[BIP-860] Ecosystem ONsite Proposal Q4 2025

PR with Payload

Time to pack your bags, another ONsite is coming…

At Balancer, we work well online, but there’s a different kind of value when we’re together. ONsites are about speeding things up, building trust, and creating space for conversations that don’t always fit in calls or chats. As a DAO, we recognize that cross-pollination is part of how we grow: bringing contributors, service providers, and partners together helps new ideas spread across teams and roles.


Caption: A glimpse of our last ONsite…


TL;DR

  • Balancer OpCo Limited will take 20 contributors from the Balancer ecosystem on a retreat from October 20th to 24th, 2025 in Madrid, Spain
  • Proposal covers flights, hotel, meals, group activities, swag, and meeting room rentals
  • Total budget request: $59,500 USDC

Summary

Twice a year, contributors from Balancer DAO and Balancer Labs meet in person. These gatherings are useful, energizing, and lead to real progress. Conversations move quicker, ideas flow, and the team leaves more aligned.

This next one is planned for Madrid, in Spain. The goal is to give people space to work side by side, share what they’ve been building, and strengthen relationships. We’ll balance time for coworking, updates, and group activities.

The hotel will be in a convenient and comfortable location. We’ll have a private workspace throughout the whole event, including coffee breaks. That space will be used to:

  • Work on roadmap and current priorities
  • Run team meetings
  • Host presentations and small group work sessions

Previous learnings

Based on contributor feedback, and to assure more contributors, service providers, and partners can attend this edition, we focused on ease of access and making travel easier.
Europe is a central hub: quicker for those already on the continent and more manageable for travelers from the Americas.

Even though costs in Brazil were lower, we expect prices in Europe to be higher. Balancer OpCo as executioner of this proposal, will stay budget-aware as always, choosing hotels, flights, food, and coworking spaces that offer the best return.

Mind that we’re not using travel agents. Contributors can book flights themselves or through Balancer OpCo. This keeps things simple and flexible.


Budget Overview

This proposal supports 20 contributors from Balancer DAO joining Balancer Labs. Shared costs will be split pro rate, and BLabs will pay for their own expenses as in previous events.

Balancer OpCo will aim for cost efficiency while still making the trip worthwhile for those coming a long way. We’re requesting 51,348 EUR, which breaks down to about 2,567.4/pax. These numbers may shift slightly, but we’ll keep looking for ways to make it work without overspending.

For more context, refer to the previous ONsite proposal.

Budget Breakdown

Category Cost (EUR)
Travel and transportation €18,400
Accommodation €13,380
F&B and activities (incl. meeting room) €15,740
Buffer (see below) €3,828
Total €51,348

Converted Budget Summary

  • Converted to USDC (approx): 59,500 USDC (~$2,975 per person)
  • Savings from previous edition: 10,470 USDC
  • Proposed DAO request: 49,030 USDC

Note: we are adding a buffer for unexpected forex variations, unforeseen emergencies and insurance (when needed).


Objectives

  • Celebrate Success & Motivate: Recognize achievements and inspire continued commitment to our shared goals, specially with the launch of ReCLAMMs and other products in the pipeline
  • Make real progress on protocol development through uninterrupted work and focused conversations
  • Give contributors time together to connect outside the usual calls and chats
  • Mark what’s been done so far and bring fresh energy for what’s next
  • Enhance Collaboration: Facilitate cross-functional interaction and knowledge sharing to spark innovation and drive productivity.

Also a feedback form was circulated after the last ONsite. A few quotes:

“It was great to see how everyone gets along and it was super nice to have partners join.”

“It was great to see the longer term strategies presented and have input from various SPs and partners.”

Expected Outcomes

  • People who’ve met in person will work together more easily and openly
  • Fewer misunderstandings and more clarity when collaborating
  • A stronger sense of connection that helps keep contributors engaged and motivated
  • Improved Team Cohesion & Morale: Stronger relationships and a greater sense of belonging.
  • Enhanced Collaboration & Productivity: Increased cross-functional communication and knowledge sharing, leading to innovative solutions and improved workflows.
  • Increased Motivation & Retention: A sense of appreciation and investment in contributor growth, leading to higher motivation and loyalty.

Focus. Ship. Repeat.


Specification

The multisig 0x10A19e7eE7d7F8a52822f6817de8ea18204F2e4f will interact with USDC at 0xA0b86991c6218b36c1d19D4a2e9Eb0cE3606eB48 by writing transfer, passing 0x3B8910F378034FD6E103Df958863e5c684072693 as recipient and the amount 49030 as 49030000000.

6 Likes

Thanks for the proposal, @danimim!

ONsites are a chance to connect with the whole ecosystem (partners, SPs, teammates) and have the kinds of conversations that just don’t happen online. We get to see problems from new angles, come up with fresh ideas, and actually make stuff happen.

Honestly, if we’re shipping new products almost every month and had a smooth V3 release, a big part of that is thanks to what gets unlocked during these ONsite moments.

At the last one in Brazil, we sketched out issues with reCLAMM math on a napkin over breakfast, and right after we found out, talking to partners, how valuable reCLAMMs were for DAOs, which shifted our marketing strategy. That moments probably wouldn’t have happened on a call. Only these two moments, by themselves, probably paid the whole ONsite, by far.

5 Likes

This has my full support.

Working remotely has a ton of benefits, but it can also create silos and slow down communication over time. OnSites break that pattern. They recharge the team, strengthen relationships, and help unlock collaboration in a way that’s hard to replicate online.

It’s clear how much energy people bring back from these moments together.
Fully behind it.

5 Likes

Thank you for putting this together and kickstart planning. The traditional Balancer Ecosystem “ONsites” are undoubtedly one of the most appreciated DAO perks across the many service providers, and a much needed coordination tool. The feedback from community members is overwhelmingly positive towards this events, but another edition in Europe for ease of access was a recurring request (considering past editions in Floripa and Bangkok).

From what we have planned with KPK in the past regarding runway, we estimated each edition to cost roughly around $65k. Meaning: this budget is still very conservative, and appreciate the efforts to keep expenses low until Balancer can reach its goals of DAO profitability.

While involved in the execution of this proposal, it is my intention to look for further savings, and at the same time granting a great experience from our contributors traveling from all over the world to this meetings.

3 Likes

Edit Maxis:

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https://snapshot.box/#/s:balancer.eth/proposal/0x59d9e3864ef24ee5db929c7108cf7ed4e5bfdd7d59a9d8dd7405f515f46df4e8