- 01
Gifts, not investments
A backing is a voluntary gift towards a goal. Nothing is sold, no ownership changes hands and no return is promised. Backers support a person; you keep control.
- 02
Why milestones still matter
Without contracts, Backers rely on transparency. Money is held per milestone and released only when you prove progress, so they can give with confidence.
- 03
What you owe Backers
Honesty: a true story, proof for each milestone and updates in chat. Not profits or repayment. If you cannot finish, unreleased money goes back to Backers.
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to release their share or ask for more. Money not released in time goes back to the Backer.
15% fee, deducted — never added
Backers pay exactly what they choose. The 15% fee comes out of each backing: €100 gives the Dreamer €85. The fee is kept if money is returned.
Gifts, not shares
Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.
Example milestone plan
An example plan for a community garden dream with a goal of €5,300. Backers fund the whole goal, but each milestone's money stays held until you post the proof and Backers release it.
Milestone 1
€1,060 · 20%
Agree the growing site
Post the site agreement, a marked bed layout and dated ground photos, with private contact details hidden.
Milestone 2
€1,855 · 35%
Prepare soil and beds
Share photos of completed beds, soil delivery receipts and a checklist showing paths and water access are ready.
Milestone 3
€1,590 · 30%
Plant and equip plots
Post planting photos, seed and tool receipts and a plot map showing which crops and shared supplies are in place.
Milestone 4
€795 · 15%
Start shared maintenance
Share the watering rota, a first maintenance log and dated photos showing how the planted beds are being cared for.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a community garden dream in Dublin, shown in EUR. Backers are charged the equivalent in US dollars.
Example goal
€5,300
- Soil and raised beds€2,120 · 40%
- Watering and shared tools€1,325 · 25%
- Seeds and young plants€1,060 · 20%
- Site setup and signage€795 · 15%
What you receive
- Backers give
- €5,300
- Platform fee (15%)
- −€795
- You receive
- €4,505
Risks to plan for
- R1
Unsuitable growing ground
Poor drainage or unsuitable soil can make planned beds unusable. Put a site assessment before construction and budget for raised beds or a smaller initial growing area.
- R2
Water access gaps
A nearby tap may not provide dependable access throughout the growing season. Confirm the watering arrangement early and include storage and hoses in the equipment budget.
- R3
Volunteer gaps
Planting days can draw more helpers than routine upkeep. Make a named watering rota part of the final milestone and keep the first planting area manageable for that team.
Questions and answers
Can we start without a permanent garden site?
You can frame the dream around a temporary growing space, but state its limits clearly. Make written site access and a layout the first proof, then choose movable beds and crops suited to the available season.
What should Backers see before planting begins?
Show the agreed site, prepared beds and a workable water supply before buying the full plant order. Receipts and dated preparation photos help Backers distinguish completed groundwork from a proposed planting day.
Do I have to pay Backers back?
No. Money released for completed milestones is yours. Money still held for unfinished milestones can go back to Backers under the Backing Policy, minus the platform fee.
Ready when you are
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