The NEAR Protocol is an open-source infrastructure designed to empower community-driven innovation by providing a robust platform for developers to create server-less applications and smart contracts with enhanced usability and scalability. Positioned at the intersection of decentralization and affordability, NEAR strives to replicate the user-centric qualities of modern PaaS like Firebase, but at a fraction of the operational costs commonly seen in blockchain alternatives like Ethereum. The platform supports a comprehensive suite of developer tools, including JavaScript and Rust SDKs, to facilitate effortless application building. With a focus on the “Open Web” movement, NEAR offers extensive documentation, client libraries, and interactive examples to support developers in crafting applications that return data control and asset management to users. NEAR’s seamless integration into active networks (mainnet, testnet, betanet) and its vibrant community channels on Zulip and Discourse encourage widespread collaboration and adoption.