The Significance of the Tezos Community Rewards Program
Something every single one of us has in common is that we like our efforts to be validated. In every human pursuit, we’ve grown to expect some sort of reward for a job well done. However, in a digital sea of talent and ambition, the feeling of being undervalued or even invisible is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid, especially for jobs that aren’t considered essential. Ironically, these non-essential jobs often are the ones that have withstood the test of time, such as the arts. It can also be argued that innovation falls within this paradoxical category, where the creation’s value rarely seems to equate to the impact said creation has on the world. Wouldn’t it be nice to see institutions rewarding those daring enough to innovate and create? What if you could have a direct say in who and what gets supported?
A Quick Refresher on CRP
There are initiatives dedicated to supporting and acknowledging those who go above and beyond, at least within the Tezos community, and one such initiative is the Community Rewards Program (CRP). The Tezos CRP was first introduced in October 2020 and has been occurring monthly ever since. With the help of community feedback, it has evolved along the way, but its purpose and functionality have remained the same. An excellent article about the program was written in 2022 by Cryptonio, and can be found here.
In summary, the program is funded by the Tezos Foundation, managed and operated by Tezos Commons. Every month, up to 5000 tez is dedicated to the reward pool. Any Tezos user can nominate who they think deserves recognition and support. It takes less than a minute to fill out the form, or alternatively, you can also use the hashtag #TezosCRP under tweets or in the Tezos Discord channel of who you think is worthy of a nomination.
So Why Do We Need CRP? Who benefits from this?
In the words of a respected artist in the Tezos community, PapaBearded, “I love the way it helps enable those grinding in the space to keep doing what they do! Every bit of institutional support that makes its way to artists and creators is a boon to the entire ecosystem if you ask me.”
This sentiment resonates across the Tezosphere. I can personally attest to the positive impact of CRP. In my early days of exploring Tezos, earning several nominations for my efforts was what bootstrapped my multi-year journey as an artist minting on Tezos. It also enabled me to explore DeFi, and gaming.
From a faucet-funded Kukai wallet and rewards from CRP, I have now minted over 500 artworks, collected over 2000 NFTs from other artists, and significantly improved my real life. CRP enabled me to spend my time networking, volunteering, experimenting with my artistry, and learning everything I can about Tezos.
Some More Quotes from CRP Nominees
AI Photo of a happy and supported creator. From a Tezos Dev: “Winning the Tezos Commons Community Rewards Program (CRP) awards has been incredibly impactful. Being recognized for my efforts in assimilation and development affirmed the importance of my work and encouraged me to push my boundaries. The rewards have helped me financially support my projects, allowing for more innovation and community engagement. The CRP embodies the spirit of Tezos, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. It’s been a privilege to be part of such a forward-thinking initiative, and I’m excited to see how it continues to shape our community.” - Skllzrmy From A Tezos Artist: “Winning the TC CRP award has been a huge surprise for me. Being recognized for my 2.5 years of effort in the Tezos ecosystem warms my heart, motivates me, and makes me want to contribute with even more enthusiasm. Since my first NFT, I’ve believed in Tezos’s potential to shape the future ‘Art Community’ worldwide. The way artists bond and collaborate within Tezos ecosystem creates an important culture with great potential for both the arts and artists. It is a huge honor and an even greater pleasure to be a member of this wonderful community and to contribute as much as possible. A huge thanks to everyone who nominated me.” - Paraxeno aka Plektani-Art From TezTones Co-Founder: “Winning the CRP was a surprise that snuck up on me during the beginning of the TezTones Season. It was a time where I was begrudgingly accepting my role of leadership in the project and it was very reaffirming and heartwarming to get the acknowledgment. - Hashbrown
Hopefully, these testimonies from active Tezos Community members help elaborate on why Tezos CRP is such a fantastic and useful program. There is no guarantee of the initiative’s longevity, but the more we as a community utilize it and share how it adds value to our lives, the greater our chances to keep it around long-term.
There are also other initiatives for Tezos Community to utilize when in need of support, such as TZ APAC. With their platform, Fortify Labs, several community builders have already received funding and support. Learn more about this amazing development with the article, Fortifying The Future” by Stu Elmes.
Nominations for CRP are up to the Community. Use It So We Don’t Lose It.
The Tezos Community Rewards Program (CRP) stands as a testament to the power of recognition and support within a decentralized community. By acknowledging and rewarding the efforts of its members, CRP not only boosts individual morale but also fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation. This program has proven to be an invaluable resource for artists, developers, and innovators, providing them with the financial and moral support needed to push the boundaries of what’s possible on the Tezos blockchain. As the community continues to grow and evolve, programs like CRP undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future, ensuring that those who contribute to the ecosystem are celebrated and empowered to keep innovating.
Why #Tezos CRP? was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
