{"id":17480,"date":"2026-02-21T00:17:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T00:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cryptoted.net\/index.php\/2026\/02\/21\/world-experience-updates-from-the-next-billion-fellowship\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T00:17:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T00:17:01","slug":"world-experience-updates-from-the-next-billion-fellowship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cryptoted.net\/index.php\/2026\/02\/21\/world-experience-updates-from-the-next-billion-fellowship\/","title":{"rendered":"World Experience: Updates from the Next Billion Fellowship"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/ethereum-hackmd\/upload_c6b75b2e22eea68c595252ddaac259e6.jpeg\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<blockquote class=\"chakra-code css-gk0tva\">\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\"><em class=\"chakra-text css-0\">This is an update from the Next Billion Fellowship Program. Applications are rolling and open for cohort 6 beginning in October 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\">Individuals interacting with an application have a <em class=\"chakra-text css-0\">user experience<\/em>. Collectives interacting with a protocol have a <em class=\"chakra-text css-0\">world experience<\/em>. There are many worlds that the Ethereum protocol touches; places where organizations, communities, or institutions experience trust through coordination. The Next Billion Fellowship is a program to support individuals working on new use cases and improving trust experience within the world computer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\">The stories of a global protocol are as diverse and varied as the humans that use it. In this update five Next Billion Alumni share stories about their Fellowship experience, and four new Next Billion Fellows are introduced.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/nxbn.ethereum.foundation\/fellowship\/Devansh\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"background:var(--chakra-colors-bg-callout);border:1px solid var(--chakra-colors-gray-200);color:var(--chakra-colors-fg) !important;border-radius:8px;padding:1.5rem;margin:2rem 0;box-shadow:0 2px 4px var(--chakra-colors-blackAlpha-100);transition:all 0.2s ease\">\n<h3 class=\"chakra-heading group css-xuzltg\" id=\"-----devansh-mehta-impact-certificates-and-citizen-journalism-\" data-group=\"true\"><a class=\"chakra-link css-128fqrf\" aria-label=\"     devansh mehta impact certificates and citizen journalism  permalink\" href=\"#-----devansh-mehta-impact-certificates-and-citizen-journalism-\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"chakra-icon css-173jpr1\"><g fill=\"currentColor\"><path d=\"M10.458,18.374,7.721,21.11a2.853,2.853,0,0,1-3.942,0l-.892-.891a2.787,2.787,0,0,1,0-3.941l5.8-5.8a2.789,2.789,0,0,1,3.942,0l.893.892A1,1,0,0,0,14.94,9.952l-.893-.892a4.791,4.791,0,0,0-6.771,0l-5.8,5.8a4.787,4.787,0,0,0,0,6.77l.892.891a4.785,4.785,0,0,0,6.771,0l2.736-2.735a1,1,0,1,0-1.414-1.415Z\"\/><path d=\"M22.526,2.363l-.892-.892a4.8,4.8,0,0,0-6.77,0l-2.905,2.9a1,1,0,0,0,1.414,1.414l2.9-2.9a2.79,2.79,0,0,1,3.941,0l.893.893a2.786,2.786,0,0,1,0,3.942l-5.8,5.8a2.769,2.769,0,0,1-1.971.817h0a2.766,2.766,0,0,1-1.969-.816,1,1,0,1,0-1.415,1.412,4.751,4.751,0,0,0,3.384,1.4h0a4.752,4.752,0,0,0,3.385-1.4l5.8-5.8a4.786,4.786,0,0,0,0-6.771Z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><br \/>\n    \ud83d\udcf0 Devansh Mehta: Impact Certificates and Citizen Journalism<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\">\n    Through Devansh&#8217;s marketplace, real-world outcomes from journalism become tradeable impact certificates, creating direct funding paths between positive social change and the reporters who uncover the truth.\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/nxbn.ethereum.foundation\/fellowship\/Guo\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"background:var(--chakra-colors-bg-callout);border:1px solid var(--chakra-colors-gray-200);color:var(--chakra-colors-fg) !important;border-radius:8px;padding:1.5rem;margin:2rem 0;box-shadow:0 2px 4px var(--chakra-colors-blackAlpha-100);transition:all 0.2s ease\">\n<h3 class=\"chakra-heading group css-xuzltg\" id=\"----\ufe0f-guo-liu-billboard-protocol-for-decentralized-publishing-\" data-group=\"true\"><a class=\"chakra-link css-128fqrf\" aria-label=\"    \ufe0f guo liu billboard protocol for decentralized publishing  permalink\" href=\"#----\ufe0f-guo-liu-billboard-protocol-for-decentralized-publishing-\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"chakra-icon css-173jpr1\"><g fill=\"currentColor\"><path d=\"M10.458,18.374,7.721,21.11a2.853,2.853,0,0,1-3.942,0l-.892-.891a2.787,2.787,0,0,1,0-3.941l5.8-5.8a2.789,2.789,0,0,1,3.942,0l.893.892A1,1,0,0,0,14.94,9.952l-.893-.892a4.791,4.791,0,0,0-6.771,0l-5.8,5.8a4.787,4.787,0,0,0,0,6.77l.892.891a4.785,4.785,0,0,0,6.771,0l2.736-2.735a1,1,0,1,0-1.414-1.415Z\"\/><path d=\"M22.526,2.363l-.892-.892a4.8,4.8,0,0,0-6.77,0l-2.905,2.9a1,1,0,0,0,1.414,1.414l2.9-2.9a2.79,2.79,0,0,1,3.941,0l.893.893a2.786,2.786,0,0,1,0,3.942l-5.8,5.8a2.769,2.769,0,0,1-1.971.817h0a2.766,2.766,0,0,1-1.969-.816,1,1,0,1,0-1.415,1.412,4.751,4.751,0,0,0,3.384,1.4h0a4.752,4.752,0,0,0,3.385-1.4l5.8-5.8a4.786,4.786,0,0,0,0-6.771Z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><br \/>\n    \ud83d\udda5\ufe0f Guo Liu: Billboard Protocol for Decentralized Publishing<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\">\n    The billboard protocol created by Guo transforms digital advertising spaces into community-controlled assets, reclaiming the internet as a place for thoughtful engagement rather than attention extraction.\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/nxbn.ethereum.foundation\/fellowship\/Lefteris\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"background:var(--chakra-colors-bg-callout);border:1px solid var(--chakra-colors-gray-200);color:var(--chakra-colors-fg) !important;border-radius:8px;padding:1.5rem;margin:2rem 0;box-shadow:0 2px 4px var(--chakra-colors-blackAlpha-100);transition:all 0.2s ease\">\n<h3 class=\"chakra-heading group css-xuzltg\" id=\"-----lefteris-arapakis-fishing-for-the-commons-with-enaleia-\" data-group=\"true\"><a class=\"chakra-link css-128fqrf\" aria-label=\"     lefteris arapakis fishing for the commons with enaleia  permalink\" href=\"#-----lefteris-arapakis-fishing-for-the-commons-with-enaleia-\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"chakra-icon css-173jpr1\"><g fill=\"currentColor\"><path d=\"M10.458,18.374,7.721,21.11a2.853,2.853,0,0,1-3.942,0l-.892-.891a2.787,2.787,0,0,1,0-3.941l5.8-5.8a2.789,2.789,0,0,1,3.942,0l.893.892A1,1,0,0,0,14.94,9.952l-.893-.892a4.791,4.791,0,0,0-6.771,0l-5.8,5.8a4.787,4.787,0,0,0,0,6.77l.892.891a4.785,4.785,0,0,0,6.771,0l2.736-2.735a1,1,0,1,0-1.414-1.415Z\"\/><path d=\"M22.526,2.363l-.892-.892a4.8,4.8,0,0,0-6.77,0l-2.905,2.9a1,1,0,0,0,1.414,1.414l2.9-2.9a2.79,2.79,0,0,1,3.941,0l.893.893a2.786,2.786,0,0,1,0,3.942l-5.8,5.8a2.769,2.769,0,0,1-1.971.817h0a2.766,2.766,0,0,1-1.969-.816,1,1,0,1,0-1.415,1.412,4.751,4.751,0,0,0,3.384,1.4h0a4.752,4.752,0,0,0,3.385-1.4l5.8-5.8a4.786,4.786,0,0,0,0-6.771Z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><br \/>\n    \ud83c\udf0a Lefteris Arapakis: Fishing for the Commons with Enaleia<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\">\n    Transforming Mediterranean fishing communities into environmental stewards through Enaleia&#8217;s blockchain-tracked supply chain for ocean plastic, creating a protocol to regenerate our shared sea commons.\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/nxbn.ethereum.foundation\/fellowship\/Rebecca\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"background:var(--chakra-colors-bg-callout);border:1px solid var(--chakra-colors-gray-200);color:var(--chakra-colors-fg) !important;border-radius:8px;padding:1.5rem;margin:2rem 0;box-shadow:0 2px 4px var(--chakra-colors-blackAlpha-100);transition:all 0.2s ease\">\n<h3 class=\"chakra-heading group css-xuzltg\" id=\"-----rebecca-mqamelo-commitment-pooling-as-social-technology-\" data-group=\"true\"><a class=\"chakra-link css-128fqrf\" aria-label=\"     rebecca mqamelo commitment pooling as social technology  permalink\" href=\"#-----rebecca-mqamelo-commitment-pooling-as-social-technology-\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"chakra-icon css-173jpr1\"><g fill=\"currentColor\"><path d=\"M10.458,18.374,7.721,21.11a2.853,2.853,0,0,1-3.942,0l-.892-.891a2.787,2.787,0,0,1,0-3.941l5.8-5.8a2.789,2.789,0,0,1,3.942,0l.893.892A1,1,0,0,0,14.94,9.952l-.893-.892a4.791,4.791,0,0,0-6.771,0l-5.8,5.8a4.787,4.787,0,0,0,0,6.77l.892.891a4.785,4.785,0,0,0,6.771,0l2.736-2.735a1,1,0,1,0-1.414-1.415Z\"\/><path d=\"M22.526,2.363l-.892-.892a4.8,4.8,0,0,0-6.77,0l-2.905,2.9a1,1,0,0,0,1.414,1.414l2.9-2.9a2.79,2.79,0,0,1,3.941,0l.893.893a2.786,2.786,0,0,1,0,3.942l-5.8,5.8a2.769,2.769,0,0,1-1.971.817h0a2.766,2.766,0,0,1-1.969-.816,1,1,0,1,0-1.415,1.412,4.751,4.751,0,0,0,3.384,1.4h0a4.752,4.752,0,0,0,3.385-1.4l5.8-5.8a4.786,4.786,0,0,0,0-6.771Z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><br \/>\n    \ud83c\udf0d Rebecca Mqamelo: Commitment Pooling as Social Technology<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\">\n    Exploring how blockchain-based commitment pooling can revitalize indigenous economic practices in Ocean View, South Africa, transforming social contracts into tools for community resource coordination.\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/nxbn.ethereum.foundation\/fellowship\/Valeriia\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"background:var(--chakra-colors-bg-callout);border:1px solid var(--chakra-colors-gray-200);color:var(--chakra-colors-fg) !important;border-radius:8px;padding:1.5rem;margin:2rem 0;box-shadow:0 2px 4px var(--chakra-colors-blackAlpha-100);transition:all 0.2s ease\">\n<h3 class=\"chakra-heading group css-xuzltg\" id=\"-----valeriia-panina-volya-web3-through-the-peoples-lens-\" data-group=\"true\"><a class=\"chakra-link css-128fqrf\" aria-label=\"     valeriia panina volya web3 through the peoples lens  permalink\" href=\"#-----valeriia-panina-volya-web3-through-the-peoples-lens-\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"chakra-icon css-173jpr1\"><g fill=\"currentColor\"><path d=\"M10.458,18.374,7.721,21.11a2.853,2.853,0,0,1-3.942,0l-.892-.891a2.787,2.787,0,0,1,0-3.941l5.8-5.8a2.789,2.789,0,0,1,3.942,0l.893.892A1,1,0,0,0,14.94,9.952l-.893-.892a4.791,4.791,0,0,0-6.771,0l-5.8,5.8a4.787,4.787,0,0,0,0,6.77l.892.891a4.785,4.785,0,0,0,6.771,0l2.736-2.735a1,1,0,1,0-1.414-1.415Z\"\/><path d=\"M22.526,2.363l-.892-.892a4.8,4.8,0,0,0-6.77,0l-2.905,2.9a1,1,0,0,0,1.414,1.414l2.9-2.9a2.79,2.79,0,0,1,3.941,0l.893.893a2.786,2.786,0,0,1,0,3.942l-5.8,5.8a2.769,2.769,0,0,1-1.971.817h0a2.766,2.766,0,0,1-1.969-.816,1,1,0,1,0-1.415,1.412,4.751,4.751,0,0,0,3.384,1.4h0a4.752,4.752,0,0,0,3.385-1.4l5.8-5.8a4.786,4.786,0,0,0,0-6.771Z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><br \/>\n    \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 Valeriia Panina: Volya: Web3 Through the People&#8217;s Lens<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\">\n    Documenting the transformative intersection of war, technology, and social resilience in Ukraine, where crypto has evolved from an emergency lifeline to a paradigm shift in how people relate to institutions and trust.\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"chakra-heading group css-xuzltg\" id=\"cohort-5\" data-group=\"true\"><a class=\"chakra-link css-128fqrf\" aria-label=\"cohort 5 permalink\" href=\"#cohort-5\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"chakra-icon css-173jpr1\"><g fill=\"currentColor\"><path d=\"M10.458,18.374,7.721,21.11a2.853,2.853,0,0,1-3.942,0l-.892-.891a2.787,2.787,0,0,1,0-3.941l5.8-5.8a2.789,2.789,0,0,1,3.942,0l.893.892A1,1,0,0,0,14.94,9.952l-.893-.892a4.791,4.791,0,0,0-6.771,0l-5.8,5.8a4.787,4.787,0,0,0,0,6.77l.892.891a4.785,4.785,0,0,0,6.771,0l2.736-2.735a1,1,0,1,0-1.414-1.415Z\"\/><path d=\"M22.526,2.363l-.892-.892a4.8,4.8,0,0,0-6.77,0l-2.905,2.9a1,1,0,0,0,1.414,1.414l2.9-2.9a2.79,2.79,0,0,1,3.941,0l.893.893a2.786,2.786,0,0,1,0,3.942l-5.8,5.8a2.769,2.769,0,0,1-1.971.817h0a2.766,2.766,0,0,1-1.969-.816,1,1,0,1,0-1.415,1.412,4.751,4.751,0,0,0,3.384,1.4h0a4.752,4.752,0,0,0,3.385-1.4l5.8-5.8a4.786,4.786,0,0,0,0-6.771Z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a>Cohort 5<\/h3>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\"><strong>Mashbean<\/strong> (X: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mashbean\">@mashbean<\/a>) is researching robust digital identity in Taiwan, exploring how civic services and critical public infrastructure could benefit from the same resilient and trustless properties that protocols like Ethereum offer the world.<\/p>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\"><strong>Sharfy Adamantine<\/strong> (X: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/sharfyae\">@sharfyae<\/a>) enables environmental stewardship by connecting climate finance directly to local conservation efforts and data at <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/gainforest.earth\/\">Gainforest<\/a>. By improving compatibility and functionality of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hypercerts.org\/\">Hypercerts<\/a> standard, ecosystem protection can become more economically viable for organizations and conservation communities of all shapes, sizes, and contexts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\"><strong>Teodor Petricevic<\/strong> (X: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/XtXeXo\">@XtXeXo<\/a>) leads blockchain initiatives at the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.undp.org\/\">UN Development Programme<\/a>. He will map Ethereum-based projects within the UN ecosystem and develop an impact management framework that enables global development organisations &#8211; such as UN agencies &#8211; to effectively design impact models, measure and analyse outcomes and impacts, and harness the unique properties of blockchain technology to advance global development initiatives.<\/p>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\"><strong>Robert Cowlishaw<\/strong> (LinkedIn: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/robert-cowlishaw\/\"> robert-cowlishaw<\/a>) is an aerospace engineer pioneering research at the intersection of zero-knowledge proofs, trusted execution, and satellite imagery. He is developing a prototype app that automatically and verifiably triggers emergency response systems after natural disasters. His work includes collaboration with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.esa.int\/\">European Space Agency<\/a> to activate satellites for monitoring affected areas across political and systemic boundaries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\">As we look ahead to the next cohort of Fellows, we&#8217;re reminded of the profound importance of narrative in shaping Ethereum&#8217;s future. The stories shared by our alumni illustrate how blockchain technology can transcend its technical foundations to become a tool for social change, economic empowerment, and ecological regeneration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\">These Fellows exemplify what makes the Next Billion Fellowship unique: the focus is not on technology for technology&#8217;s sake, but on the human experience of technology. Each project showcases how Ethereum can address real-world challenges\u2014from polluted oceans to communities seeking economic autonomy, from farmers to international development professionals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"chakra-text css-gi02ar\">If you are working on a project that showcases stories of tangible and human use-cases for the Ethereum protocol (and the application layer built on it), consider applying for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"chakra-link css-vezwxf\" href=\"https:\/\/nxbn-fellowship.paperform.co\/\">Next Billion Fellowship<\/a>. Fellows receive support over 6 months for a small project that represents a unique perspective on Ethereum&#8217;s next billion users and their experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ethereum.org\/en\/2025\/06\/16\/world-experience\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is an update from the Next Billion Fellowship Program. Applications are rolling and open for cohort 6 beginning in October 2025. Individuals interacting with an application have a user experience. Collectives interacting with a protocol have a world experience. There are many worlds that the Ethereum protocol touches; places where organizations, communities, or institutions [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":17481,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"kronos_expire_date":[],"class_list":["post-17480","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ethereum"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cryptoted.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17480","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cryptoted.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cryptoted.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cryptoted.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cryptoted.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17480"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cryptoted.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17480\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cryptoted.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17481"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cryptoted.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17480"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cryptoted.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17480"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cryptoted.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17480"},{"taxonomy":"kronos_expire_date","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cryptoted.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kronos_expire_date?post=17480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}