Empowering Conditional Donations on the Blockchain: Insights from the DIVA Donate Pilot
In June 2023, the DIVA Donate pilot campaign came to an end with no payouts being triggered through the platform. DIVA Donate operates as a blockchain-based platform that enables conditional donations using the DIVA Protocol. This pioneering initiative was a collaborative effort between DIVA Protocol, Fortune Connect, and Shamba Network, aiming to revolutionize the way donations are made and distributed.
A key component of the DIVA Donate project was the utilization of Shamba’s ecological oracle within the blockchain layer. Shamba Network’s ecological data oracle reports ecological state on-chain for use by smart contracts such as web3 protocols. By leveraging Shamba’s oracle technology, the Diva Donate pilot provided vital drought risk cover to approximately 150 herders in Kenya. The smart contract securely held the allocated funds, and if a drought occurred, the funds would have been automatically released to assist the affected herders.
During a discussion on Celo Kenya’s Twitter Spaces, Kennedy Ng’ang’a, the Founder and CEO of Shamba Network, shed light on the operational mechanism of their ecological data oracle. Ng’ang’a explained that our oracle relied on satellite data to monitor vegetation levels in a given area. The oracle reported to Diva Protocol the amount of vegetation available at the end of the pilot, and if a specified threshold was crossed that would trigger the release of funds. However, in the case of the DIVA Donate pilot campaign, the predetermined threshold was not met, resulting in the funds not being disbursed.
Ng’ang’a emphasized the potential of such smart contracts powered by oracles, highlighting the versatility they offer in responding to various environmental conditions. He envisioned a future where smart contracts could be designed to address a range of ecological scenarios, such as wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters. By integrating oracle technology and bringing environmental data onto the blockchain, on-chain applications could be developed to deliver timely assistance to those affected by different ecological conditions. “So this is the real strength of an oracle, it allows all of this data to get on-chain and to be able to drive on-chain applications.” Ng’ang’a said.
The experience gained from the DIVA Donate pilot campaign provides valuable insights into the potential of blockchain, smart contracts, and oracles in facilitating conditional donations and driving on-chain applications to address critical societal needs. The lessons learned will inform future developments and advancements in the field, opening up new possibilities for leveraging technology for social impact and positive change.
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