Further pillars
This page describes where the foundation wants to go beyond software and how it makes sure not to set out too early. Today we work only in Pillar I: Suveria is at the design stage, and Omniforum has a prototype under construction. Pillars II and III are a vision, not work in progress.
The three pillars at a glance#
- Pillar I “Software”: we start here. Software and digital services, that is, Suveria, a private space for working with digital intelligence, and Omniforum, a shared space for conversation, understanding and decisions.
- Pillar II “Hardware”: vision. Open designs for durable, repairable objects.
- Pillar III “Nature”: vision. Closer contact with nature.
All three grow out of the same care for dignity. Alongside them, the manifesto mentions open production designs and sharing resources, and the founder writes of wanting to find out how many needs we could meet by managing what we already have more wisely; a surplus need not be waste, because it provides a reserve for failures, crises and rest.
More: manifesto, section 6.3, chapter 9 and section 1.1.
What the statute already says#
The statute, that is, the foundation's law, lists five objectives in § 5. Two of them reach beyond software:
- increasing the availability of objects that facilitate everyday functioning and improve quality of life, by designing and making available open 3D models for self-printing;
- protection of mental and physical health by promoting digital detox and active recreation in the natural environment.
These are the statutory beginnings of Pillars II and III.
The planned statute change Z1 is to extend the objectives. An earlier, repealed version of the statute listed, among other things, closed-loop engineering, sustainable agriculture and food self-sufficiency, and stewardship of spaces; we want to return to this text when it is needed for the next step. Until then, activities beyond the current objectives are not possible.
More: statute, § 5 and statute change register, Z1.
Why not now#
We are beginning development with Pillar I, and we will direct the first funds from the shared budget and spare computing resources to its basic commitments. Fully launching Pillars II and III and funding their projects from the shared budget requires three conditions together. For each one, we state when we will consider it met.
- A working vote. Omniforum with a binding vote, that is, one whose result the foundation carries out (consultations are not enough). We want to base it on zero-knowledge proofs: a way of confirming the right to vote without revealing who voted how. The choice is to remain secret, it is to be possible to check that a vote has been counted, and every eligible person is to have one effective vote. Met after at least one binding vote in which a public test with a reward failed to cast a second vote using the same entitlement or to link a vote to a person.
- Reserve. Funds actually collected for at least six months of maintaining Suveria and Omniforum, untouched after the full budget of the new project has been set aside. Met when six times the average monthly cost of maintenance over the last three months is held in a separate account, and we show this amount in the register every month.
- Community decision. A vote open to the whole eligible community on equal terms. Met when the community votes in favor of a specific proposal with a budget, its impact on the reserve and a criterion for stopping it.
The reserve is not made up of unpaid pledges, balances owed to users or earmarked money, and a mock-up of voting does not meet the first condition. If voting stops working or the reserve falls below six months, we suspend new commitments for the further pillars and first restore the conditions.
More: manifesto, section 6.3 and Foundation Principles whitepaper, section 8.1.
What can start earlier#
We want to gain experience through small, time-limited initiatives. Before we meet the three conditions, they have two limited paths, and every trial has a public goal, a full budget, a responsible person, an end date and an account of its results.
The transitional board pool. This is a temporary authorization for the board to fund short initiatives of the further pillars until a binding vote is working. Each month the pool can grow by at most 5% of new, free funds, that is, contributions without a specified purpose that remain after covering costs, commitments and the Pillar I safeguard. The unused part can carry over to the following months as long as that money remains free, and never at the expense of Pillar I. The authorization expires as soon as a binding vote is launched, and we publish every decision, including a refusal, with a justification.
Earmarked initiative. Donors and sponsors can fund a separate budget for a small initiative consistent with the foundation's goals. It can start when its full cost is already covered by money paid in, it has people secured to carry it out, and the Pillar I safeguard remains untouched. For material and field activities we also count servicing, storage, insurance and liability for participants.
As of 31 October 2026, the only payment is the founding fund, so no such initiative has started yet. The full rules of both paths are described on The foundation's money page.
More: Foundation Principles whitepaper, section 8.2 and section 8.3, and manifesto, section 6.3.
What we hold to#
- Every stage should bring benefits in itself, even if the further vision needs to change. A private space to work in, a tool that makes a dispute easier to understand or a well-described lesson from a failed trial have value regardless of what comes next.
- Pillar I has priority. We will not change the principle “we do not launch the further pillars without the three conditions” without changing the manifesto.
- The community decides the order. Once the foundations are secure, the community will set the order of further work by vote; ongoing development of the further pillars requires its decision.
- We look beyond ourselves. When assessing our actions, we take into account people outside our community, future generations and the environment.
More: manifesto, chapter 9 and section 6.3.
Read and tell us what you think#
You will find more in the manifesto, chapter 9 and section 6.3, in the Foundation Principles whitepaper, chapter 8 and in the statute, § 5. If something puzzles you or seems wrong, highlight that passage in the document and use the “I have a comment” button, or write to salve@novusignis.org.