The project verification system aims to uphold integrity and Giveth’s reputation while also remaining agile to meet the needs of the larger system.
We recently had a call with stakeholders and verification team members to discuss how we can address some friction points and incorporate knowledge that we have gained during our years of verifying projects. The intention of this forum post is to solidify what was discussed as well as provide transparency to the community.
What we talked about:
Terminology 
We tried ‘vouched’ but it didn’t have the stuff. ‘Verified’ offers a clearer definition and provides a stronger sense of trust. After going back and forth on this, I think we have finally settled.
Moving forward, the badges/labels for projects will be as follows:
‘Verified’ - users know that this is a legitimate, trustworthy project. These projects have either been vouched for on DeVouch by giveth verifiers or approved by the verification team during the GIVbacks application process. Any project with this badge can be boosted with GIVpower.
‘GIVbacks Eligible’ - a ‘Verified’ project that has been reviewed by the verification team and is providing a public good. Any user who donates at least 5$ to a project with this badge knows that they will be entered into the GIVbacks Raffle.
The work is currently being done to change the terminology in our documentation as well as on the DApp.
Rewarding Donors 
The current system does not allow for projects in the GIVbacks program to offer rewards to their donors. This practice gives an unfair advantage to these projects over others. However, we realize that some projects want to thank their donors. In the past, projects that were offering things like POAPs or NFT badges to those who contribute have been turned away from the GIVbacks program. After some discussion on this topic, we decided that as long as the reward is not predicted to have a monetary value at any point, it is allowed.
Giveth Contributors Creating and Managing Projects 
There is a need for Giveth to be able to bring on strategic and impactful projects to the platform in a timely manner. Expecting project owners to create projects and take all of the necessary steps to become verified or GIVbacks eligible in a time of crisis is unreasonable.
Some of the most successful projects on the platform are ones that have been created and managed by Giveth contributors. Giveth should have a path to be able to double down on this strategy. Not only does it provide funding portals for important projects, but it also provides an opportunity for Giveth to bring donations from audiences outside of our current circles.
We found that there are two types of projects that have been created by Givethers:
- The team member is managing the funds on behalf of the project. In this case, the contributor has custody of the funds.
- The contributor created the project and has used publicly posted addresses as the recipient address for the Giveth project.
Main Concerns & Solutions
Concern: Contributors may not be in the know with changes happening within the project, managing multiple projects would make this more difficult
Solution: Strict quarterly updates will be required for these projects. If updates are not provided, then the project will lose associated badges.
Concern: Many jurisdictions consider fundraising without explicit authorization as a fraudulent solicitation, even if the intent is good.
Solution: Any projects created by contributors that are managing the funds on behalf of the project must have received a public acknowledgment of the project from the organization itself via social media etc. For projects that are directing funds to publicly posted addresses, there should be a disclaimer added to the project description that includes a link to where donors can verify the publicly posted addresses.
After contemplating risks and safeguards, we have come to the agreement that this is a use case that is important to consider and we have created a guide for contributors who will take on this role.
Conclusion 
By refining our verification process, we’re keeping Giveth transparent, fair, and adaptable. Clearer terminology and a structured approach for contributors managing projects help strengthen the system. These adjustments ensure we can better support impactful projects while maintaining trust. We look forward to ongoing community input as we continue to improve.
Topics to continue discussing
Project management as a service - Giveth contributors manage projects and Giveth gets a percentage of the donations that the project receives?