Polkadot Hubs

Roles and circumstances may differ around the world but few key guidelines can be implemented at every Polkadot Hub. Based on our experience and the key takeaways from the first version of this proposal we listed the following guidelines and roles taking care of key tasks of the Hub.

To establish a Polkadot hub, certain requirements must be met to ensure success. First and foremost, there must be a team of at least two Polkadot ambassadors who will act as co-founders. These co-founders must designate their roles, including a general manager (CEO) and a VP (to assume the general manager's responsibilities if they are unavailable or resign). Multisign approach and on-chain identity are a must! In addition to these prerequisites, the co-founders must demonstrate that they have met the criteria specified in the franchise contract. This can be accomplished by writing a proposal that highlights their expertise in both Polkadot and the local region. The proposal must also include a well-detailed calculation of the costs associated with running a Polkadot hub in the area. Once the co-founders have passed the educational requirements and satisfied the franchise contract criteria, they must stake a specified amount of DOT to become eligible for the upcoming founding by the curators. This will function as a deposit, which they will receive back after accomplishing the planned success metrics for the agreed timeframe. However, any inactivity or malicious acts may result in a punishment of slashed staked DOTs. Finally, to ensure that the hubs are fully operational, a designated representative will travel around the world and appear randomly at different hubs. This is done to guarantee that the hubs are operating as intended and to maintain the highest standards of quality. In conclusion, establishing a Polkadot hub is a serious undertaking that requires a thorough understanding of both Polkadot and the local region. However, with careful planning and execution, the rewards can be significant, both for the co-founders and for the broader Polkadot community.

Further features for guidelines

1. Embrace the Web3 Community: Building a Web3 hub is all about community. Embrace the Web3 community and create a welcoming environment for everyone. Foster a positive culture that encourages collaboration, innovation, and open communication.

2. Focus on Education: Web3 is still an emerging technology, and many people are not familiar with it. Focus on education and provide resources to help people learn about Web3, its benefits, and how to use it.

3. Recruit the Right People: Your team is critical to the success of your Web3 hub. Recruit people who are passionate about Web3, understand the technology and can help educate others. You need team members who can contribute to building a community, not just people with technical skills.

4. Leverage the Power of the Blockchain: Web3 is built on the blockchain, and you need to leverage its power. Explore new use cases and applications for blockchain technology to create innovative solutions for your community.

5. Encourage Innovation: Innovation is at the heart of Web3. Encourage your team to experiment with new ideas and approaches to build a better Web3 hub.

6. Build Strong Partnerships: Web3 is a collaborative environment, and you need strong partnerships to succeed. Build relationships with other Web3 hubs, developers, and organizations that share your values and goals.

7. Be Transparent: Transparency is critical in Web3. Be open and transparent about your operations, governance, and decision-making processes.

8. Embrace Decentralization: Decentralization is a core principle of Web3. Embrace decentralization in your governance structure and decision-making processes.

9. Stay Up-to-Date: Web3 is a rapidly evolving technology, and you need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, tools, and best practices. Attend industry events, read relevant publications, and participate in online forums.

By following these guidelines, you can build a successful Web3 hub that is built on strong partnerships, innovative solutions, and a vibrant community.

The gateway model, inspired by hackerspaces

Polkadot Hubs should be perceived as a “common-good” within the Polkadot community. They are not created to generate revenue, their goal is to be self-sustaining. Building a self-sustaining financial model for a hub requires careful planning and analysis of the costs and revenue streams. A solid financial model will help ensure the hub's long-term sustainability and eventual cost neutrality.

Quality and reputational requirements

Dos:

1. Provide the Hub statement

2. Provide access to the Polkadot ecosystem members

3. Keep up high standards regarding Polkadot branding and looks

4. Keep the Hub clean, secure and safe.

5. Keep the hub active (activity level depends on tier)

6. Care about mental health

7. Build your Hub’s policy (including these dos and don’ts)

8. Keep the rules straight

9. Keep track of activities in the hub

10. Support the Polkadot and Kusama ecosystem

Don’ts:

1. Never promote other brands, everyone else is partner or sponsor

2. Never promote non-ecosystem projects

3. No paid advertisement allowed

4. Not promote harmful activities or trading/shilling

5. If something is not clear from the dos and don’ts, please read the detailed explanations below why these are the requirements for Hubs. If you think a change is needed, please contact the Collective.