{"fee": "5", "thesis": "In an effort to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change in Latin America, our grants round seeks to empower and catalyze growth within the regenerative finance ecosystem. By prioritizing ReFi Local Nodes and Web3 based projects that leverage Arbitrum blockchain technology, we aim to foster innovative solutions that contribute to the sustainability and regeneration of local environments, cultures, and communities.\n\nTypes of Projects Prioritized\nOur grant program focuses on projects within the Regenerative Finance (ReFi) ecosystem based in Latin America, with a specific emphasis on those utilizing web3 and Arbitrum blockchain technologies. Priority will be given to initiatives that:\n- Address critical climate challenges in the region through innovative, Arbitrum blockchain-enabled solutions.\n- Promote education, awareness, and community engagement in environmental preservation, reforestation, and sustainable living practices.\n- Support the activation and mobilization of local communities for environmental clean-up, reforestation efforts, and the adoption of sustainable travel practices.\n- Aim to preserve and integrate indigenous knowledge and practices into environmental solutions, supporting indigenous communities directly affected by climate change.\n- Facilitate the growth and adoption of ecotechnologies and sustainable lifestyles to mitigate environmental degradation and climate change impacts.\n- Work towards reducing inequities and enhancing diversity and inclusion within the context of environmental stewardship.\n\nDesired Impact of Funding\nThe funding is designed to support projects that are in dire need of resources to continue their operations and expand their impact. Our objective is to cultivate a thriving ecosystem of regenerative local projects in Latin America focused on tackling the most pressing local challenges posed by climate change. Through targeted funding, we aim to achieve:\n- Enhanced community education and engagement in combating climate change.\n- Significant contributions to local reforestation efforts, pollution cleanup, and sustainable practices adoption.\n- Empowerment of indigenous communities through the recognition and utilization of their knowledge in climate change solutions.\n- The advancement of ecotechnologies and sustainable living methods, contributing to the reduction of carbon footprints and environmental restoration.\n- A reduction in social and economic disparities exacerbated by climate change, promoting inclusivity and diversity in environmental initiatives.\n\nTo highlight the urgency of our mission, it's important to note that Latin America is home to some of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems, which are increasingly threatened by climate change. For instance, the Amazon rainforest, also known as the \"Lungs of the Earth,\" is essential for global oxygen production and carbon dioxide consumption. Yet, it faces unprecedented deforestation rates. Projects aiming to protect and regenerate such crucial natural resources are vital for our planet's health.\n\nEvaluation of Grant Effectiveness\nTo ensure the impactful allocation of our resources, grant recipients will be required to demonstrate their project's progress and success. This will include:\n- Adding \"ReFi Latam\" to their Lu.ma page to facilitate the tracking of events and engagements related to the project.\n- Submitting periodic reports to ReFi Latam detailing the actions and initiatives supported by the grant. These reports should encompass outcomes such as community engagement metrics, educational event attendance, reforestation and clean-up project impacts, and any advancements in sustainable practices or technologies.\n\nThe continuous eligibility for future grant opportunities will depend on the submission of these reports and the demonstrated effectiveness of the projects in achieving their stated objectives. Our commitment is to not only fund but also to foster a supportive ecosystem where regenerative finance and climate initiatives can thrive and create lasting change in Latin America.\n", "extraInfo": "", "extraLink": "", "guidelines": "To ensure the effective and equitable distribution of our grants, it is crucial that all applicants adhere to the following submission guidelines. These guidelines are designed to identify projects that align with our mission to foster innovative, regenerative, and sustainable solutions to climate change in Latin America.\n\nGeographic and Foundational Criteria\n- Project Base: The project must be based in Latin America. This is essential to ensure that the solutions developed are directly applicable and beneficial to the local ecosystems, communities, and environments most impacted by climate change in the region.\n- Founder Residency: The founders of the project must be based in Latin America. It is important that they live in the region rather than merely traveling there for short periods. This ensures a deep, personal commitment to addressing local challenges and contributes to the long-term sustainability and impact of the project.\n\nExperience and Operational Criteria\n- Proven Experience: Founders must have proven experience in managing and executing the core activities related to their Regenerative Finance (ReFi) project. This experience is critical to ensuring the project's success and its ability to effectively utilize the grant.\n- Operational History: The project must have at least 3 months of proven activity. This can be demonstrated through various channels such as Twitter updates, Instagram Accounts, online events, local gatherings, etc. A documented history of engagement and activity will help to gauge the project's commitment and impact on the community.\n\nTechnological and Partnership Criteria\n- Blockchain (Arbitrum) Technology: The project must be leveraging blockchain (Arbitrum) technology or demonstrate a willingness and a plan to implement blockchain (Arbitrum) technology in its activities. This is crucial for alignment with our focus on innovative and sustainable solutions within the ReFi ecosystem.\n- Lu.ma Page Access: To facilitate tracking and support, the project must agree to give access to a Lu.ma page to ReFi LatAm. This allows for efficient monitoring of the project's events, activities, and overall engagement.\n\nReporting and Agreement\n- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): Projects must sign a memorandum of understanding with ReFi Latam. This MoU outlines the responsibilities of both parties and ensures a mutual commitment to the goals of the grant and the broader mission of fostering sustainable, blockchain-enabled solutions to climate change in Latin America.\n- Periodical Check-Ins: Following the receipt of funding, the project must submit periodic check-ins detailing the activities conducted, the progress made, and the impact achieved. These check-ins are crucial for maintaining transparency, accountability, and ensuring continued support and eligibility for future opportunities.\n"}