Protofire - Smart Contracts Unleashed: Mastering Cardano Development

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Francisco Ciordia Cantarella

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

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

4

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

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

A comprehensive course on developing smart contracts using Cardano Developer Studio, with a focus on Plutus and Lucid, enabling full-stack developers to integrate blockchain into their solutions.

[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.”

The course development will depend on the continued availability and updates of Cardano Developer Studio tools, Plutus Platform, and Lucid Framework. The project will also require support from Cardano Developer Studio’s documentation and technical guides.

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

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

All course content will be released under the MIT license, making it available for the community to use, modify, and distribute freely.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The proposed course will teach smart contract development using the Cardano Developer Studio. This course will be structured to include practical examples, covering both on-chain and off-chain smart contract development using Plutus and Lucid Framework.

The key aspects of the solution include:

• Access to a running Cardano node, wallet manager and Smart DB Tools.
• A series of hands-on tutorials using Plutus for on-chain smart contracts.
• Off-chain contract development with Lucid Framework to demonstrate integration with dApps.
• Testing and debugging examples to give developers practical skills.

The goal is to enable developers, particularly those unfamiliar with blockchain, to comfortably develop smart contracts using a traditional development environment integrated with Cardano Developer Studio.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

By providing a structured learning environment for smart contract development, this course will:

• Lower the barrier to entry for developers wanting to build on Cardano.
• Empower more full-stack developers to integrate Cardano into their applications.
• Drive innovation in dApp development on Cardano by making smart contract development accessible.
• Increase activity on the Cardano blockchain, contributing to network growth and adoption.

The Lucid Framework integration will also attract more developers who are familiar with JavaScript-based frameworks.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

I have the capability to deliver this project due to my background as a computer engineer, with experience in software development and a strong interest in the Cardano ecosystem. I have a deep understanding of the tools available on the network, and I recognize the high level of complexity involved in developing smart contracts. This experience allows me to build comprehensive course materials that address these challenges while making the process more accessible for learners.

To validate the feasibility of my approach, I will rely on well-established platforms like Cardano Developer Studio and Lucid Framework, both of which offer proven environments for Plutus smart contract development. The course design will also be based on practical examples and tests, ensuring that learners can engage hands-on and see real-world applications of the concepts taught. Feedback and completion rates from students, alongside metrics like Plutus usage in off-chain and on-chain environments, will further confirm the course’s effectiveness.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Planning and Course Design

• Milestone outputs:
• Comprehensive course outline, including structure for all modules, learning objectives, and practical exercises.
• Acceptance criteria:
• Detailed course plan completed with clear learning paths, and mapped to the tools (Cardano Developer Studio, Plutus, Lucid).
• Evidence of milestone completion:
• Delivery of the course outline document, including module structures, learning outcomes, and integration plan with platform tools.

Development of Module 1

• Milestone outputs:
• Complete Module 1 with tutorials and exercises on smart contract basics using Plutus and Cardano Developer Studio.
• Acceptance criteria:
• Fully functional Module 1 with working examples of smart contracts, accessible via Cardano Developer Studio.
• Evidence of milestone completion:
• Module available on the learning platform with accessible tutorials, verified student feedback from initial tests.

Development of Module 2

• Milestone outputs:
• Module 2 focusing on off-chain contract integration using Lucid Framework.
• Acceptance criteria:
• Complete set of tutorials and integration examples for off-chain development, demonstrated using the wallet manager.
• Evidence of milestone completion:
• Public release of Module 2 on the platform, with documentation and user feedback from early adopters.

Development of Module 3

• Milestone outputs:
• Advanced tutorials on testing and debugging smart contracts, with Plutus and Lucid integration.
• Acceptance criteria:
• Full testing and debugging environment setup with case studies and practical exercises.
• Evidence of milestone completion:
• Completed and published Module 3 with examples tested on Cardano’s testnet, verified by community members.
• 
  

Development of Module 4

• Milestone outputs:
• Module 4 covering complex dApp development, integrating smart contracts with live examples.
• Acceptance criteria:
• Complete series of examples showing how to deploy and interact with dApps using smart contracts on Cardano.
• Evidence of milestone completion:
• Live deployment of dApps for testing, available documentation, and successful verification of module functionality.
• 
  

Final Review and Wrap-Up

• Milestone outputs:
• Review and refinement of all modules, ensuring that all content is up-to-date, functional, and aligned with the learning objectives.
• Acceptance criteria:
• Complete course review, with all modules fully integrated and operational on the platform.
• Evidence of milestone completion:
• Final report submission, full course publicly accessible, and feedback collected from the first batch of students.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Project Lead: Francisco Ciordia Cantarella, responsible for course creation and content delivery.

Technical Advisor: Manuel Padilla, expert in Cardano Developer Studio and smart contract development.

Content Reviewers: A team of 2 individuals to review and test the course content for clarity and accuracy.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Personnel Costs:

• Planning and course design: 13,000 ADA
• Development of Module 1: 10,000 ADA
• Development of Module 2: 10,000 ADA
• Development of Module 3: 10,000 ADA
• Development of Module 4: 10,000 ADA

Technical Costs:

• Tools and platform infrastructure: 6,000 ADA

Marketing and Engagement:

• Promotion and outreach to the community: 5,000 ADA

Contingency:

• Allocation for unexpected expenses: 6,000 ADA

Total Budget: 70,000 ADA

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

The cost of this project represents excellent value for the Cardano ecosystem by empowering developers to efficiently create smart contracts using Cardano Developer Studio, Lucid Framework, and related tools. By providing access to critical resources such as nodes, wallet management systems, and Smart DB tools, this course enables developers to build, test, and deploy decentralized applications more effectively. 

This initiative reduces the learning curve for new developers, accelerates adoption of Plutus, and fosters the creation of high-quality, secure applications that enrich the Cardano ecosystem. The return on investment will be seen through increased developer activity and innovative projects built on Cardano.