Accra Resource Center: Igniting African Youth in Cardano & Decentralised Web Innovation.

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Afia Owusu

[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)

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)

Use the Accra Resource Center to facilitate comprehensive training, mentorship, resources, partnerships, and job placement to empower young Africans in the web3 and blockchain development space.

[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

Project’s main outputs will be shared publicly and accessible for build up, also all contributions in the network are open and shared through appropriate source or creative commons licenses

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG 1 to end poverty in all forms everywhere

SDG 4 Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

SDG 8 Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

SDG 10 Reduce inequality within and among countries

SDG 17 Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

The Resource Center will be standing as an all-in-one solution to equip African youth with vital skills in web3 and blockchain development. As a beacon of knowledge, training, and support, this specialized hub will be empowering young Africans to effectively navigate the evolving digital terrain.

Our structured curriculum, designed specifically to address the needs of African youth, will be ensuring they obtain the necessary expertise in web3 and blockchain technologies. Practical training, workshops, and mentorship programs will be provided, granting first hand exposure to real-world applications of blockchain platforms like Cardano.

The Center will also be functioning as a knowledge vault, offering a robust library of resources such as online courses, tutorials, and research documents. This will ensure that African youth stay updated with the latest developments in web3 and blockchain technologies.

Our aim is to cultivate a collaborative network, connecting African youth with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and potential employers. Regular events like meetups, hackathons, and conferences will stimulate idea exchange and encourage networking within the blockchain community. Also, collaborate with educational institutions, governments, and tech companies will be formed to widen our reach and ensure the longevity of the Resource Center. These alliances will be helping us amplify our impact across Africa.

By nurturing innovation and unlocking the potential of our youth, the Center will be positioning Africa as a leading force in web3 and blockchain development. Our approach will not only be bridging the existing resource gap but also grooming a generation poised to drive Africa's digital transformation.

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

The proposed solution of establishing the Resource Center addresses the challenge of limited resources and opportunities for African youth in web3 and blockchain development by providing comprehensive training, mentorship, resources, networking, partnerships, and job placement. This solution benefits the Cardano ecosystem in several ways:

1. Expanded Adoption: By empowering African youth with skills and expertise in Cardano and blockchain development, the Resource Center can drive the adoption of Cardano in Africa, leading to increased usage and ecosystem growth.
2. Innovation and Development: The center's focus on practical workshops and projects encourages participants to explore and create innovative applications on the Cardano blockchain, fostering development and expanding the range of use cases within the ecosystem.
3. Knowledge Sharing: The Resource Center's knowledge repository and community engagement initiatives facilitate the sharing of insights, research, and best practices within the Cardano ecosystem, contributing to its overall knowledge base and fostering collaboration.
4. Network Expansion: Through networking events and collaborations, the Center connects African youth with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and potential employers, expanding the Cardano ecosystem's network and fostering valuable partnerships.
5. Talent Enhancement: By nurturing a generation of skilled developers and professionals, the Center helps build a talented workforce with expertise in Cardano, strengthening the ecosystem's human capital and driving its long-term success.
6. Sustainable Growth: By establishing partnerships with educational institutions, governments, and tech companies, the Center ensures sustainability, enabling it to continue empowering African youth and contributing to the growth of the Cardano ecosystem.

[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?

The team consists of experienced professionals with a proven track record in the web3 and blockchain industry and also within the Cardano ecosystem. They have expertise in project management, education, blockchain development, and community engagement, ensuring a solid foundation for delivering the project.

A good governance structure with defined roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes will be put in place

Stakeholder engagement will be a priority and actively involve key participants, mentors, partners, and community members, throughout the project lifecycle.

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

Milestone 1: Center Establishment and Curriculum Development - The first six (6) weeks represent the preparatory phase for the project. At the end of the first six (6) weeks, would be completed. The following activities are planned to achieve this milestone:

1. Center Establishment (5 weeks):

• Set up fixtures and fittings including internet and hardware. (Weeks 1-3)
• Hire staff. (Weeks 4-5)

2. Curriculum Development (6 weeks):

• Design a structured curriculum. (Week 1)
• Develop course materials. (Weeks 2-4)
• Incorporate feedback from experts. (Weeks 4-6)

Milestone 2: Instructor On boarding and Participant Recruitment is expected to be completed at the end of month 2. This means that some of the activities relating to Milestone 2 will be undertaken concurrently with those of Milestone 1.

Planned activities for the two key tasks in milestone 2 are listed below.

1. Instructor On boarding and Training (duration: 4 weeks):

• Advertise the program. (Week 3)
• Identify qualified instructors and mentors, conduct selection processes, and onboard selected instructors/mentors (Week 4-5)
• Provide training on the curriculum and teaching methodologies. (Weeks 6-8)

2. Participant Recruitment 

• Conduct participant selection process. (Weeks 5-6)
• Finalize the cohort. (Week 6)
• Communicate program details to participants. (Week 7)

Milestone 3: Program Launch and Delivery is expected to begin in month 3 of the project and end in month 5 because the delivery of the educational program component of the project will take 12 weeks to complete. At the end of month 5, the following would be completed for milestone 3.

