof 2: Report shared with the Supervisory Group.

Cost Breakdown by Milestone (Total Budget: $150,000 / 214,285 ADA)

MILESTONE 1 (Month 1): Supervisory Group Formed & AAR Plan Agreed Budget: $20,000 USD (approx. 28,571 ADA) This covers coordination with Intersect and external MEAL experts, finalizing the AAR methodology, and setting up the supervisory group.

MILESTONE 2 (Month 2): Draft AAR Report Complete Budget: $25,000 USD (approx. 35,714 ADA) Includes data analysis, report drafting, and presentation of findings.

MILESTONE 3 (Month 3): Final AAR Report & MEAL Scope Agreed Budget: $25,000 USD (approx. 35,714 ADA) Covers finalization of the AAR report and facilitation of the MEAL scoping workshop.

MILESTONE 4 (Month 4): Draft MEAL Framework Developed Budget: $30,000 USD (approx. 42,857 ADA) Reflects the depth of work required to co-design the MEAL framework, including theory of change, KPIs, and draft tools.

MILESTONE 5 (Month 5): Final MEAL Framework & Initial Plan Agreed Budget: $25,000 USD (approx. 35,714 ADA) Supports refinement of the framework and development of the initial implementation/handover plan.

MILESTONE 6 (Month 6): Handover Complete Budget: $25,000 USD (approx. 35,714 ADA) Covers the production of guidance materials and the final project report, and supports the transition to long-term use.

Total Budget: $150,000 USD (approx. 214,285 ADA at 1 ADA = $0.70).

The project team will consist of four members (one project leader and three analysts) over the planned six-month duration of the project.

Project Lead: Eduard Peris - PhD in War Studies (King’s College London), MIA (Columbia University). Managing Director of Blockchain for Impact Fund, founder of GeoAnalytics Center (Sahel). Over 15 years of African experience, including USAID/USIP funded projects. Expertise in complex environments, impact assessment, and MEAL methodologies relevant to this proposal. Team (Impact Plus): Brings a blend of blockchain sector experience and rigorous analytical capabilities:

• Cardano Ecosystem Familiarity: Responsible for data collection and analysis contributing to the Cardano Ecosystem Guide 2025, demonstrating direct experience working with Cardano data and understanding its landscape.
• Blockchain Application Analysis: Conducted studies on blockchain applications for international organizations, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), showcasing experience in applying analytical frameworks to blockchain contexts for institutional stakeholders.
• MEAL Expertise: Core team includes specialists adept at developing and implementing global MEAL systems, ensuring methodological rigor for the proposed AAR and framework design. Technical Support & Ecosystem Understanding: Established presence in the blockchain sector (2+ years in Polygon ecosystem providing technical support via Polygon Impact Care Center), demonstrating understanding of ecosystem dynamics and project support needs.
• Web3 Knowledge: Deep understanding of industry trends relevant to evaluating Catalyst project contexts.
• Partnerships & Network: Established relationships within the blockchain and international development sectors.
• Community Engagement: Experience engaging diverse participant groups (database of 3,000+ in Africa/LATAM).

Organizational Approach: Financial Management: Commitment to rigorous budget transparency and reporting. Adaptive Management: Approach adapts based on stakeholder feedback (essential for collaboration with the Intersect Committee). Transparency/Communication: Commitment to frequent updates and open data policy where appropriate.

The core deliverable is a MEAL framework designed for ongoing use by Project Catalyst and key community bodies such as the Intersect Committee. Alongside the framework, Phase 3 will produce practical guidance materials to support long-term monitoring and evaluation. Insights from the After-Action Review and the MEAL system are intended to inform future governance decisions, improve funding strategies, and refine Catalyst processes—ensuring the project’s outputs have lasting value. For long-term use, the framework may need to be integrated into future Catalyst or Intersect budgets and workflows.

This proposal is grounded in direct experience and ongoing engagement with the Cardano community. As a past proposer in Catalyst, I’ve personally encountered the system’s limitations—particularly the lack of transparency, unclear evaluation criteria, and minimal feedback loops. These issues have not only hindered individual participation but also reduced the overall effectiveness of the funding process.

Through regular conversations with other community members, it’s clear that this frustration is widely shared. Many have expressed a need for more accountability, better learning from past rounds, and clearer guidance on how funds are allocated and measured.

In addition to these grassroots insights, I interface regularly with the Cardano Foundation and have received funding from both Project Catalyst and the Foundation itself. This dual perspective—both as a participant and a partner—has provided deeper understanding of the challenges within Catalyst and the importance of addressing them for the health of the ecosystem.

Most importantly, the need to improve Project Catalyst and implement clearer funding mechanisms has been a recurring theme in discussions within the Membership and Community Committee, and is directly aligned with the Product Committee’s proposed 2025 Cardano Goals. This proposal responds to that strategic direction and reflects a broader consensus across multiple levels of the ecosystem that Catalyst must evolve to better serve the community.

Yes, this project relies on the goodwill and active collaboration of both the Project Catalyst team and, importantly, the Intersect Membership and Community Committee. Their engagement is essential to access context-specific insights that go beyond publicly available data, validate findings from the After-Action Review, and ensure that the co-designed MEAL framework is both practical and relevant. Their involvement is also key to securing broader community buy-in. While a good amount of historical data—such as proposals and some reports—is publicly available, effective co-design and implementation require close partnership with those who have deeper knowledge and direct experience with Catalyst.