Decentralized School Governance and Funding Platform

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Edwin Pokoo-Aikins

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

Individual

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

A blockchain-based platform to decentralize school governance, enabling community-driven decisions on resource allocation, funding, project proposals, scholarships, and eco-sustainability programs.

[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 fully open-source, with code and outputs made publicly available for the community to use, modify, and expand.

[METADATA] Horizons

Governance

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The Decentralized School Governance and Funding Platform addresses the problem of centralized governance and lack of transparency in school financial management. Traditional school governance models often exclude the broader community (parents, teachers, students) from decision-making processes, and financial management lacks the transparency needed to build trust among stakeholders. By using blockchain technology, our solution aims to decentralize decision-making and improve transparency in school fund management.

1. Problem Perception

We perceive the problem as twofold:

• Centralized Decision-Making: Schools often rely on a small group of administrators for critical decisions such as budget allocation, program development, and infrastructure investments. This limits community involvement and often leads to decisions that do not reflect the needs or priorities of students, parents, or teachers.
• Lack of Financial Transparency: Schools struggle with financial transparency, as stakeholders have little insight into how donations, grants, or school funds are allocated. This can erode trust and accountability in the management of school resources.

2. Approach to Solving the Problem

We propose to use blockchain technology to create a decentralized governance platform for schools, allowing the community to participate directly in decision-making and providing full transparency on how funds are allocated and spent. The key elements of the solution include:

• Token-Based Governance: Each community member (parents, teachers, students) will receive governance tokens that enable them to vote on key decisions, such as school budgets, infrastructure projects, or after-school programs. This empowers stakeholders to have a direct say in how their schools are run.
• Transparent Fund Management: All financial transactions, including donations, grants, and fund disbursements, will be tracked on the blockchain. This ensures that everyone in the community can see how funds are allocated and verify that they are spent as intended, building trust and accountability.
• Decentralized Scholarships: The platform will allow the community to participate in the allocation of scholarships and micro-grants, ensuring that these funds are distributed based on need and merit, as decided by the community.
• Eco-Sustainability Tracking: The platform will also include tools for tracking and supporting eco-sustainability projects in schools, with the community voting on and funding initiatives like green energy projects, waste reduction programs, and more.

3. Engagement

Our project will engage a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• Parents: Parents will have the opportunity to participate in school governance and influence decisions that impact their children’s education.
• Teachers: Teachers will be able to propose and vote on projects that affect their classrooms and school environment.
• Students: Involving students in governance decisions will give them a greater sense of ownership and responsibility over their education.
• School Administrators: Administrators will benefit from the increased trust and accountability that comes from transparency in fund management.
• Wider Community: Community members and donors will be able to track how their contributions are used, ensuring their resources are spent effectively.

4. Proving Impact

We will demonstrate the impact of the platform in the following ways:

• Quantitative Metrics:
• Number of Schools Onboarded: Our goal is to onboard at least 10 schools in the first year, scaling to 50 schools in the longer term.
• Voting Participation Rates: Tracking the number of governance votes held and the participation rates will measure community engagement.
• Funds Tracked and Allocated: We will report on the total funds (donations, grants) processed through the platform and how they were allocated.
• Sustainability Projects Funded: The number of eco-sustainability projects proposed and completed will showcase community involvement in environmental initiatives.
• Qualitative Metrics:
• User Satisfaction: Feedback from parents, teachers, and students on the ease of use and transparency provided by the platform.
• Case Studies: We will develop case studies of schools using the platform to demonstrate improvements in governance and fund management.

5. What is Unique About Our Solution?

• Decentralization in Education: While blockchain has been used for financial applications, our platform brings decentralization to school governance, allowing community members to have direct control over important decisions. This shifts power from a central authority to the hands of the people most affected by the outcomes—students, parents, and teachers.
• Transparency for Trust: Unlike traditional school systems where fund management is opaque, our platform ensures complete transparency through blockchain, giving everyone insight into how school resources are used. This builds trust and fosters accountability.
• Community-Driven Innovation: By allowing the community to propose and vote on new projects, the platform encourages grassroots innovation. Local communities will be able to tailor solutions to their unique needs, whether it’s building new classrooms, funding extracurricular activities, or launching eco-sustainability initiatives.

6. Beneficiaries and Value to Cardano

• Schools and Communities: The primary beneficiaries will be the schools and their communities, who will have a greater say in how their schools are run and greater transparency in how funds are spent.
• Donors and Stakeholders: Donors and external stakeholders will benefit from increased visibility into how their contributions are used, ensuring their donations make a meaningful impact.
• Cardano Community: For Cardano, this project serves as a real-world use case for decentralized governance, demonstrating how blockchain can transform public sector applications. The solution will help position Cardano as a leader in decentralized governance and transparency, which can be extended beyond education to other sectors such as healthcare, public administration, and non-profits.

This proposed solution is not only innovative but also addresses key issues in education governance and financial transparency. It engages a wide range of stakeholders and leverages blockchain technology to foster trust, accountability, and community involvement, all while driving real-world use and adoption of Cardano.

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

The Decentralized School Governance and Funding Platform will have a significant positive impact on both the Cardano community and the broader education sector, showcasing blockchain’s potential for transforming governance and financial transparency. Here’s how:

1. Positive Impact on the Cardano Community

• Showcasing Real-World Utility of Cardano: By implementing a blockchain solution in the education sector, we will demonstrate how Cardano can be leveraged beyond decentralized finance (DeFi). This project will illustrate the platform’s potential for real-world governance and public sector applications, making Cardano more attractive to schools, institutions, and non-profit organizations globally.
• Increased Adoption of Cardano: The project will introduce thousands of educators, parents, students, and community members to Cardano's blockchain technology. By bringing new users into the ecosystem, particularly those unfamiliar with blockchain, the platform will help expand Cardano's user base and community.
• Driving Innovation in Decentralized Governance: This project will pioneer a new model for decentralized governance within the educational sphere, which can be adapted to other sectors. The platform will serve as a blueprint for future projects that wish to decentralize decision-making in public institutions.

2. Measuring Impact

We will measure the impact of the project both quantitatively and qualitatively:

Quantitative Metrics:

• Number of Schools Onboarded: The number of schools using the platform will be a key measure of success. Our initial goal is to onboard at least 10 schools within the first year, with a longer-term goal of scaling to 50 schools or more.
• Number of Governance Votes Held: The number of governance votes (e.g., budget allocations, project decisions) conducted on the platform will demonstrate the level of community engagement. Our aim is to achieve at least 10 successful governance votes within the first six months of operation.
• Transparency in Fund Management: We will track the amount of funds processed through the platform, including donations and fund allocations, as well as the transparency metrics that showcase how funds are spent.
• User Adoption Rates: We will monitor how many users (parents, teachers, students, and community members) actively participate in governance and fund tracking. The aim is to have 500 active users in the first year.

Qualitative Metrics:

• User Feedback: Regular surveys and feedback loops will be established with schools and community members to gauge satisfaction with the platform, identify improvements, and ensure the platform is meeting its goals of transparency and decentralized decision-making.
• Case Studies: We will develop case studies from schools that have adopted the platform to showcase how decentralized governance has positively impacted their operations, including improved transparency and community engagement.

3. Sharing Outputs and Opportunities

• Open-Source Contributions: The platform will be fully open-source, with the codebase made available to the Cardano developer community through GitHub. This will allow other developers and organizations to build upon the platform and adapt it for their own governance or public sector projects.
• Documentation and Guides: We will publish detailed technical documentation, user guides, and case studies, which will be shared with both the Cardano community and education stakeholders globally. This will provide a framework for schools or organizations wishing to adopt similar decentralized governance solutions.
• Community Updates: Regular updates on project progress, user adoption, and governance votes will be shared with the wider Cardano community via platforms such as IdeaScale, Discord, and Telegram. We will also engage with Cardano’s official social media channels and newsletters to reach a broader audience.
• Educational Workshops and Webinars: To further encourage adoption and knowledge-sharing, we will host educational webinars and workshops aimed at schools, developers, and community leaders. These sessions will cover how to implement decentralized governance using the Cardano blockchain and share best practices from the project.

4. Long-Term Value to Cardano

This project will establish Cardano as a leader in decentralized governance for public institutions, creating a real-world use case that can be replicated across sectors beyond education. By demonstrating blockchain’s capacity to increase transparency, accountability, and community engagement, the project will solidify Cardano’s reputation as a versatile and innovative platform for solving real-world challenges.

This impact structure clearly defines the positive impact the project will have, outlines how it will be measured, and describes how outputs will be shared with both the Cardano community and educational stakeholders.

[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?

Our team brings a combination of technical expertise, project management experience, and community involvement to ensure that we can deliver the Decentralized School Governance and Funding Platform with high levels of trust and accountability. Below are the key aspects that demonstrate our capability and how we will ensure the feasibility of the project:

1. Expertise and Experience

• Edwin Pokoo-Aikins (Project Lead & Backend Developer): Edwin has over 5 years of experience in backend development, blockchain technology, and cloud computing. His extensive background in leading technical projects, including AI-driven and blockchain-based solutions, makes him well-suited to oversee the technical implementation of the platform.
• Ayeboafo Egu Kwasi (Blockchain Developer): Ayeboafo is a blockchain expert with hands-on experience in building decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts on Cardano. His ability to create secure and scalable smart contracts ensures that the governance and funding systems will function efficiently and securely.
• Alfred Abaidoo (Cardano Developer): Alfred's expertise in Cardano blockchain development, particularly in decentralized finance (DeFi), will be crucial in ensuring that the platform aligns with the capabilities of the Cardano ecosystem and leverages its potential for decentralized governance.
• Eugene Pokoo-Aikins (Blockchain & Software Engineer): Eugene has contributed to decentralized solutions that prioritize transparency, security, and scalability. His experience in smart contract auditing and DeFi protocols strengthens the project's capacity to ensure secure and transparent fund management.
• Christopher Pokoo-Aikins (Finance & Blockchain Advisor): With over 12 years of experience in finance, Christopher has a deep understanding of financial compliance and fund management. His involvement in Project Catalyst since Fund 5, along with his role as a community advisor, demonstrates his commitment to blockchain governance and transparency.

2. Feasibility Validation

We have structured the project with clear milestones and measurable outputs, ensuring that each phase of the project can be tracked, reviewed, and validated. Here’s how we ensure feasibility:

• Technical Feasibility: The project will begin with the development of a detailed platform architecture and governance model (Milestone 1). This will validate the technical feasibility by laying a strong foundation for the decentralized governance system. We will use existing blockchain technologies such as Cardano, which have been proven to support governance systems.
• Pilot Phase: During the pilot, we will onboard a few initial schools to test the platform and gather feedback. This approach allows us to iterate quickly and ensure the system is fully functional before scaling further. The feedback will validate the usability and adoption of the platform.
• Smart Contract Security: We will ensure feasibility by conducting third-party security audits on all smart contracts. This will not only validate the security of the platform but also build trust among stakeholders, ensuring that the system is safe and reliable.

3. Fund Management and Accountability

We are committed to transparent and responsible fund management, following best practices to ensure that all allocated resources are used efficiently and effectively. The steps we will take include:

• Detailed Budget Breakdown: We have provided a clear budget breakdown for each phase of the project, ensuring that every allocated fund is tied to a specific deliverable or task. This level of detail ensures that funds are spent according to plan and with accountability.
• Financial Oversight by Christopher Pokoo-Aikins: As an experienced finance professional, Christopher will oversee all aspects of fund management, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and proper use of funds. His experience in managing large-scale financial operations ensures that we adhere to the highest standards of accountability.
• Regular Reporting: We will provide regular updates on project progress, including financial reports that detail how funds are being used. This transparency ensures that stakeholders and the community can monitor the project’s financial health and ensure proper fund allocation.
• Blockchain Transparency: Because the platform is built on blockchain, all financial transactions (e.g., donations, fund allocations) will be recorded on-chain, providing real-time transparency for stakeholders. This will ensure that the use of funds is visible and verifiable by the community at any time.

4. Community Engagement and Trust

We have already engaged key stakeholders, including developers and community members, through direct communication and channels such as Discord and Telegram. We are also in regular communication with schools and education stakeholders who have expressed interest in piloting the platform. This level of engagement builds trust and ensures that the project aligns with real-world needs and expectations.

In summary, our team's technical experience, financial management expertise, and commitment to transparency and community engagement position us to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability. The detailed milestones and transparent fund management practices will ensure that the project is both feasible and trustworthy.

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

Milestone 1: Platform Architecture & Governance Model

Timeline: Month 1-2

A: Milestone Outputs

1. Platform Architecture: A complete technical architecture blueprint for the decentralized school governance platform, including details on system components, blockchain integration, and the infrastructure required for both backend and frontend development.
2. Governance Model Design: A detailed governance model outlining the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders (parents, teachers, students, community members), how governance tokens will be distributed, and how voting and decision-making processes will function.
3. Development Roadmap: A comprehensive roadmap for the development process, breaking down key phases, tasks, and dependencies for delivering the platform.
4. Technology Stack Selection: Finalization of the tools, frameworks, and blockchain technologies (e.g., Cardano, smart contracts) that will be used to build the platform.

B: Acceptance Criteria

1. Complete Technical Blueprint: The platform architecture must be fully documented, covering all system components, including blockchain integration, smart contract modules, user interface requirements, and data flow structures.
2. Governance Model Finalized: The governance model must clearly define the decision-making processes, token distribution mechanisms, and the roles of all key stakeholders in the system. The model must align with community needs and ensure inclusivity and transparency.
3. Clear Development Roadmap: A clear and achievable development roadmap that outlines all major project milestones, deliverables, and estimated timelines, showing how the platform will be built in each phase.
4. Technology Stack Confirmed: The selection of all key technologies, including programming languages, development frameworks, and blockchain tools, must be finalized and documented.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

1. Platform Architecture Document: A detailed architecture document that is reviewed and approved by the project team. It should include system diagrams, integration points, and technical specifications of all major components.
2. Governance Model Documentation: A formal governance model document that outlines the governance structure, roles, decision-making processes, and the token-based voting system. The model must be reviewed and approved by the core team.
3. Development Roadmap: A roadmap showing all key milestones, tasks, and deadlines. It should include development stages, testing phases, and launch dates, ensuring the project remains on schedule.
4. Technology Stack Report: A report confirming the selection of the tech stack (e.g., Cardano, Node.js, React) and justification for the choices made, ensuring the tools and frameworks are suited for the project’s needs.

Milestone 2: Token-Based Governance & Voting System

Timeline: Month 3-4

A: Milestone Outputs

1. Token-Based Governance System: A blockchain-integrated governance system where users (parents, teachers, students, and community members) can vote on school-related decisions using a token-based mechanism.
2. Voting Module: The creation of a module that allows users to propose and vote on issues such as budget allocation, project proposals, and extracurricular activities.
3. Token Distribution: A system for distributing governance tokens to authorized community members, enabling their participation in voting processes.
4. Voting Interface: A user-friendly interface that allows users to view proposals, cast votes, and see voting results in real-time on the blockchain.

B: Acceptance Criteria

1. Functional Voting System: The governance system must be fully operational, enabling community members to submit proposals and vote on them using tokens. The voting system must ensure transparency and security, with votes recorded on the blockchain.
2. Successful Token Distribution: Governance tokens must be distributed to at least 100 community members (parents, teachers, students) across the initial schools participating in the pilot.
3. User Engagement: At least one voting event (e.g., decision on school budget allocation or new projects) must be completed with participation from community members using the voting system.
4. Transparent Voting Results: Voting results must be visible to all users in real-time, with blockchain records confirming the integrity and transparency of the votes.
5. Data Privacy & Security: The voting system must ensure the privacy and security of users’ voting decisions, complying with relevant data protection standards.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

1. Blockchain Voting Records: Verified records of voting events stored on the blockchain, showing that proposals were voted on, and results were accurately recorded.
2. Token Distribution Logs: Logs showing the successful distribution of governance tokens to community members, enabling their participation in the voting process.
3. Voting Event Reports: Reports detailing the outcomes of at least one completed voting event, including the number of votes cast, participation rates, and decisions made.
4. User Feedback: Surveys or feedback from community members on the usability and effectiveness of the voting system, particularly regarding their experience participating in voting events.
5. Security Audit: A report confirming that the voting system meets necessary data privacy and security standards, ensuring that user voting decisions remain confidential and tamper-proof.

