Advancing Plutus PBL and Cultivating African Youth Skills through Wada Hubs

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Wada Global Network

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

hello@wadalliance.org

Additional applicants

Gimbalabs Plutus PBL

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

This project if funded will be implemented through a collaboration of two independent entities. This poses inherent dependencies. Gimbalabs and Wada has however had an informal collaboration for over 2 years; there is a strong intent for this project to further strengthen and formalize our partnership.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

Project will be fully open source. The intent of all teams involved in this project are working with the mindset of Open source. However, In some cases for business, legal or privacy reasons some information will not be available.

[METADATA] Category of proposal

Dev Team

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG goals:

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

SDG subgoals:

By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations

By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy

Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

Key Performance Indicator (KPI):

Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill

Parity indices (female/male, rural/urban, bottom/top wealth quintile and others such as disability status, indigenous peoples and conflict-affected, as data become available) for all education indicators on this list that can be disaggregated

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

I. Project Overview. Introducing Wada

• Plutus PBL Expansion and Localization for African Youth

II. Problem Statement

• Untapped youth potential in African markets due to fragmented markets and information opacity

III. Our Unique Approach

• Harness the potential of Plutus PBL and Wada hubs to equip African youth with web3 development skills
• Leverage Wada's established community network, infrastructure, and partnerships

IV. Target

• African youth: High school and university graduates, IT developers transitioning to web3
• Wada community hubs members

V. Impact

• Track participation and successful completion of Plutus PBL across Wada hubs
• Monitor the development of local market influencers and the evolution of retail access in African markets
• Evaluate the reduction of investment risks due to increased transparency

VI. Importance to Cardano

• Harnessing the potential of Cardano's Plutus platform to train a new generation of developers
• Creating more use cases and user bases for Cardano within African markets
• Contribute to Cardano's vision for a more equitable, accessible, and decentralized future

VII. Unique Aspects

• Integrates Plutus PBL with Wada's decentralizing community hubs
• Focus on localizing content to fit the African context
• Aims to cultivate local market influencers to drive economic growth

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

I. Proposed Solution and Impact on Cardano

• Revamping Plutus PBL to address African market challenges
• The adapted Plutus PBL will encourage innovation within the Cardano ecosystem

II. Potential Benefits to the Cardano Ecosystem

• Creates a skilled pool of web3 developers, facilitating the development of new dApps
• Reinforces Cardano's strategic goal of expanding its open-source projects
• Fosters a vibrant developer community driven by incentives
• Enhances retail access and investment opportunities through blockchain technology

III. Engagement and Interaction with the Developer Community

• Training through Wada community hubs, ensuring a hands-on, community-centric approach
• Engagement through "train-the-trainer" mentorship programs

IV. Success Metrics

• Number of dApps developed by the newly trained developers
• Growth in the number of open-source projects within the Cardano ecosystem
• Increase in retail access and investment opportunities in the African market
• Increase in the number of trained web3 developers

V. Uniqueness of the Solution

• The merging of Plutus PBL with Wada community hubs is a unique approach, integrating learning with practical, market-focused solutions
• This proposal has the potential to influence the African market and the global Cardano ecosystem

1. Plutus PBL

Wada is a Cardano-based community network of 35+ professionals focused on connecting the world to Africa using blockchain and AI. 30+ funded and completed proposals with strong partnerships within the Catalyst ecosystem. A trusted source for both Africa-based projects and wider ecosystem contributions.

Gimbalabs creates scaffolding for a robust and resilient global network of leaders, devOps pioneers, builders, and educators because we know that in the hands of many, Cardano will help to solve real problems.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

A. Growth in Developer Community

• Monitor increase in trained web3 developers within Cardano ecosystem from Wada hubs.

B. Rise in dApp Development

• Track dApps created by target developers through the Plutus PBL program.

C. Open Source Projects Expansion

• Ascertain growth in open-source projects due to developers' input.

D. Retail Access & Investment Opportunities Improvement

• Observe market enhancements indicating the project's impact.

