The Decentralized Open Source Program Office d(OSPO) paper introduces a governance framework designed to sustain critical open source infrastructure within decentralized Web3 ecosystems. Drawing on lessons from ecosystems such as Ethereum, Polkadot, and Cardano, the paper argues that mature decentralized networks require a coordination layer that separates community policy from operational execution while preserving neutrality and replaceability. Rather than centralizing authority, the dOSPO model provides a bounded, community-mandated mechanism for coordinating security response, funding infrastructure maintenance, and aligning cross-project development across independent actors. The framework proposes a new governance primitive for Web3 ecosystems as they evolve from experimental networks into production infrastructure supporting global digital economies.
The Open Maintenance Framework (OMF) introduces a portable operational architecture for sustaining open source infrastructure in decentralized ecosystems. While many initiatives have focused on funding maintainers, OMF addresses the missing operational layer that translates governance mandates and treasury resources into structured programs that support the people maintaining critical infrastructure. Designed to be governance-agnostic and blockchain-agnostic, the framework defines mechanisms such as maintainer retainers, contributor pathways, lifecycle-aligned funding, and portfolio stewardship to ensure long-term sustainability of open source systems. By synthesizing lessons from initiatives such as the Sovereign Tech Agency, Ethereum’s Protocol Guild, and other ecosystem programs, OMF provides a practical blueprint that any Web3 ecosystem can adopt to coordinate and sustain the infrastructure it depends on.
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