Onboarding Toolkit for New dReps

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Nana Safo

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Angela Okai Nartey

Nathaniel Dwamena

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

6

[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)

Develop a simplified onboarding toolkit to help new DReps quickly and effectively enter Cardano's governance era.

[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 project will depend on information gathering on existing toolkits.

[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

Documentations will be made public to the community.

[METADATA] Horizons

Governance

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

A. Perception of the Problem:

• Problem: Onboarding new DReps into the governance system of Cardano is cumbersome and incomprehensible to any newcomer. It will be necessary to learn from decentralized governance how to handle tasks such as creating wallets, understand governance rules, and finally, make decisions. Indeed, complex learning processes make it hard to involve dReps into governance and lower the rate at which decentralization can move on.

• Goal: The proposed solution aims to address this by simplifying the onboarding experience, making it easier for new DReps to enter the governance ecosystem and participate meaningfully from the start.

B. Reasons for the chosen approach:

• User-Friendly and Accessible: We chose a simplified toolkit approach because many new DReps are not necessarily technical experts or deeply familiar with blockchain governance. By providing easy-to-follow guidance and tools, we lower the entry barrier and make the onboarding process more accessible to a broader audience.

• Practical and hands-on: The toolkit will focus on practical steps and provide clear, actionable instructions, templates, and resources. This is essential to allow new dReps to immediately set up their wallets, register as dReps, and understand their governance responsibilities without needing in-depth technical expertise.

• Scalable: Over time, numerous new DReps can reuse a simplified toolkit. The content can be regularly updated and adjusted as governance rules evolve or new technologies emerge, making this approach sustainable and scalable within the ecosystem.

• Reducing time and confusion: The toolkit is designed to cut down on the time it takes for new DReps to get up to speed, reducing the confusion that typically accompanies decentralized systems. By providing concise explanations and removing unnecessary complexity, the onboarding process becomes faster and more efficient.

C. Engagement:

• New DReps: The primary users of the toolkit will be individuals and organizations who want to become dReps but are unsure how to navigate the technical and governance requirements.

• Current DReps: Experienced DReps can also benefit by using the toolkit to help onboard new team members or by sharing their own insights, contributing to a collaborative and supportive community.

• Governance Bodies and Educational Platforms: We will engage with governance bodies within the Cardano ecosystem and platforms dedicated to educating community members about decentralized governance.

• Community Involvement: We plan to involve the Cardano community in the development and testing phases of the toolkit. This will ensure that the toolkit is not only comprehensive but also aligned with the real-world challenges and needs that dReps face. Feedback loops with stakeholders will be critical to ensuring continuous improvement.

D. Demonstrating and Proving Impact:

Metrics for Success:

• One key metric will be the number of new dReps that successfully onboard using the toolkit within a set timeframe. An increase in participation in governance will serve as a strong indicator of the toolkit’s effectiveness.

• Surveys and feedback forms will be used to gather insights from new reps about their experience with the toolkit. Positive feedback and suggestions for improvements will help us iterate on the solution.

• We will also track how many new dReps continue to participate in governance activities after their onboarding, as this will indicate the toolkit’s role in keeping them engaged over the long term.

Demonstration of Impact:

• We plan to publish case studies of successful onboarding experiences to show real-world examples of how the toolkit has helped new dReps get started. These stories will provide concrete evidence of the toolkit's value.

• We will host virtual or in-person workshops to showcase the toolkit, guide new users through the onboarding process, and gather real-time feedback. Additionally, results and learnings will be shared with the broader Cardano community through blog posts, presentations, and open-source contributions.

• The toolkit will be made freely available to the community on open platforms. We will also encourage existing dReps and governance experts to contribute to the toolkit’s refinement, fostering continuous development and community ownership of the solution.

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

A. Increased Decentralization and Governance Participation:

Impact:

• As more dReps successfully onboard and become active participants in governance, the decision-making process becomes more decentralized and representative of a diverse set of voices. This strengthens the legitimacy and resilience of Cardano’s governance structure, ensuring that decisions are made by a wider pool of stakeholders.

Measurement:

• Quantitative: Track the number of new dReps that onboard using the toolkit over time and compare it to historical onboarding rates. We will also measure participation rates in governance votes and decision-making activities to assess how many onboarded dReps are actively engaging in governance.

• Qualitative: Collect feedback from new reps regarding their onboarding experience to evaluate how much easier the toolkit made it for them to become active participants. Feedback forms, interviews, and surveys will provide insights into the user experience and highlight areas for improvement.

B. Diversity of Representation in Governance:

Impact:

• By lowering the entry barriers, the project will attract a more diverse group of dReps, including individuals and organizations from various backgrounds, regions, and levels of technical expertise. This diversity brings richer perspectives to governance discussions, leading to more balanced and innovative decisions for the ecosystem.

Measurement:

• Quantitative: Measure the diversity of new dReps (e.g., geographic distribution, background, type of organization). This can be tracked through self-reported demographic data and analysis of participation trends from different regions or sectors.

• Qualitative: Gather testimonials and case studies from reps representing diverse communities to demonstrate the broader inclusion and impact on governance decisions.

C. Enhanced Network Security and Stability:

Impact:

• A well-organized onboarding process ensures that new reps understand the technical requirements and security best practices associated with their role. This minimizes errors, enhances the security of the governance process, and builds trust in the decentralized system. More dReps participating also makes governance decisions more resistant to manipulation or undue influence by a small group of actors.

Measurement:

• Quantitative: Monitor the reduction in onboarding-related errors (e.g., wallet misconfigurations or incorrect registration processes) over time by collecting data from users and support channels.

• Qualitative: Use community feedback to evaluate whether dReps feel more confident and secure in their role after using the toolkit. Feedback surveys and support requests can provide insights into the effectiveness of the toolkit in promoting security awareness.

D. Long-Term Ecosystem Growth and Engagement:

Impact: 

• As more new dReps onboard and stay active, this project will lead to sustained engagement in Cardano’s governance ecosystem. The toolkit will help ensure that dReps not only join but continue to contribute, improving the long-term health and engagement of the governance process.

Measurement:

• Quantitative: Track retention rates of new dReps to assess how many continue to participate in governance activities over a set period (e.g., 6 months, 1 year). Measure governance activity levels before and after the introduction of the toolkit to evaluate its impact on sustained engagement.

• Qualitative: Solicit feedback from long-term dReps on how well the toolkit prepared them for ongoing participation and what elements have been most helpful for their continued involvement.

E. How We Will Measure Impact

• Quantitative Metrics:

1. Number of new dReps onboarded using the toolkit.
2. Governance participation rates (voting rates, proposal participation) of onboarded reps.
3. Diversity of new reps (geography, background, etc.).
4. Retention rates of dReps over time (e.g., 6-month and 1-year activity).

• Qualitative Insights:

1. User feedback on the onboarding experience via surveys, feedback forms, and interviews.
2. Testimonials and case studies from new dReps describe their journey, challenges overcome, and the role the toolkit played in their participation.
3. Community feedback on how the increased number of dReps has impacted the decision-making and governance processes.

F. Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Open-Source Toolkit: The onboarding toolkit will be made freely available to the entire community through open-source platforms such as GitHub, Cardano-focused forums, and governance education portals. This ensures that anyone interested in becoming a dRep can access and use the toolkit.

• Workshops and webinars: We will conduct live workshops and webinars to introduce the toolkit, walk potential DReps through the onboarding process, and answer questions. These events will also serve as a forum to gather real-time feedback for future updates.

• Documentation and Guides: Comprehensive documentation will be provided, detailing how to use the toolkit effectively. This will include step-by-step guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting sections to ensure that reps have everything they need to succeed.

• Reports and Data Sharing: We will publish regular reports that provide a comprehensive overview of the number of onboarded representatives, governance participation rates, and user feedback. These reports will be shared with governance bodies, such as Project Catalyst, and published on community platforms like Cardano Forum and IOHK blogs.

• Engagement with Cardano Governance Bodies: We will actively engage with Cardano governance bodies to promote the use of the toolkit, seek endorsement, and gather insights on how it can be further refined to support the network's goals.

• Collaborative Development: The project will encourage ongoing community collaboration and feedback. This will include inviting experienced dReps and governance experts to contribute to the toolkit’s refinement, ensuring that it stays up-to-date and relevant to new developments in Cardano governance.

[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?

A. Validating the Feasibility of the Approach

• First, there will be a preliminary check for feasibility to ensure the proposed onboarding utility will meet the technological requirements and stipulations of the Cardano ecosystem. The framework will be designed in such a way as to complement current governance structures and reflect the most effective decentralized governance practices.

• Since there aren't many new dReps, the pilot implementation of the dReps will come next in order to assess its efficacy. Development will be done in an agile way, with fast iteration cycles informed by user feedback. The usability and effectiveness of the toolkit with a diverse pool of potential dReps will also be tested to identify and resolve any barriers for users.

B. Existing Capabilities and Suitability for Delivering the Project

• The dRep-Chain team has tons of experience with governance webinars and leading decentralized projects within the Cardano ecosystem. Essentially, our work so far has covered governance protocols, dRep systems, and onboarding processes for Cardano Voltaire. This puts us in good stead for having insight and expertise in crafting governance solutions.

• We possess strong technical capabilities, including expertise in multi-sig wallet setups, smart contracts, and decentralized voting systems. These technical skills are crucial for developing an onboarding toolkit that simplifies complex governance-related setups, making them accessible to non-technical users.

• We have experience developing educational content and toolkits around very complex technical topics, mostly in the blockchain space. They include items such as user guides and tutorials or training modules for people just learning about blockchain. Therefore, they form a very solid base to develop a toolkit to serve the governance needs of Cardano.

C. Processes Demonstrating Trust in Fund Management

• A highly detailed budget that explains expenditure allocation from day one of the project, showing clearly how much of the funds will be apportioned to the respective milestones and resources.

• Payments and resource utilization shall be based on milestones achieved. In this way, spending and use will occur in terms of progress realized. This way, it will ensure that resources are spent valuably and that all stakeholders can recognize the spending of funds and what has been realized.

• And we will also report back to the Cardano community on the status of the project, its finances on a monthly basis through this very milestone review platform, informing the community to keep us accountable toward the larger ecosystem.

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

Initial Landscape Assessment

Duration: 1 Month

Objective:

Conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing onboarding processes, tools, and community needs related to DReps in the Cardano ecosystem.

Tasks:

1. Research current governance onboarding practices within the Cardano ecosystem.
2. Identify gaps and challenges faced by new dReps during the onboarding process.
3. Engage with the Cardano community, governance bodies, and existing dReps to gather insights and feedback.

Acceptance Criteria:

A detailed report summarising findings, including:

• Key challenges in current onboarding processes.
• Recommendations for toolkit features based on community feedback.
• Documentation of community engagement and responses.
• Approval of the report by relevant project stakeholders.

Design and Development of the Toolkit

Duration: 1 Month

Objective:

Create a user-friendly onboarding toolkit that addresses the identified needs and challenges.

Tasks:

1. Develop the content structure and user interface for the toolkit.
2. Create instructional materials (guides, templates, videos) tailored to new DReps.
3. Build a prototype of the toolkit (GitBook)

Acceptance Criteria:

A functional prototype of the onboarding toolkit that includes:

• Step-by-step guides for new DReps.
• User-friendly interface and design.

Pilot Phase and Feedback Collection

Objective:

Launch a pilot version of the toolkit to an audience of new dReps for real-world testing.

Duration: 1 Month

Tasks:

1. Recruit a diverse group of participants from the Cardano community to test the toolkit.
2. Collect quantitative and qualitative feedback through surveys and interviews.
3. Analyze feedback to identify areas for improvement.

Acceptance Criteria:

• At least 20 new DReps complete the onboarding process using the toolkit during the pilot phase.
• Collection of feedback from at least 70% of participants, with insights on usability and effectiveness.
• Identification of at least three key areas for improvement based on participant feedback.

Iteration and Finalization of the Toolkit

Duration: 1 Month

Objective:

Refine the toolkit based on pilot feedback and finalize the materials for public release.

Tasks:

1. Implement revisions to the toolkit based on user feedback from the pilot phase.
2. Conduct additional testing to ensure improvements enhance the user experience.
3. Finalize all content and design elements of the toolkit.

Acceptance Criteria

• A revised version of the onboarding toolkit that reflects changes made from pilot feedback.
• Successful completion of final user testing, showing at least an 65% satisfaction rate on usability.
• All materials were prepared and properly formatted for public release.

Public Launch and Community Engagement

Duration: 1 Month

Objective:

Officially launch the onboarding toolkit and promote it within the Cardano community.

Tasks:

1. Organize a launch event (workshop) to introduce the toolkit and guide users through its features.
2. Publish the toolkit on relevant platforms (GitHub, Cardano forums, etc.) for public access.
3. Engage the community through social media, newsletters, and forums to raise awareness.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Successful execution of a launch event with at least 50 participants.
• Toolkit published and accessible to the community on multiple platforms.
• Collection of initial user feedback post-launch, with at least 70% of users reporting that the toolkit met their needs.