Milestone 3: Transparent School Funding Module

Timeline: Month 5-6

A: Milestone Outputs

1. Transparent School Funding Module: A blockchain-based system that tracks and reports all school-related funding, donations, and grants in real-time. The system will provide transparency for the community regarding how funds are allocated and spent.
2. Real-Time Fund Tracking Dashboard: A user-facing dashboard that displays the status of school funds, including incoming donations, fund allocation, and spending reports for various projects and operations.
3. Stakeholder Access: Parents, teachers, and community members can view funding reports and track how school resources are managed through the platform.

B: Acceptance Criteria

1. Operational Funding Module: The school funding module must be fully integrated and operational, enabling users to track fund inflows (donations, grants) and outflows (spending on school projects, supplies, etc.) on the blockchain.
2. Usable Dashboard: The real-time dashboard must be accessible and user-friendly, providing clear, accurate, and up-to-date information on school funds for stakeholders.
3. Active Usage by Schools: At least 3 schools must be actively using the funding module, with their funding data being tracked and made available to the community through the dashboard.
4. Transparent Reporting: The system must be able to generate and display monthly or quarterly reports detailing how funds have been utilized for school projects or operations.
5. Security & Data Privacy: The module must comply with data privacy standards, ensuring secure access to financial data and protecting sensitive information related to school finances.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

1. Dashboard Access Logs: Logs that show community members, parents, and teachers accessing the funding dashboard to view fund reports and track school financial activities.
2. Fund Transaction Records: Blockchain transaction records that verify the flow of funds, both incoming (e.g., donations) and outgoing (e.g., payments for school projects or supplies).
3. Financial Reports: Generated reports from the module that display how school funds have been allocated and spent over a set period (monthly or quarterly).
4. User Feedback on Transparency: Surveys or feedback from schools and community members indicating satisfaction with the transparency and usability of the funding module.
5. Security & Compliance Documentation: Documentation confirming that the funding module meets security standards and adheres to relevant data privacy regulations.

Milestone 5: Eco-Sustainability Tracking Integration

Timeline: Month 9-10

A: Milestone Outputs

1. Eco-Sustainability Tracking Feature: Integration of a feature that allows schools to track sustainability projects (e.g., energy usage, solar panel installations, waste reduction programs) using the blockchain.
2. Community Voting Module: Community members (parents, teachers, and students) can propose and vote on sustainability projects for schools, using a token-based voting system.
3. Eco-Initiative Dashboard: A dashboard that provides real-time data on the progress of sustainability projects, including metrics such as carbon footprint reductions, resource savings, and project status.
4. Rewards System: A rewards system where schools can earn tokens or recognition based on achieving sustainability goals, tracked via blockchain.

B: Acceptance Criteria

1. Functional Tracking System: The eco-sustainability tracking feature is operational and schools can use it to submit, monitor, and report on sustainability projects.
2. Voting System for Projects: The community can propose and vote on eco-initiatives, and the voting system must be integrated into the platform and operate without bugs.
3. Dashboard Availability: The eco-initiative dashboard is accessible to all users, showing up-to-date progress on sustainability projects and related metrics.
4. Engagement from Initial Schools: At least 3 onboarded schools are actively participating in the sustainability tracking feature, with at least 1 sustainability project proposed and voted on.
5. Token Reward Mechanism: Schools or community members receive tokens or recognition for completing eco-sustainability projects, tracked transparently on the blockchain.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

1. User Access Logs: Logs showing that schools and community members have accessed and interacted with the eco-sustainability tracking feature, including proposals and votes on sustainability projects.
2. Voting Records: Blockchain transaction records that verify successful voting and decision-making on at least one eco-initiative.
3. Dashboard Reports: Screenshots or reports from the eco-initiative dashboard displaying active sustainability projects and relevant metrics.
4. Completion of an Eco-Sustainability Project: Documentation of at least one successfully tracked and completed sustainability project, along with the rewards distributed via the blockchain.
5. User Feedback Surveys: Feedback from participating schools and community members on the effectiveness and usability of the eco-sustainability tracking feature.

1. Milestone 5: Eco-Sustainability Tracking

• Key Action: Integrate blockchain-based eco-sustainability tracking for school projects.
• Evidence: Prototype tracking system and eco-initiative dashboard.
• Timeline: Month 9-10

Final Milestone: Full Platform Integration & Launch

Timeline: Month 11-12

A: Milestone Outputs

1. Fully Integrated Platform: The platform, including all core modules (decentralized governance, transparent funding, decentralized scholarships, vendor payments, and eco-sustainability tracking), is fully integrated and functional.
2. Initial Schools Onboarded: At least 5 schools will be onboarded to the platform, with access to the governance and funding features.
3. Smart Contract Deployment on Mainnet: All smart contracts for governance, funding, and vendor payments will be deployed on the Cardano mainnet.
4. Training & Documentation: Training materials (videos, user guides, online documentation) will be made available for schools and community members, alongside technical documentation for developers.
5. Public Launch Announcement: A public announcement of the platform’s launch, including outreach to schools and communities, supported by marketing efforts and social media campaigns.

B: Acceptance Criteria

1. Functional Platform: The platform must operate without critical bugs, allowing users to access and use all core features (governance voting, fund tracking, proposal submissions, and smart contract-based transactions).
2. User Onboarding: At least 5 schools must be actively using the platform, with users from the schools (administrators, teachers, and parents) engaging in governance decisions.
3. Successful Transactions: Smart contracts must execute properly on the mainnet, with at least 10 transactions successfully completed (e.g., voting events, vendor payments, or scholarship allocations).
4. User Feedback: Positive feedback from the initial school users, confirming that the platform meets their needs and is easy to use.
5. Training Materials Available: Comprehensive training materials for schools, as well as public-facing documentation, must be available online for onboarding new users.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

1. Platform Access Logs: Logs showing the operational status of the platform and user engagement from onboarded schools.
2. Transaction Records: Blockchain transaction records confirming the execution of smart contracts for governance votes, funding allocation, or vendor payments.
3. User Feedback Reports: User satisfaction surveys and feedback reports from the onboarded schools, detailing their experience with the platform.
4. Public Launch Confirmation: Evidence of a successful public launch, including press releases, social media campaign metrics, and user engagement statistics (website visits, sign-ups, etc.).
5. Documentation and Training Resources: Links to the platform’s online documentation and user guides, along with access logs showing user downloads or views of training materials.

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

Team Members and Roles

1. Edwin Pokoo-Aikins – Project Lead & Backend Developer

• LinkedIn: Edwin Pokoo-Aikins
• Role: Edwin will lead the overall project, coordinating all stages from planning to implementation. He will oversee backend development, particularly focusing on the integration of blockchain for decentralized governance and transparent fund management. His role includes project management and ensuring the successful delivery of the platform.

1. Ayeboafo Egu Kwasi – Blockchain Developer

• LinkedIn: Ayeboafo Egu Kwasi
• Role: Ayeboafo will focus on developing and deploying smart contracts, as well as ensuring the token-based governance system operates efficiently. His role also includes the development of decentralized scholarship and vendor payment modules, utilizing blockchain technology to create secure and scalable solutions.

1. Alfred Abaidoo – Cardano Developer

• Role: Alfred’s main responsibility will be working on Cardano-specific blockchain integration. He will help with the implementation of smart contracts, especially ensuring compatibility with Cardano’s blockchain infrastructure, and perform the necessary updates as the platform evolves.

1. Eugene Pokoo-Aikins – Blockchain & Software Engineer

• Role: Eugene will handle the design, installation, testing, and maintenance of the software systems. He will also contribute to smart contract auditing, ensuring security, transparency, and scalability. Eugene will focus on integrating decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols into the platform, including transparent tracking of school funds.

1. Christopher Pokoo-Aikins – Finance & Blockchain Advisor

• LinkedIn: Christopher Pokoo-Aikins
• Role: Christopher will oversee financial compliance, ensuring that the platform's financial models adhere to relevant laws and educational sector regulations. He will also help structure the transparent financial management system, integrating blockchain into real-world fund allocation and tracking.

Recruiting Additional Team Members

We are planning to recruit additional team members as the project scales, focusing on the following skills:

• Front-End Developer: To develop a user-friendly interface for schools, parents, and students to interact with the platform. The front-end developer will ensure ease of use and accessibility across devices.
• UX/UI Designer: To design an intuitive and engaging experience for the platform’s users, focusing on seamless navigation and user onboarding.
• Blockchain Security Expert: To enhance the security protocols of the platform, ensuring robust smart contract auditing and addressing vulnerabilities related to decentralized finance.
• Marketing & Community Engagement Specialist: To drive outreach efforts, onboarding schools, engaging communities, and managing the marketing campaign to promote platform adoption.

These additional team members will be recruited based on industry standards, with the goal of securing professionals who are experienced in decentralized platforms and education-focused technology solutions.

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

1. Development – 45,000 ADA

This covers the core technical development of the platform, including blockchain integration, front-end and back-end development, and the implementation of smart contracts.

• Blockchain & Smart Contract Development (Cardano, Solidity) – 25,000 ADA
• This includes designing and building the token-based governance system, transparent funding modules, and decentralized scholarships. The smart contracts for vendor payments will also be developed in this phase.
• Platform Architecture & Front-End Development – 15,000 ADA
• Development of the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) for community members to participate in governance, fund tracking, and eco-sustainability projects.
• Testing and Bug Fixing – 5,000 ADA
• This includes rigorous testing of the smart contracts, security audits, bug fixes, and stress testing the platform before launch.

2. Marketing & Outreach – 25,000 ADA

A significant portion of the budget will go towards engaging schools, communities, and stakeholders, as well as promoting the platform to increase adoption.

• Publicity & Marketing Campaigns – 15,000 ADA
• Marketing efforts will focus on raising awareness in schools and communities through online campaigns, social media, and local outreach.
• Community Engagement – 5,000 ADA
• In-person events, webinars, and training sessions to onboard school administrators, parents, teachers, and students. These will focus on how to use the platform and the benefits of decentralized governance.
• Content Creation & Documentation – 5,000 ADA
• This includes creating video tutorials, user guides, and online help resources to assist stakeholders in using the platform effectively.

3. Smart Contract Implementation – 20,000 ADA

• Smart Contract Auditing – 10,000 ADA
• A third-party code auditing service will be contracted to review the smart contracts, ensuring they are secure, robust, and free from vulnerabilities.
• Security Measures & Integration – 10,000 ADA
• This budget covers the cost of integrating best-practice security features, such as multi-signature wallets for managing funds and secure voting mechanisms for decentralized decision-making.

4. Legal & Compliance – 5,000 ADA

• Legal & Regulatory Compliance – 5,000 ADA
• This includes ensuring that the platform complies with local laws and educational regulations regarding financial management, community governance, and data protection. It will also cover legal fees related to the project's intellectual property and data privacy considerations.

5. Miscellaneous & Contingencies – 5,000 ADA

• Miscellaneous Costs & Contingencies – 5,000 ADA
• This is reserved for unforeseen expenses that may arise during the development process, including hardware requirements, additional legal consultations, or unexpected project delays.

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

The 100,000 ADA budget provides strong value for money by delivering a blockchain-based platform that decentralizes school governance and promotes transparency in fund management.

1. Scope and Impact: The platform addresses real-world issues in education, empowering communities through blockchain-based decision-making. This impact is scalable across schools, benefiting thousands of stakeholders, and positioning Cardano as a leader in decentralized governance solutions.
2. Proportional Costs: The budget reflects competitive industry rates. Development costs (45,000 ADA) align with average blockchain developer fees, while smart contract audits (10,000 ADA) are within typical ranges. The marketing allocation (25,000 ADA) will ensure broad adoption through efficient outreach strategies.
3. Competitive Rates: The team is based in regions where development costs are lower, ensuring cost-efficiency. This allows for high-quality delivery at competitive rates without compromising on project outcomes.
4. Long-Term Ecosystem Value: By investing in this project, Cardano showcases its adaptability in solving real-world problems outside finance. This will attract new users, create educational sector partnerships, and lay the groundwork for future decentralized applications.

In summary, this proposal offers excellent value by aligning costs with project goals, providing transparency, scalability, and ecosystem-wide benefits.