1. Program Launch & Delivery of Educational Program

• Program Launch (week 9)
• Educational Program Delivery (months 3 – 5))
• Conduct interactive classes, workshops, and practical sessions based on the curriculum.
• Provide ongoing support and mentorship to participants.
• Evaluation and Feedback (Ongoing throughout the program):
• Regularly assess participant performance.
• Collect feedback on the curriculum and program effectiveness.
• Make necessary adjustments based on feedback.

2. Industry Collaborations and Partnerships (Ongoing from month 3 to project completion)

• Establish collaborations with industry leaders and organizations.
• Organize guest lectures and industry projects.
• Facilitate and place participants in internships with identified organizations (month 6)

 Final Milestone: Graduation and Showcase will be done in the final week of the project - week 24. Key tasks required for the achievement of this milestone are:

• Conduct a final assessment of participants.
• Organize a graduation and showcase event to present their projects and skills and celebrate their achievements.

Please note that the total number of weeks for the project is approximately 24 weeks, with certain milestones having ongoing activities throughout the program duration.

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

Afia Owusu: Project Coordinator - Active Cardano and Catalyst Community Member since Fund 6, Coordinator of Catalyst Africa Town Hall (CATH) and Catalyst Africa School. Afia has been a CA since F7 and a vCA in F8. Afia holds an MSc in Management Information Systems from the University of Lancaster, UK, and a BSC. (Hons) in Natural Resources Management, University of Science and Technology (UST), Kumasi, Ghana. Afia is a Ghanaian, currently exploring new areas of sustainable development including blockchain education. Her interest is to educate and create awareness in communities to improve livelihood options among local people. https://www.linkedin.com/in/afia-asamoa-04911816/

Ezekiel Donkor - Software Developer

Has a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology and Conservation Science from the University of Ghana. Currently works as a software developer, Loves to challenge himself to work on new emerging technologies and tools, including blockchain and web3. Currently exploring the Cardano blockchain and all the possible applications in order to build tools and products to contribute to the community at large. https://github.com/yaw595

Richmond Oppong - Marketing & Design 

A long-time member of the Cardano community and previous Community Advisor and Proposal Assessor in previous funds. He is in charge of marketing and design elements of the program. Richmond is available through telegram and can be found on the Catalyst channels.

Awura Owusu: (Recruitment and on boarding of instructors and participants and ongoing assessments of the program) Active member of Cardano Ecosystem; CA for Fund 6, 7, 8; vCA for Fund 7; PA for Fund 9; lv 0 reviewer for Fund 10 and hence has extensive knowledge about catalyst and its opportunities. Contact: awuraadwoaowusu@gmail.com, telegram @AwuraOwusu, twitter @awura_asamoa and LinkedIn @Awura Adwoa Owusu

Efua Eduafuh: (Recruitment and on boarding of instructors and participants and ongoing assessments of the program)

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

• Milestone 1: Center Establishment and Curriculum Development
• Center Set-up and Staffing: 40,000 Ada
• Includes costs for fixtures, fittings, internet, hardware, and staff hiring.
• Curriculum Development: 30,000 Ada
• Covers expenses for designing and developing the curriculum, including materials and expert consultation fees.

• Milestone 2: Instructor Onboarding and Participant Recruitment
• Instructor Onboarding and Training: 25,000 Ada
• Budget for advertising the program, selecting, and training instructors and mentors.
• Participant Recruitment: 15,000 Ada
• Involves the cost of the selection process and communication with participants

.

• Milestone 3: Program Launch and Delivery
• Program Launch and Educational Program Delivery: 50,000 Ada
• Encompasses the launch event, classes, workshops, practical sessions, mentorship, and ongoing support.
• Evaluation and Industry Collaborations: 10,000 Ada
• For regular assessments, feedback collection, collaborations with industry leaders, and organizing guest lectures.

• Milestone 4: Graduation and Showcase
• Final Assessment and Showcase Event: 10,000 Ada
• Includes costs for the final assessment of participants and organizing the graduation and showcase event.

Total Project Budget: 180,000 ADA

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

Establishing a resource center for training and education in web3 and blockchain development, empowering the Cardano community with valuable skills and knowledge.

The budget allocation covers center establishment, curriculum development, instructor on boarding, and industry collaborations, laying the foundation for sustained education, innovation, and growth within the Cardano ecosystem.

Cardano creates economic opportunities for participants, enabling them to pursue careers in the web3 and blockchain industry.

The project's cost represents a strategic investment in the advancement of the Cardano ecosystem, promoting innovation, fostering a skilled workforce, and positioning Cardano as a leading platform in the blockchain industry.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agrees to Fund Rules and also that data in the submission form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept