In East Africa, particularly Ethiopia, Cardano's adoption lags significantly behind more established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, presenting a pressing challenge. Factors such as regulatory hurdles, limited awareness

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Gashaw Birhan

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

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Co-Proposer: Abdi Terefe

Lead Person: Please confirm if you are the lead person authorized to act on behalf of Gashaw Birhan

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

3

[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)

To promote widespread education, enhance adoption, and encourage active participation within the East Africa region, we can leverage YouTube content as a powerful tool to engage our community

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

No

[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.”

No dependencies.

[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

The project will be completely open source.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The challenge we face is the low adoption and awareness of Cardano in East Africa, specifically Ethiopia. While blockchain and cryptocurrencies are widely used in countries like the UAE, Cardano has not achieved the same recognition as Ethereum and Bitcoin. Recently, I successfully added the Arabic language flag to the Cardano Forum.

Approach and Reasons:

To address this issue, I propose creating an active YouTube channel and promoting a dedicated Twitter page focused on Cardano news. The aim is to educate and encourage adoption within the region. Drawing on my expertise in video editing, voice acting, and my experience as a Cardano Ambassador, I will produce high-quality content and interviews that showcase Cardano's potential in Ethiopia.

Engagement:

This project will engage both English and Arabic speakers interested in blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. By offering informative content, engaging interviews, and localized news updates, I intend to attract and educate a diverse audience, from current cryptocurrency users to those curious about Cardano's opportunities.

Demonstrating Impact:

We will measure the project's impact through metrics like follower growth and viewership. I'll track the progress of the YouTube channel and Twitter/X page, monitor engagement metrics such as views and shares, and gather community feedback.

Uniqueness and Benefits:

What sets this solution apart is its targeted focus on Ethiopia for English and Arabic speakers. By delivering news and content in their preferred language, we ensure accessibility. The high production quality and expertise will create a unique and engaging viewer experience. Ultimately, this project will benefit both Ethiopia and the Cardano Foundation by raising awareness, fostering adoption, and expanding Cardano's global reach.

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

Cardano is actively engaging with East Africa, specifically Ethiopia, to promote its technology and explore partnerships. Initiatives like the Cardano Summits in Dubai in 2023 and 2024 exemplify this commitment to increasing awareness and adoption.

To evaluate the potential impact of this project, we can consider how it will attract new members to the community, strengthen the ecosystem, and address key challenges. Here are several key points:

1. Community Engagement: By producing videos in Arabic, the project will attract and engage Arabic-speaking individuals from Ethiopia, helping to expand the Cardano community and foster inclusivity.
2. Knowledge Dissemination: The project will educate Ethiopian communities about Cardano through videos, interviews, and online meetings. This will enhance understanding of the platform’s capabilities, use cases, and benefits, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about adopting Cardano.
3. Metrics Tracking: Monitoring metrics such as subscriber counts, total views, and watch time will provide insights into content reach and engagement. These metrics will be crucial for assessing the project’s success and guiding future content strategies.

Measuring Impact:

The project aims to contribute to Cardano's adoption and growth in Ethiopia by providing translated educational content and engaging the community. However, the actual impact will depend on content quality, effective promotion, and audience engagement.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

1. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): The project will track the total number of viewers on the YouTube channel. By comparing total views in January 2025 to other months, we can assess growth and impact over time.
2. Video Duration and Frequency: Videos will be 5-15 minutes long, catering to the audience's preference for concise content. The plan includes publishing around 2 hours of Arabic content each month, ensuring consistent updates and educational material.
3. Content Availability and Auditability: All published videos will be accessible on the YouTube channel. Each video will also have a transcription and translation available on the Cardano Forum website, ensuring transparency and allowing stakeholders to verify the content’s credibility and accuracy.

[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?

Official Cardano Ambassador:

My status as an official Cardano Ambassador reflects my commitment to the Cardano ecosystem. This role underscores my knowledge and dedication to promoting Cardano's goals and principles, particularly in managing funds responsibly using the Cardano Ambassador Program’s remuneration guidelines.

State-of-the-Art Equipment:

Access to state-of-the-art equipment, including advanced video editing tools and high-quality recording devices, will enhance our ability to produce professional and engaging content for the project.

Video Editing and Voice Acting Experience:

My experience in video editing and voice acting in both Arabic and English highlights my proficiency in creating and refining compelling video content. These skills are crucial for producing engaging visuals that effectively convey the project's message to our target audience.

Long-Term Involvement in the Cardano Ecosystem:

Having been involved in the Cardano ecosystem for over four years, I possess a deep understanding of its principles, developments, and community dynamics. This extensive experience equips me with valuable insights and a solid foundation for executing the project effectively.

Validation of Goals:

Quantitative Validation: We will monitor progress by tracking views on the YouTube channel and follower growth on Twitter/X. These metrics will provide insights into the reach and engagement of our content.

Qualitative Validation: User feedback and engagement will be evaluated to assess improvements in user experience. This will include analyzing comments, conducting surveys or polls, and soliciting direct feedback from users.

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

Milestone 1:

As mentioned, alongside my work as a Cardano Ambassador and with Intersect, I will produce 7 educational, news, and interview-style videos each month focused on cryptocurrencies, fintech, and the blockchain space in the MENA region. Additionally,

Milestone 2:

Continuing the momentum, I will again produce 7 educational, news, and interview-style videos each month related to the cryptocurrencies, fintech, and blockchain space in the MENA region. This will include transcribing, editing, voicing, and publishing high-quality content from the Cardano Foundation, IOG, and on YouTube and Twitter/X. Posts will be promoted on X as well.

I will create 7 high-quality dubbed videos (transcribed, edited, and published) featuring up-to-date content from the Cardano Foundation, IOG, which will be posted on YouTube and Twitter/X. These posts will also be promoted on X.

The links to all published videos will be shared in the PoA section of the Project Catalyst Milestone Module and included in the final closeout report, showcasing the progress in Twitter/X followers and YouTube views. The primary goal of the project is to produce a total of 40 published videos, with paid promotions on X for each of these posts.

I will create 7 high-quality dubbed videos (transcribed, edited, and published) featuring up-to-date content from the Cardano Foundation, IOG, which will be posted on YouTube and Twitter/X. These posts will also be promoted on X.

In the final phase, I will maintain the production of 7 educational, news, and interview-style videos each month, focused on the cryptocurrencies, fintech, and blockchain space in the MENA region. This will involve transcribing, editing, voicing, and publishing high-quality content from the Cardano Foundation, IOG, and on YouTube and Twitter/X. These posts will also receive promotion on X.

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

Myself.

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

Educational/News/Interview Videos:

We will publish 7 videos each month. The budget is based on the Ambassador Program from the Cardano Foundation, specifically under the Moderation/Content Creation category.

• Cost per Meeting/Interview Video: $50 worth of ADA
• Editing Cost: $50

Total Cost for 7 Videos Per Month:

7 videos × $100 worth of ADA = $700 worth of ADA.

Thus, the total cost for both categories over 3 months amounts to:

$700 worth of ADA per month × 3 months = $2,100 worth of ADA.

Promotion of Posts on Twitter/X:

We will promote posts on Twitter/X to enhance visibility and reach a wider audience. This includes:

• Identifying target audience demographics and interests through the algorithm.
• Crafting engaging ad copy and visuals for posts.
• Strategically targeting Twitter users likely to engage with the content.
• Providing a final milestone report on progress and results.

Monthly Fee: $1,500 worth of ADA

Campaign Duration: 3 months

Total Cost for 3 Months: $1,500 × 3 = $4,500 worth of ADA.

This budget covers graphic design work and a Twitter/X premium subscription for the 3-month period.

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

As a Ethiopia Resident Targeting the MENA Region:

For video editing in Dubai, rates typically range from AED 100 (approximately $27 USD) to AED 500 (approximately $136 USD) on an hourly basis.

In Greece, video editing rates can range from €10 to €50 per hour.

Greece-Based Digital Marketing Firm:

Given that Greece generally has a lower cost of living and business expenses compared to Dubai, prices for digital marketing services are often more affordable. A digital marketing firm in Greece might charge between $1,500 and $5,000 per month for a campaign similar to the one described above.

Therefore, for a 3-month campaign, the total cost could range from $4,500 to $15,000.