by 0x7bbea9c18cd0541acab8c19da2b11d0c03faef1c (Mxyzptlk)
Linked Draft Proposal
Open Access to DAO-Owned Land Parcels for Learning and Creative Exploration
Summary
Launch a program that transforms unused DAO land into spaces for innovation, collaboration, cultural expression, and exploration — accessible without proposals and open to anyone with a vision to build or experiment.
Abstract
The Decentraland DAO collectively holds one of the most valuable and impactful resources in the metaverse: its land. These parcels are more than virtual real estate — they are the foundation upon which creativity, culture, education, and innovation can thrive. Yet much of this land remains dormant, leaving its potential untapped. The DAO Land Access Program aims to change that by transforming idle parcels into active, purposeful spaces that support experimentation, learning, and meaningful community-driven experiences.
This program establishes a structured, transparent, and inclusive framework for temporary land access. Through a straightforward application process, individuals, teams, organizations, and collaborative groups will be able to request short-term use of DAO-owned parcels for a wide range of initiatives. These can include experimental builds, cultural or artistic showcases, educational projects, games, research, social hubs, and immersive experiences — or entirely new categories of metaverse interaction. By lowering barriers to access, the program encourages innovation from both newcomers exploring Decentraland for the first time and experienced creators seeking to prototype, iterate, or launch ambitious ideas.
Access under this program is temporary, conditional, and revocable, ensuring that all projects remain aligned with DAO values, content guidelines, and community standards. Applications will be evaluated based on their potential ecosystem benefit, creativity, inclusiveness, educational value, and social impact. A streamlined submission and review process replaces the need for a full governance proposal on each individual request, allowing projects to progress from concept to deployment more quickly while still maintaining accountability and oversight.
Participants who wish to continue their projects beyond the initial term may submit an extension request, enabling successful builds to evolve and grow over time. Importantly, while the primary purpose of the program is to increase land utilization and community engagement, it also envisions pathways for deeper, long-term involvement. Projects that deliver exceptional value — whether through user adoption, education, cultural contribution, or platform growth — may become candidates for ownership opportunities.
Any such transition from temporary use to ownership — whether at a discounted rate, near floor price, or even at no cost — will not be automatic. These cases will require a separate governance proposal and DAO-wide vote, ensuring that decisions about the permanent transfer of community-owned assets remain fully decentralized and subject to collective approval. This safeguard guarantees that ownership decisions reflect the will of the community and that DAO land continues to be managed in a way that aligns with shared priorities and values.
By implementing this program, the DAO ensures that its land is not simply held, but actively used to advance the ecosystem. It will transform static parcels into dynamic environments that evolve with the community’s imagination — fueling creativity, education, and collaboration, and positioning Decentraland as a more vibrant, engaging, and participatory metaverse.
Motivation
Several years ago, the DAO approved a proposal to strategically “sweep the floor” by purchasing land parcels on the open market. The goal was to strengthen the DAO’s treasury, support land values, and ensure that key parts of Decentraland remained in community hands. That mission succeeded — roughly 68 individual parcels (and possibly more than 80 total, including estates) were acquired — but the acquisition phase ended without a clear plan for how those parcels would ultimately be used. As a result, much of this land now sits idle, providing no direct benefit to the ecosystem or the community.
This underutilization represents more than just empty space on the map — it is untapped potential. Each dormant parcel could host events, showcase art, support educational projects, serve as social hubs, or pioneer new forms of interaction. By leaving this land inactive, the DAO misses opportunities to onboard new users, empower creators, foster experimentation, and demonstrate the value and versatility of the platform.
The motivation behind the DAO Land Access Program is to transform these idle assets into active, evolving spaces that benefit the community. Rather than simply holding land as a passive treasury asset, the DAO can activate it as a catalyst for creativity, education, collaboration, and innovation. Through structured, temporary access, individuals, DAOs, educators, organizations, and collaborative groups can use these parcels for a wide range of projects — from experimental builds and cultural events to learning experiences and social infrastructure.
This approach also reduces a significant barrier to entry. Land ownership has historically limited who can build and experiment in Decentraland. By providing temporary access, the DAO can open the door to a more diverse range of participants, encouraging new ideas and expanding the creator base without requiring financial investment up front.
Finally, the program builds a pathway for future community decisions. While its main purpose is to activate unused land, projects that demonstrate exceptional value — whether through engagement, education, or ecosystem growth — could later be considered for permanent land opportunities. Any transition from temporary use to ownership, including discounted purchases or no-cost transfers, would still require a separate governance proposal and DAO-wide vote. This ensures that control over community-owned assets remains democratic and transparent.
In short, the DAO holds valuable land that was strategically acquired but now lacks purpose. This program offers a clear solution: put those parcels to work for the community, unlock their potential, and ensure they contribute meaningfully to Decentraland’s long-term growth and evolution.
Specification
The DAO Land Access Program creates a clear and structured framework for temporarily activating DAO-owned parcels. It defines how applications are submitted, reviewed, approved, extended, and — in exceptional cases — considered for long-term opportunities, while maintaining transparency and alignment with DAO values.
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Application Process
Community members, creators, DAOs, educators, and organizations can request parcel access by submitting a standardized application. The form collects essential information: project purpose, duration, intended outcomes, and wallet address for land delegation. Applicants outline how their project benefits the Decentraland ecosystem and select potential use types such as events, art, education, social spaces, or prototypes. -
Review and Approval
Applications are evaluated under the DAO’s current governance structure based on clarity, feasibility, creativity, community impact, and compliance with policies. Approved projects receive access for a defined term — typically 30 to 90 days. All approvals will be documented publicly for transparency. -
Terms of Use and Revocation
Access is temporary, conditional, and revocable. Approved users must follow DAO guidelines and use parcels only as described. Violations — including misuse, harmful content, or inactivity — may lead to immediate revocation. At the end of the term, land returns to DAO control unless renewed. -
Extensions
Participants may apply for an extension before their term ends by submitting a short renewal form summarizing results, success metrics, and planned next steps. Renewals depend on demonstrated impact, continued alignment with DAO priorities, and land availability. Extensions will generally mirror or be shorter than the original term. -
Long-Term Opportunities
While the program’s focus is temporary access, projects delivering exceptional value — such as significant user engagement, education, or ecosystem growth — may be considered for further involvement. This could include discounted purchases, earn-to-own paths, or sponsored transfers. Any permanent ownership decision will require a separate governance proposal and DAO-wide vote. -
Oversight and Reporting
Periodic reports summarizing the number of applications, approvals, renewals, parcel utilization, and notable outcomes will be published. These updates will help guide future improvements and ensure accountability.
This program transforms unused DAO land into active, evolving spaces while preserving governance oversight. It lowers barriers to participation, encourages experimentation, and supports a wide range of creative, educational, and social projects — all while keeping ultimate control over community-owned assets in the hands of the DAO.
Impacts
The DAO Land Access Program will have significant, measurable effects across Decentraland’s ecosystem — socially, culturally, educationally, and economically. By transforming idle parcels into active spaces, the program converts a passive treasury asset into a driver of growth and engagement.
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Cultural and Creative Impact
Activating DAO-owned land will immediately diversify and enrich the platform’s content. New builds, art installations, interactive games, and events will showcase the community’s creativity and make Decentraland feel dynamic and ever-evolving. Regular new activity will attract users back and inspire first-time visitors. -
Social and Community Impact
Active land use will strengthen community engagement and collaboration. It creates new entry points for participation, bringing together creators, users, and newcomers in shared experiences. The program lowers barriers, allowing more people to experiment, contribute ideas, and connect — regardless of whether they own land. -
Educational Impact
By removing financial barriers, the program provides a practical environment for learning and skill development. Builders can experiment, refine their skills, and gain experience. Educators and organizations can host workshops, events, and training programs that expand knowledge of Web3, 3D design, and decentralized governance. -
Economic and Ecosystem Impact
While it does not directly generate revenue, the program can strengthen the ecosystem’s economic activity. More active parcels drive engagement, which supports demand for wearables, services, and events. It can also open doors to partnerships, sponsorships, and grant-funded initiatives that expand the DAO’s reach and visibility. -
Governance Impact
The program demonstrates responsible stewardship of DAO-owned assets. It shows the community that land purchased through earlier initiatives is being actively deployed to serve shared goals. Requiring a DAO-wide vote for any permanent transfer preserves transparency and ensures community oversight over strategic decisions. -
Long-Term Outcomes
Sustained land activation can reshape Decentraland’s reputation and utility. Instead of a static map, the platform becomes a living, community-driven environment that evolves through user participation. This vibrancy can improve retention, attract new users, and position Decentraland as a leading example of an open, user-generated virtual world.
By unlocking the potential of dormant parcels, the DAO turns a static resource into a catalyst for innovation and growth — strengthening the community, expanding participation, and ensuring Decentraland continues to evolve as a vibrant, collaborative metaverse.
Implementation Pathways
The DAO Land Access Program will be deployed in carefully planned stages to ensure an effective rollout, maintain accountability, and allow for adjustments as the program evolves. This phased approach balances speed with governance oversight and community input.
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Phase One – Framework Finalization (0–1 month)
Once approved, the DAO will finalize the program’s documentation and internal processes. This includes publishing application and renewal forms, establishing review workflows, defining parcel allocation guidelines, and setting up public reporting standards. Available parcels will be listed so applicants know what is open for use. -
Phase Two – Pilot Launch (1–3 months)
A small-scale pilot will test the program with a limited number of parcels and participants. The goals are to validate the application and review process, identify challenges, and gather feedback from participants and the community. Pilot projects will typically run for 30–90 days, after which results will inform refinements before full rollout. -
Phase Three – Full Deployment (3–6 months)
With improvements from the pilot, the program will scale to include more parcels and broader participation. A public application portal will open, review cycles will be scheduled, and clear criteria will guide approvals. Regular reporting on project activity, approvals, and parcel utilization will ensure transparency and inform future decisions. -
Phase Four – Long-Term Review and Evolution (6–12 months)
After the first six to twelve months, the DAO will conduct a comprehensive review to measure success. Key metrics include application volume, utilization rates, user engagement, and project diversity. Findings may lead to expanded categories (e.g., themed parcel calls for art or education), improved onboarding resources, or incentive programs. -
Ongoing Governance for Ownership
If any project demonstrates significant, long-term community value and seeks permanent ownership, it will trigger a separate governance process. Any discounted sales, earn-to-own opportunities, or free transfers must be decided by the community through a dedicated proposal and DAO vote, ensuring that permanent decisions remain transparent and democratic.
This structured rollout allows the DAO to move quickly while staying adaptable. It minimizes risk, encourages feedback, and ensures that every stage — from initial testing to long-term evolution — reflects the priorities and values of the Decentraland community. Over time, this phased approach will transform dormant land into an evolving ecosystem of creative projects, educational spaces, and community-driven initiatives.
Conclusion
The DAO Land Access Program represents a strategic evolution in how Decentraland manages and utilizes its collective assets. What began as a successful initiative to purchase and safeguard land for the community’s future has now reached a pivotal moment: the DAO holds a significant portfolio of parcels — valuable digital real estate that, without purposeful use, remains static and underutilized. This proposal offers a clear, actionable path forward: turning those dormant parcels into dynamic spaces that fuel creativity, collaboration, education, and growth.
The vision behind this program is rooted in one simple idea: land should not just be owned — it should be activated. When transformed into environments for art, learning, experimentation, and social interaction, these parcels become more than property. They become catalysts for innovation, entry points for new users, and platforms for meaningful experiences that strengthen the Decentraland ecosystem. By lowering barriers to participation, the program empowers creators of all kinds — from individuals learning to build for the first time to established DAOs, educators, and cultural organizations — to contribute directly to the metaverse’s evolution.
Equally important, this proposal upholds the principles of decentralization and democratic governance. All access remains temporary and conditional, ensuring that land continues to serve the collective interest. And should any project demonstrate exceptional long-term value, the pathway to ownership — whether through discounted sales, earned rights, or free allocation — will always require a separate governance vote, preserving the community’s authority over how its shared assets are used.
The benefits of this approach extend far beyond individual projects. It will lead to a richer landscape of interactive content, a more engaged and diverse user base, and new opportunities for education, innovation, and collaboration. It will demonstrate the DAO’s capacity to adapt and evolve — to turn prior strategic decisions into forward-looking initiatives that meet the needs of today’s ecosystem and anticipate the possibilities of tomorrow.
This proposal is more than an operational plan — it’s a commitment to growth, inclusivity, and purpose. It acknowledges the successes of the past while addressing the realities of the present and setting a course for a more vibrant, participatory future. By approving this initiative, the DAO will unlock the full potential of its land, empower a new generation of builders and innovators, and take a decisive step toward a Decentraland that is not just built by its community, but alive because of it.