II. Cardano Ecosystem Benefits

A. Developer Community Expansion

• Enrich human resource capacity with a larger developer community.

B. Boost in dApp Development

• Add depth to Cardano's app ecosystem with more decentralized applications.

C. Open Source Projects Increase

• Grow the development landscape for Cardano with more open-source projects.

III. Impact on Cardano’s Growth

A. Short-term

• Increase in developer resources and new dApps, spurring activity in Cardano ecosystem.

B. Long-term

• Sustained growth with diverse developer community contributing to numerous projects.
• Expansion of retail access and investment opportunities in Africa, opening avenues for larger-scale collaborations and partnerships.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

Project Outputs and Results

A. Community

• Regular project updates to Cardano and Wada communities through project dissemination channels

B. Showcase

• Highlight developed dApps and open-source projects.

C. Collaborative Platforms

• Share codebases and project outcomes on open-source platforms like GitHub.

Distribution

A. Phase-wise Distribution

• Gradual release of project outputs following each significant development milestone.

B. Post-completion Sharing

• Comprehensive dissemination of all outcomes and impacts after project completion.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities

A. Target Audience

• Sharing with Cardano community, Wada hubs, project participants, and potential investors or partners.

B. Method

• Use of project reporting channels, blogs, press releases, and presentations.

Utilizing Project Results for Future R&D

A. Insights Extraction

• Review project outcomes to identify successes, challenges, and areas for improvement.

B. Follow-up Projects

• Using insights to develop new projects aimed at further enhancing the Cardano ecosystem and the Wada network.

C. Partnership Opportunities

Use project success to attract partnerships for future research and development

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Wada is a Cardano-based community network of 35+ professionals focused on connecting the world to Africa using blockchain and AI. 30+ funded and completed proposals with strong partnerships within the Catalyst ecosystem. A trusted source for both Africa-based projects and wider ecosystem contributions.

Gimbalabs creates scaffolding for a robust and resilient global network of leaders, devOps pioneers, builders, and educators because we know that in the hands of many, Cardano will help to solve real problems.

Relying on our past experience and successful project completions, our joint team is ready to take on this proposal with responsibility and reliability. We plan to manage funds with the help of a trusted treasury management operator within the Cardano ecosystem.

We'll use Catalyst's milestone-based method for fund allocation. This way, funds are released as we achieve specific outcomes and deliverables. Our team has a knack for working well with communities and organizations. We've done everything from Wada hubs to community facilitation, so we know how to connect with key participants and early adopters who are crucial to this proposal.

Our team includes effective project leads who have finished multiple proposals in Catalyst, provided useful insights for Challenge Teams, and gained experiences from various organizations outside of Cardano. Each team member brings their own set of skills to the table

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

I. Main Project Goals

A. Tailor Plutus PBL

• Enhance and localize Plutus PBL for Wada hubs to accommodate distinct needs and languages.

B. Scale Plutus PBL Implementation

• Expand Plutus PBL in Wada hubs and beyond, targeting recent graduates and young IT developers.

C. Transform Recent High-School and University Graduates into Cardano Developers

• Facilitate the transition of traditional IT developers and recent graduates into competent web3 developers.

II. Validation of Project Approach

A. Pilot Implementation

• Conduct initial Plutus PBL training in selected Wada hubs to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the approach.

B. Feedback Gathering

• Seek feedback from trainees and mentors about the program's usefulness and impact.

C. Evaluation of Outcome

• Assess the number of developers proficient in web3 and Plutus PBL post-training and their contribution to Cardano-based projects.

D. Project's Impact Assessment

• Evaluate the growth of open-source projects on Cardano and the acceleration of dApp development as a result of the project.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

I. Project Milestones, Activities, Timeline, and Costs

A. Milestone 1: Adapt Plutus PBL (Month 1-3)

Key Activities:

• Identify specific localization needs for Wada hubs
• Develop an upgrade plan for Plutus PBL
• Implement changes and translations to Plutus PBL

Success Criteria:

• Creation of a localized Plutus PBL that meets the distinct needs of Wada hubs

Projected Cost:

• 100,000 ADA

B. Milestone 2: Pilot Implementation (Month 4-6)

Key Activities:

• Train initial set of mentors in upgraded Plutus PBL
• Rollout of Plutus PBL in selected Wada hubs

Success Criteria:

• Successful completion of Plutus PBL training by mentors
• Initial feedback from mentors and trainees in pilot hubs

Projected Cost:

• 80,000 ADA

C. Milestone 3: Full-scale Implementation (Month 7-9)

Key Activities:

• Implement upgraded Plutus PBL across additional Wada hubs
• Monitor progress and collect feedback

Success Criteria:

• Successful Plutus PBL rollout in target Wada hubs
• Positive feedback and signs of impact from hubs

Projected Cost:

• 120,000 ADA

D. Milestone 4: Evaluation and Iteration (Month 10-12)

Key Activities:

• Conduct comprehensive evaluation of the project's impact
• Identify areas for improvement and implement changes as necessary

Success Criteria:

• Clear measurement of project's impact, including number of new web3 developers and contributions to Cardano projects
• Creation of a roadmap for continuous improvement of Plutus PBL

Projected Cost:

• 120,000 ADA

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

I. Milestones, Deliverables, and Intended Outcomes

A. Milestone 1: Adapt Plutus PBL

Deliverables:

• Detailed localization needs report for Wada hubs
• Revised version of Plutus PBL tailored to Wada hubs' needs

Intended Outcomes:

• Enhancements in Plutus PBL are aligned with the needs of Wada hubs
• Increase in accessibility and comprehension of Plutus PBL due to localization

Measurement of Progress:

• Completion of the needs report
• Release of the upgraded Plutus PBL

B. Milestone 2: Pilot Implementation

Deliverables:

• Trained mentors capable of facilitating Plutus PBL
• Pilot rollout report capturing feedback and improvement areas

Intended Outcomes:

• Increased skills and capabilities of mentors
• Identification of areas of improvement for the Plutus PBL program

Measurement of Progress:

• Completion of mentor training
• Completion and analysis of pilot rollout report

C. Milestone 3: Full-scale Implementation

Deliverables:

• Comprehensive rollout of Plutus PBL in selected Wada hubs
• Continuous monitoring reports capturing progress and feedback

Intended Outcomes:

• Widespread adoption of Plutus PBL across selected Wada hubs
• Continuous improvement and adaptation of the Plutus PBL program

Measurement of Progress:

• Completion of Plutus PBL rollout in all hubs
• Analysis of monitoring reports and feedback

D. Milestone 4: Evaluation and Iteration (Month 10-12)

Deliverables:

• Evaluation report outlining project impact and areas for improvement
• Roadmap for future improvements of Plutus PBL

Intended Outcomes:

• Identification of program's strengths and areas for further improvement
• Blueprint for continuous enhancement of Plutus PBL

Measurement of Progress:

• Completion of the comprehensive evaluation report
• Creation of the roadmap for future improvements

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

The rate used for this budget is 1ADA to .25USD. We will change to stablecoins as much as possible and depending on how prices fluctuate at time of project implementation we will be able to do more or scale down project goals

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Value for Money and Justification of Costs

The requested funding of 420,000 ADA for this project represents significant value for money for the Cardano ecosystem due to the following key factors:

1. Broad Impact: Our project is not limited to a single function; instead, it targets various facets of the Cardano ecosystem, such as educational capacity building, community engagement, and market expansion, particularly in the untapped African markets.
2. Leveraging Existing Resources: We are capitalizing on the proven success of the Plutus PBL program, which reduces the risk of project failure and ensures optimal use of funds.
3. Creating Long-Term Value: By fostering a new generation of web3 developers and market influencers in Africa, this project is contributing to the growth of the Cardano ecosystem in the long term.

The budget for each milestone was calculated based on extensive research into similar projects, consultations with local partners, and our own experience in project management and implementation. High-cost items, such as the full-scale implementation and upgrade of the Plutus PBL, are justified by their potential to create substantial and lasting impacts.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept