Switzerland for UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency) + Optim Finance - Innovative Donation Platform For Digital Assets -

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Ethan Protas

[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)

8

[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)

Partner with Switzerland for UNHCR to create an automated yield donation protocol using OADA, OUSD + other assets to enable sustainable humanitarian funding through DeFi. Donate yield, keep principle

[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 dependancies

[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

MIT Open Source License

[METADATA] Horizons

DeFi

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The Switzerland for UNHCR and Optim Finance partnership pioneers a revolutionary approach to humanitarian giving on Cardano and crypto more broadly. By leveraging Optim's established OADA protocol, future OUSD protocol, and the robust Cardano SPO network, we're creating a sustainable funding mechanism that bridges the gap between digital assets and humanitarian impact.

The core of our solution is the OADA Yield Optimization Protocol, which generates returns 30-50% higher than traditional staking through a sophisticated multi-strategy approach. This enhanced yield enables meaningful humanitarian impact without requiring direct asset donations, while maintaining users' ability to participate in DeFi activities.

The user experience is designed to be seamless and transparent. Donors can deposit any amount of ADA and select their preferred yield donation percentage, receiving an NFT Impact Certificate that tracks their contributions in real-time. This certificate serves multiple purposes beyond simple recognition - it enables possible special event access, real life recognition opportunities, and creates a verifiable record of humanitarian impact.

In future iterations of the product other yield bearing assets will be able to be plugged into these innovative vaults across Cardano. OUSD for dollars then other non-Optim yield bearing assets in V2.

Switzerland for UNHCR 's role ensures that yield distributions translate directly into humanitarian assistance. 

Technical Architecture

The OADA Yield Optimization Protocol forms the foundation of our technical infrastructure, employing sophisticated automated yield generation strategies to maximize returns while balancing risk with a conservative asset deployments. Through a multi-strategy approach, the protocol combines optimized stake delegation, stake auctions, with LP farming strategies and additional protocol rewards. The system performs automated compounding and optimization every epoch, ensuring consistent performance through our audited, open-source smart contracts.

Our Strategic SPO Integration maintains robust relationships with Cardano stake pool operators through fixed 500K ADA delegations. These delegations operate on 6-month rotation periods, managed efficiently through our established Liquidity Bonds system. This approach ensures sustainable support for the Cardano ecosystem while maintaining optimal yield generation.

The Yield Distribution Mechanism operates on a precise epoch-based calculation model. A multi-signature treasury securely collects these yields, with automated distribution triggers executing every N days. Users can customize their impact by selecting donation percentages ranging from 25% to 100% of their generated yield.

Switzerland for UNHCR  Operational Framework

Switzerland for UNHCR 's involvement ensures effective humanitarian impact through comprehensive donation operational oversight. They manage humanitarian funds distribution and conduct quarterly protocol performance reviews, while continuously validating impact measurements. Their expertise ensures that technical yields translate into real-world humanitarian assistance.

The impact reporting framework maintains transparency through detailed documentation of impact stories and comprehensive fund utilization tracking. Quarterly impact reports provide stakeholders with clear visibility into the humanitarian outcomes achieved. This reporting structure is complemented by active community engagement through impact forums and a structured recognition program that acknowledges contributor participation.

Impact Measurement and Humanitarian Outcomes

Our impact measurement framework tracks both humanitarian and community engagement metrics to ensure comprehensive program evaluation. The humanitarian metrics focus on the number of individuals supported and the diverse types of assistance provided, while community engagement is measured through monthly active donors and SPO participation levels.

To illustrate the real-world impact, consider our emergency response support capabilities: a deployment of 100,000 ADA in TVL generating yearly yield can provide emergency shelter for 20 refugee families, establish clean water access for 100 individuals, and supply basic medical supplies for 50 people in need. This tangible impact demonstrates how yield generation directly translates into humanitarian assistance.

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

Our initiative creates a sustainable bridge between Cardano's DeFi ecosystem and humanitarian assistance, establishing a new paradigm for charitable giving. By transforming passive yield into active humanitarian support, we project significant real-world impact from protocol adoption.

The protocol demonstrates blockchain technology's potential for social impact while creating a compelling new use case for Cardano. This innovation attracts new participants to the ecosystem while providing existing ADA holders with meaningful ways to generate social impact through their holdings.

The Initiative will create substantial value for the Cardano ecosystem by introducing mainstream ADA holders to DeFi through humanitarian giving. Many ADA holders currently only stake their assets through basic delegation. This initiative provides a compelling reason to explore DeFi - supporting global humanitarian efforts while maintaining their principal investment. By abstracting away technical complexity through a simple deposit interface, we remove traditional barriers to DeFi participation while demonstrating real-world utility.

The initiative strengthens Cardano's stake pool operator (SPO) ecosystem through its innovative partner program. By allocating fixed 500K ADA delegations to selected mission-driven SPOs each quarter, we create meaningful delegation opportunities while building bridges between stake pools and humanitarian impact. This program encourages SPO community engagement and cross-pool collaboration, strengthening the foundational layer of Cardano's network.

Success will be measured through clear metrics: total value locked in humanitarian vaults, number of unique donors (with focus on first-time DeFi users), SPO program participation and community reach, and most importantly - the real-world impact achieved through yield donations. We'll track both on-chain metrics and qualitative feedback through regular community surveys and SPO engagement.

All learnings and developments will be shared openly with the Cardano community through comprehensive documentation, regular development updates, and case studies. Technical improvements and novel solutions will be contributed back to the ecosystem, creating a blueprint for future social impact initiatives on Cardano.

This project demonstrates Cardano's capability to support meaningful real-world impact while advancing DeFi adoption and technical innovation. Success here will attract new mission-driven participants to the ecosystem and establish Cardano as a leading platform for humanitarian blockchain initiatives.

We'll measure quantitive results such

Ecosystem Growth Targets:

• TVL Target: 5M ADA in first year
• Active Donors: 500+ wallets
• Support Impact: Aid for 1,000+ refugees

[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?

Optim Finance brings substantial DeFi expertise to this initiative, demonstrated through our successful track record. Our OADA protocol has attracted nearly 25 million ADA in TVL since launch, while our Liquidity Bonds dApp has safely managed over 150 million ADA, reaching Top 5 TVL on Cardano.

Key Team Capabilities:

• Deep technical expertise from Minswap, MLabs, and IOHK
• Proven track record in DeFi protocol development
• Successful management of high-value digital assets

Our partnership with Switzerland for UNHCR provides crucial operational oversight and impact validation. Their quarterly protocol reviews and impact measurement validation ensure our technical solutions translate into real-world humanitarian assistance. This collaboration creates a robust framework for sustainable, transparent, and effective humanitarian giving.

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

Milestone 1: Design Specification and Documentation 

Summary: Create comprehensive design documentation and project specifications.

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Technical specification document and smart contract architecture design
• Risk assessment framework document

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• Documentation approved by Optim technical team and Switzerland for UNHCR 
• Architecture diagrams completed
• Risk framework outlined

C. Evidence of Completion:

• Complete specification package in project repository
• Stakeholder approval documentation

Milestone 5:  Testing and Enhancement 

Summary: Front-end feature enhancement and smart contract testing 

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Complete test coverage report
• Enhanced NFT features and API integration

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• All core features functional
• Performance benchmarks met

C. Evidence of Completion:

• Comprehensive test reports
• Feature demonstration package

Milestone 2: User Experience Design and Smart Contract Setup 

Summary: Create detailed UI/UX designs and implement basic smart contract structure.

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Complete Figma mockups for all user interfaces
• Smart contract initial code 
• User flow documentation

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• UI/UX design package approved by stakeholders
• Smart contract structure and initial code complete 

C. Evidence of Completion:

• Figma project files and design assets
• Initial smart contract repository

Milestone 3: Core Smart Contract Development 

Summary: Develop and test core smart contract functionality.

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Yield distribution contract implementation
• NFT minting functionality

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• Successful test transactions on testnet
• NFT minting demonstration successful

C. Evidence of Completion:

• Smart contract codebase overview video 
• Testnet or mainnet transaction records

Milestone 4:  Frontend Development and Integration 

Summary: Develop user interface and begin integration work.

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Functional donor interface
• Admin dashboard with basic Switzerland for UNHCR  integration

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• Interface matches approved designs
• Testing framework operational

C. Evidence of Completion:

• Working frontend prototype
• Integration test results

Milestone 5:  Testing and Enhancement 

Summary: Front-end feature enhancement and smart contract testing 

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Complete test coverage report
• Enhanced NFT features and API integration

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• All core features functional
• Performance benchmarks met

C. Evidence of Completion:

• Comprehensive test reports
• Feature demonstration package

Final Milestone: Security Review and Launch

Summary: Final security review, deployment, and launch activities.

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Security audit completion and mainnet deployment
• Launch package and partner onboarding materials

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• Security audit with report of issues on audit addressed by team
• Successful mainnet deployment and partner onboarding
• Launch materials approved by all stakeholders

C. Evidence of Completion:

• Security audit report and mainnet contracts
• Launch documentation package

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

Ethan Protas- Product lead (Product design)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-protas-b0b724214/

Maksymilian Brodowicz - Tech lead (Technical implementation)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maksymilian-brodowicz/?originalSubdomain=pl

Alvaro Cosi - Switzerland For UNHCR - Head of Comms & Innovation

(Product operations, funding distribution)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvarocosi/

Experience - Minswap, MLabs, IOHK

Consistently delivered/shipped high quality DeFi protocols to mainnet

Clear track record of successfully delivering dApps that are widely adopted

Website: https://www.optim.finance/ 

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

Total Budget: 1,225,000 ADA

Smart Contract Development: 700,000 ADA

• Yield distribution contract
• NFT certificate system
• Integration contracts

Integration & Infrastructure: 200,000

• Switzerland for UNHCR API: 
• Impact tracking system: 
• Testing environment: 

User Interface Development: 100,000

• Donor interface
• Impact visualization

Security & Launch: 225,000

• Security audit(s)
• Launch support Marketing
• Community education & marketing

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

The requested 1,225, 000 ADA represents value for the Cardano ecosystem. This investment has the potential to generate millions in long-term humanitarian impact while advancing Cardano's real-world adoption. By creating a sustainable funding mechanism for humanitarian assistance, we're demonstrating blockchain technology's potential for social impact.

Our first-year targets include reaching 5M ADA in TVL, supporting over 1,000 refugees, and engaging 500+ donor wallets. These metrics represent significant ecosystem growth for real world use cases and humanitarian impact. The protocol's ability to generate ongoing yield for humanitarian causes creates a multiplier effect, where the initial investment continues to generate value over time.

Moreover, this project positions Cardano as a leader in blockchain-based humanitarian solutions, potentially attracting new institutional partners and users to the ecosystem. The innovation in combining DeFi yields with humanitarian giving creates a replicable model for other social impact initiatives. The model can be extended to other yield generating assets on Cardano as well as other humanitarian causes. Given the contract are fully open source anyone can create and sustain this model of innovative humanitarian giving on Cardano.