Establishing GovWorks: A Meta-Governance SPE for Livepeer
Abstract
GovWorks is a proposed meta-governance Special Purpose Entity (SPE) designed to ensure transparent, efficient, and decentralized management of Livepeer’s governance processes and oversee the sustainable allocation of Livepeer’s onchain treasury. By providing governance oversight, treasury management, and structured support for other SPEs in the ecosystem, GovWorks will strengthen Livepeer’s capacity for sustainable growth while aligning with its mission. This proposal requests 9000 LPT from the onchain treasury to support the establishment and 6 months of GovWorks operations.
Motivation
Over the past year, Livepeer’s treasury has accumulated LPT through inflation, but without a dedicated governance body, treasury management and proposal processes lack structure and oversight. This gap has led to inefficiencies, limited transparency, and potential misalignment with the network’s mission. GovWorks will address these challenges by establishing a clear governance structure, implementing best practices, and providing continuous support for SPEs to ensure accountability and alignment with Livepeer’s goals.
Rationale
GovWorks will be a structured governance entity responsible for overseeing treasury allocations, evaluating SPE proposals, and setting accountability standards. By coordinating governance activities and supporting SPEs, GovWorks will further enable Livepeer’s growth in a transparent, decentralized environment. The requested funding will cover operational costs, resource development, and community engagement.
GovWorks Achievements So Far
GovWorks has already made notable progress in strengthening Livepeer’s governance ecosystem:
- SPE Support: Assisted multiple SPEs from pre-proposal to final approval to ensure impactful initiatives receive the resources they need, resulting in 3 new SPEs launched since GovWorks initiation.
- GovHub Launch: Created the Governance Hub, a centralized platform offering transparent treasury dashboards, contributor tools, and governance processes.
- Streamlined Governance Processes: Developed clear frameworks for Request-for-SPEs, Pre-Proposals, and SPE Proposal. Defined governance timelines and outlined parameters for proposal vote readiness to boost efficiency.
- Contribution Efficiency Framework (CEF): Established a system for SPE accountability that balances transparency with minimal bureaucracy.
- Community Engagement: Regularly hosting Treasury Talks to facilitate collaboration, gather feedback, and keep the community informed on ecosystem developments.
- SPE Formation Pipeline: Supporting the development of over five new SPEs currently in progress, ensuring they have the resources and guidance to succeed.
With the ratification of this SPE, GovWorks will build on these achievements and expand its impact in 2025.
Deliverables
The following key deliverables are planned for H1 2025:
- Governance Framework Development:
- Standardize proposal templates and improve governance processes.
- Implement reporting structures for all funded SPEs.
- Treasury Stewardship:
- Establish quarterly funding cadences and treasury allocation guidelines.
- Introduce a detailed public treasury dashboard.
- SPE Support and Accountability:
- Provide hands-on support to launch at least ten new SPEs.
- Implement the Contribution Efficiency Framework (CEF) for all SPEs.
- Publish 2 treasury utilization reports for Q1 and Q2
- Community Engagement:
- Host monthly Treasury Talks and maintain governance forums.
- Publish monthly governance digests summarizing key activities and outcomes.
GovWorks Governance Structure
Committee Members:
The GovWorks SPE will be managed by a dedicated team comprising governance experts and Livepeer community representatives:
- StableLab (Chair) – Governance advisory firm providing oversight and ensuring adherence to governance standards.
- Livepeer Inc. Members (2) – Offering operational and technical expertise.
- Community-Elected Members (2) – Representing the broader community to ensure decentralized decision-making
Roles and Responsibilities:
- GovWorks Chair (StableLab):
- Oversee GovWorks’ administrative processes.
- Host treasury-related events to engage the community.
- Maintain up-to-date governance, SPE, and treasury documentation via GovHub.
- Support SPEs with governance resources, accountability measures, and workflow guidance.
- Publish governance digests and facilitate SPE team formation when needed.
- SPE Coordinator (En @cult_leader_en , Livepeer Inc.):
- Manage the entire SPE formation and support process.
- Oversee the pipeline of SPEs from idea inception to proposal approval.
- Delegate proposal feedback responsibilities based on content.
- Inform stakeholders about governance timelines, active proposals, and voting opportunities.
- Reporting Coordinator/Financial Controller (Community-Elected Member):
- Manage the SPE reporting process and evaluate effectiveness.
- Post quarterly updates on governance activity, treasury utilization, and GovWorks’ budget.
- SPE Guides (Rich @honestly_rich , Livepeer Inc + 1x Community-Elected Members):
- Support SPE onboarding and clarify milestones.
- Connect SPEs to relevant Livepeer resources.
- Ensure SPEs make progress towards goals and intervene when necessary.
Decision-Making
GovWorks will operate through committee voting, with each member holding one vote. The Chair will cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie.
StableLab’s initial role as GovWorks Chair was established through Livepeer grants to define the foundational components of the working group. Upon the ratification of the GovWorks SPE, StableLab will continue to serve as Chair until June 2025, providing stability and continuity during the initial implementation phase. After this period, the committee will vote to elect a new Chair to ensure that leadership evolves in step with the community’s governance priorities and the ecosystem’s needs.
Implementation Steps
An overview of the steps to implement the GovWorks SPE over a duration of 6 months.
- Setup Phase (Month 1): Recruit committee members, establish a multisig for fund management, and finalize operational tools.
- SPE Support Infrastructure (Ongoing): Assist established and prospective SPEs in integrating governance resources and accountability measures.
- Community Engagement (Ongoing): Host monthly and biweekly community calls and publish governance digests to gather feedback.
- Performance Evaluation and Reporting (Months 3 and 6): Release quarterly reports to track SPE performance and governance outcomes.
Resources Needed
- Staffing: Chair (StableLab), 4 committee members.
- Tools: Governance templates, reporting structures, and community engagement platforms.
- Partnerships: Collaborate with Livepeer Inc. for technical support and the broader community for feedback.
Budget Breakdown
GovWorks requests 9,000 LPT for the initial 6-month period (Q1 and Q2 2025):
| Category | LPT | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chair Compensation | 6,000 | Oversight of governance processes, treasury management, and SPE support. |
| 2 Non-Livepeer Inc Community Members | 1,000 | Compensation for community-elected members (500 LPT each) for governance contributions. |
| Operational Tools and Platform Costs | 1,000 | Tools for governance documentation, proposal tracking, milestones reporting, and community engagement platforms. |
| Reserve for Contingencies | 1,000 | Buffer for unexpected operational expenses and additional support for SPE initiatives. |
| Total | 9,000 |
Funding Disbursement
Funds will be disbursed via a 3 / 5 multi-sig to ensure decentralization and collective governance of allocated funds throughout the 6-month period.
Expected Outcomes
- Community Engagement Metrics: Number of forums, discussions, and participants in governance sessions.
- SPE Funding Distributed: Number of SPEs funded and total funding allocated.
- Accountability Framework: Ensure adherence to the new SPE governance framework.
- Treasury Stewardship: Quarterly allocation of funds to approved SPEs.
- SPE Support Materials: Availability and regular updates of templates and resources.
- Quarterly Reports: Detailed reporting on fund usage, SPE performance, and community engagement.
Transparency and Accountability Methods
- Quarterly Reports: Publicly shared on the Livepeer Forum, detailing treasury allocations, SPE evaluations, and feedback.
- Community Engagement: Biweekly forums and quarterly updates for ongoing feedback.
- Final Six-Month Review: A comprehensive review of accomplishments and challenges, with a community vote on continuation or restructuring.
Key Terms
- GovWorks: The proposed governance working group responsible for overseeing governance processes and treasury allocation within Livepeer.
- SPE (Special Purpose Entity): Designated entities within Livepeer’s governance model that manage and distribute funds for specific ecosystem needs.
- StableLab: A governance advisory firm that will serve as Chair of GovWorks, providing impartial oversight and governance expertise.