Monitoring, Continuous Improvement, and Project Closeout

Duration: 1 Month

Objective:

Establish a process for ongoing support and updates to the toolkit based on community usage and feedback and submit a close-out report.

Tasks:

1. Set up a feedback mechanism for users to share their experiences and suggest improvements.
2. Monitor toolkit usage through analytics and community engagement metrics.
3. Schedule regular reviews to update the toolkit as needed based on Cardano governance changes or community needs.
4. Prepare and submit a comprehensive closeout report for the project.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Implementation of a feedback loop (e.g., surveys, community forums) for continuous user input.
• Regular reports on toolkit usage and feedback are compiled and shared with stakeholders every quarter.
• At least one significant update to the toolkit implemented within the first six months post-launch based on user feedback.
• A comprehensive closeout report for the project has been submitted.

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

Nana Safo:

With his 4 years of experience in Cardano governance, and 6 years of experience in project management, he shall oversee the overall direction of the project, coordinate between team members, ensure milestones are met on time, and manage stakeholder communication. His contributions to initiatives like Boosting Cardano in South Africa, Cardano Recycling Dapp, Landano.io, Win-Win Mediation, and events (Cardano workshops, conferences, hackathons, etc.) showcase his ability to manage resources efficiently and deliver results.

Role: Project Coordinator

Email: safonanakwadwo2a1@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nanasafo/

Christopher Pokoo-Aikins:

Christopher is an experienced accountant and finance professional with over 12 years of expertise. He holds advanced degrees in computer applications. Passionate about blockchain technology, Christopher has been an active community member in Cardano’s Project Catalyst since Fund 5, serving as a community project reviewer, moderator, voter, and a Catalyst Challenge Team member in Fund 8. As a team member of dRep Chain, he focuses on raising awareness and onboarding dReps to enhance decentralized governance. Additionally, as a dedicated content creator, Christopher produces engaging content to educate and inspire the Cardano community, helping drive adoption and understanding of blockchain technology. With a strong commitment to ethical leadership, he is devoted to driving positive change through blockchain innovation.

Role: Contents Creator

Twitter: chrisaiks

Email: chrisaiks@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-pokoo-aikins/

Richmond Oppong:

Richmond is a seasoned graphic designer and blockchain enthusiast with over a decade of experience in different design disciplines, including logo design, 3D signage, and advertising. He has combined his passion for community development with instructional design in the blockchain space, specifically in the Cardano ecosystem.

He also led in major roles with the Cardano Project Catalyst, and as a co-host with Catalyst Africa School, Richmond is top-notch in creating educational material and tutorials that onboard and direct new members within a given community. He leads design and marketing activities for Catalyst Africa Town Hall and provides visually engaging content and strategic insights to support the Cardano community.

As the Instructional Designer at Wada, he simplifies complex ideas in blockchain into easy-to-understand resources and community-led learning experiences. Equipped with his Community Management experience, he had great experience as a Community Advisor in managing educational projects that ascertain active participation and growth.

Role: Instructional Designer

Twitter: @cardanoholious

Email: holious45@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richmond-oppong-054689b4/

Angela Okai-Nartey:

Angela Okai-Nartey is the founder and executive director of the Ladies Network for Economic Freedom, an organization dedicated to empowering women through financial literacy and economic opportunities. As a Google-certified digital marketer and a research analyst with a deep focus on blockchain technology, she has been actively involved in the Cardano ecosystem since Fund 7. Angela leverages her research expertise to drive innovative solutions in decentralized finance (DeFi), promoting inclusive growth and the transformative potential of blockchain in financial systems. Her leadership continues to advance women’s economic empowerment in the digital age.

Role: Research Analyst

Email: angelanartey00@gmail.com 

Twitter: @Akua_Nartey

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-okai-nartey-8b8aa81b2/

Nathaniel Dwamena:

He is a respected free-market policy analyst in Ghana. He is a blockchain enthusiast and founded the African Institute for Defi and Blockchain (AIDBLOCK) and Community Lead for Ubuntu Origin Labs (UOLABS). His work promotes free enterprise, civil liberty, prosperity, digital inclusion, financial freedom, and he has conducted significant blockchain research. He recently co-authored a policy paper titled, “Navigating Cryptocurrencies and CBDCs in the Landscape of Monetary Sovereignty and Economic Freedom”. He is a distinguished speaker and has played a pivotal role in nurturing blockchain entrepreneurs and educating Ghanaian youths as well as individuals in francophone communities in Ghana through the Working with Web3 initiative. He also educates individuals on liquid democracy and DRep awareness in Ghana.

Role: Research Analyst

Email: natdwamena@yafoweb.org

Twitter: @Nat_Dwamena

Abigail Ayisi:

Christopher is an experienced accountant and finance professional with over 12 years of expertise. He holds advanced degrees in computer applications. Passionate about blockchain technology, Christopher has been an active community member in Cardano’s Project Catalyst since Fund 5, serving as a community project reviewer, moderator, voter, and a Catalyst Challenge Team member in Fund 8. As a team member of dRep Chain, he focuses on raising awareness and onboarding dReps to enhance decentralized governance. Additionally, as a dedicated content creator, Christopher produces engaging content to educate and inspire the Cardano community, helping drive adoption and understanding of blockchain technology. With a strong commitment to ethical leadership, he is devoted to driving positive change through blockchain innovation.

Role: Community Engagement Manager

Email: nefua24@gmail.com

Twitter: Abigail AD

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

Milestone 1: Initial Landscape Assessment

Research and Analysis

Personnel:

• 1 Project Coordinator (1 month)
• Cost: ₳2,500 (full time)
• 2 Research Analysts (1 month)
• Cost: ₳4,000 (full-time @ ₳2,000/head)
• 1 Community Engagement Manager (1 month)
• Cost: ₳1,000 (part-time)

Operational Costs

• Cost: ₳1,500 (surveys, incentives for community feedback)

Total Cost for Milestone 1: ₳9,000

Milestone 2: Design and Development of the Toolkit

Toolkit Content Development

Personnel:

• 1 Project Lead/Coordinator (1 month)
• Cost: ₳2,500 (fulltime)
• 1 Content Creator (1 month)
• Cost: ₳3,000 (full time)
• 1 Instructional Designer (1 month)
• Cost: ₳3000 (full time)

Design Tools and Software Licenses

• Cost: ₳2,000 (Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Git, etc.)

Total Cost for Milestone 2: ₳10,500

Milestone 3: Pilot Phase and Feedback Collection

Pilot Implementation

Personnel:

• 1 Project Coordinator (1 month)
• Cost: ₳1,250 (part time)
• 2 Research Analysts (1 month)
• Cost: ₳4,000 (full-time @ ₳2,000/head)
• 1 Community Engagement Manager (1 month)
• Cost: ₳1,000 (part-time)

Feedback Collection Tools

• Cost: ₳500 (survey software subscription)

Participant Incentives

• Cost: ₳2,000 (for 20 participants)

Total Cost for Milestone 3: ₳8,750

Milestone 4: Iteration and Finalization of the Toolkit

Toolkit Refinement

Personnel:

• 1 Project Lead/Coordinator (1 month)
• Cost: ₳2,500 (fulltime)
• 1 Content Creator (1 month)
• Cost: ₳3,000 (full time)
• 1 Instructional Designer (1 month)
• Cost: ₳3000 (full time)
• 1 Quality Assurance Specialist (1 month)
• Cost: ₳4,000 (full-time)

User Testing

• Cost: ₳1,000 (for feedback collection)

Total Cost for Milestone 4: ₳13,500

Milestone 5: Public Launch and Community Engagement

Launch Event

Personnel:

• 1 Project Coordinator (1 month)
• Cost: ₳2,500 (full time)
• 1 Content Creator (1 month)
• Cost: ₳1,500 (part time)
• 1 Instructional Designer (1 month)
• Cost: ₳1,500 (part time)
• 1 Community Engagement Manager (1 month)
• Cost: ₳2,000 (full-time)

Event Hosting Costs

• Cost: ₳2,000 (workshop platform, marketing materials, etc.)

Community Engagement Campaign

• Cost: ₳2,000 (social media promotion, newsletters)

Total Cost for Milestone 5: ₳11,500

Final Milestone: Monitoring and Continuous Improvement, and Project Closeout

Feedback and Improvement Process

Personnel:

• 1 Project Lead/Coordinator (1 month)
• Cost: ₳2,500 (fulltime)
• 2 Research Analysts (1 month)
• Cost: ₳4,000 (full-time @ ₳2,000/head)
• 1 Content Creator (1 month)
• Cost: ₳1,500 (part time)
• 1 Instructional Designer (1 month)
• Cost: ₳1,500 (part time)
• 1 Quality Assurance Specialist (1 month)
• Cost: ₳2,000 (part-time)
• 1 Community Engagement Manager (1 month)
• Cost: ₳2,000 (full-time)

Ongoing Monitoring Tools

• Cost: ₳500 (analytics software, survey tools)

Total Cost for Milestone 6: ₳14,000

Contingency Fund: ₳20,000 (to be allocated for any unanticipated expenses or extended project needs)

--------------------------------

Total Project Budget: ₳87,250

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

The cost of this project represents strong value for money for the Cardano ecosystem, primarily because it delivers a highly strategic and much-needed solution—an onboarding toolkit for new Delegated Representatives (dReps)—that will facilitate decentralization and enhance participation in governance. Below are the key factors that justify the project costs and show how they are well aligned with the value it brings to the Cardano community.

A. Long-Term Value to the Cardano Ecosystem

• The onboarding toolkit is a one-time investment with long-term benefits: Enabling Growth of Decentralized Governance: By simplifying the process of onboarding new dReps, the toolkit supports the growth of Cardano’s decentralized governance, which is essential for the network's evolution.

• Broader Participation: Easier onboarding will lower barriers to entry, enabling a wider variety of participants (including non-technical users) to join governance, thus improving decision-making and decentralization.

• Reusable Resource: Once developed, the toolkit will serve as a reusable resource for future onboarding, reducing the need for continuous external support or repeated individual training sessions. This self-sustaining model reduces future costs.

B. Cost Justification Based on Industry Standards

• Personnel Costs:
• Project Lead/Coordinator: The monthly rate of ₳2,500 is reasonable compared to industry standards for full-time project management in the blockchain sector, where salaries range between ₳30,000 and ₳120,000 per year depending on experience and location.

• Research Analyst: The rate of ₳2,000/month for a full-time research analyst aligns with average industry rates, where researchers in the blockchain or technology sector typically earn between ₳25,000 and ₳90,000 per year depending on expertise.

• Content Creator/Instructional Designer: At ₳3,000/month part-time, this cost is aligned with freelance rates for content creation in the educational and tech industries, where experienced professionals charge ₳25–₳50 per hour for similar services.

• The personnel costs are proportionate and justified considering the level of expertise required to produce high-quality, specialized content for a blockchain-based governance toolkit.

• Software and Tools:
• Design Tools (e.g., Adobe, Figma, Git): The allocated ₳2,000 for design and content creation software reflects typical subscription costs for professional design tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, which is essential for creating visually appealing and functional toolkits. These tools are widely used in the tech industry and are standard for content development.

• Survey and Testing Tools: The modest ₳500–₳1,000 allocated for feedback collection and user testing tools is proportional to the cost of third-party services like SurveyMonkey or UserTesting, which offer scalable solutions for gathering and analyzing feedback.

C. Proportionality to Average Industry Costs

• Pilot and Testing Phase:
• The pilot phase cost, including participant incentives at ₳2,000 for 20 participants, is reasonable and common practice in product testing. It encourages active participation from DReps and helps gather valuable feedback to refine the toolkit before the public launch. This cost ensures the toolkit is user-validated, leading to higher adoption and effectiveness, which benefits the Cardano ecosystem.

• Event and Launch Costs:
• The ₳2,000 budgeted for the public launch event is a cost-effective way to engage the Cardano community and introduce the toolkit. Compared to hosting physical events, virtual events (via tools like Zoom or WebinarJam) offer a significantly more affordable yet impactful way to reach a global audience, making this an economical option.

D. Return on Investment (ROI) and Community Impact

For an investment of ₳87,250, the toolkit will:

• Accelerate Decentralized Governance: By removing onboarding friction, the toolkit can quickly increase the number of active dReps, which will directly improve Cardano's governance and decentralization, aligning with the ecosystem’s strategic goals.

• Lower Long-Term Support Costs: The toolkit reduces the need for continuous community support or manual guidance for new DReps. Once launched, the Cardano Foundation and community can focus resources elsewhere, as the toolkit will streamline onboarding independently.

• Increase Participation: Greater DRep participation will improve decision-making processes, leading to more community-driven governance outcomes. This has a positive feedback loop, strengthening the ecosystem's governance framework and increasing confidence in Cardano’s decentralized structure.

E. Contingency and Flexibility

• The ₳20,000 contingency fund ensures that any unforeseen challenges can be addressed without compromising the project’s quality or timelines. By including this safety buffer, we reduce the risk of delays or cost overruns, ensuring the project delivers value on time and within budget.