From Zero to AdApps

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

David Lumala

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

Individual

[GENERAL] Co proposers and Additional applicants

Kakooza Vianney . kakoozavian@gmail.com

Jjemba Emmanuel , kalibobojoshua@gmail.com

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

2

[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)

"Bridging Cardano's developer gap in Uganda—empowering local talent, fostering diversity, and strengthening global collaboration."

[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

All projects, content and artifacts generated from/during the project will be subject to open source licensing mechanisms as a way to giveback to the community and not create restrictions for people who want to build and innovate around our generated code, work or ideas.

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG goals:

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

SDG subgoals:

By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and modern techskills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

Key Performance Indicator (KPI):

The proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill including Web 3.0 development

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

Speedrun appoaches have shown success as a quick way of onboarding users and developers to varieties of new technologies. We believe that this 8 week ignite can transform the young techsters to start their web 3.0 develpment journey with Cardano, planning to do the speedrun with close to 100 developers, its ultimately possible to have an output of over 50 qua;ified individuals who can then be used as trainers. The scope is from the beginnings of 1st geeration blockchains up-to where we are with cardano. We expound the rationale in the breakdown below:-

Solution Breakdown:

• Issue: Insufficient Cardano developers in Uganda hinder ecosystem growth and global inclusivity.
• Reasoning: Lack of skilled local talent limits Cardano's impact and community diversity.
• Approach: A targeted training program addresses this gap, empowering Ugandan developers.
• Audience: Aspiring and existing developers in Uganda with an interest in blockchain and Cardano.
• Inclusivity: Broad engagement to include individuals from diverse backgrounds and skill levels.
• Metrics: We will assess the number of participants, successful project contributions, and sustained community involvement.
• Feedback Mechanisms: we shall gather testimonials, track participants' ongoing contributions, and measure the growth of Cardano projects in Uganda.
• Empowerment: Local talent gains skills, fostering economic and technological empowerment.
• Diversity: Inclusivity enhances global collaboration, bringing unique perspectives to Cardano.
• Sustainability: Trained developers become a valuable resource, contributing to Cardano's long-term success.
• Global Expansion: Empowering developers globally strengthens Cardano's presence and adoption.
• Innovation: Diverse perspectives fuel innovation, ensuring Cardano remains at the forefront of blockchain technology.

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

• The training program introduces a new cohort of developers to the Cardano ecosystem, expanding the global developer community. This growth can lead to increased collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing within the Cardano community.
• By conducting the program in Uganda, the project promotes diversity within the Cardano community. It provides opportunities for developers from different backgrounds and regions to contribute their unique perspectives and skills to the ecosystem, fostering a more inclusive environment.
• The training equips participants with the skills and expertise needed to develop decentralized applications on the Cardano platform. As these developers gain proficiency, they contribute to the overall talent pool available to work on Cardano projects, enhancing the ecosystem's technical capabilities.
• Trained developers are likely to create projects and applications on the Cardano blockchain, leading to increased adoption of Cardano technology. This can result in a broader range of decentralized applications and smart contracts, further validating and strengthening the Cardano network.
• Empowered with knowledge and skills, participants may initiate innovative projects and contribute to the development of impactful decentralized applications. This fosters a culture of innovation within the Cardano community, attracting more attention and interest from developers globally.
• The training program facilitates networking opportunities among participants, mentors, and other stakeholders. This collaboration can lead to the formation of developer communities, forums, and collaborative projects, enhancing the overall sense of community within the Cardano ecosystem.
• The success stories of program graduates, particularly those who develop and deploy successful Cardano dapps, serve as positive examples within the community. These success stories can inspire and attract more developers to engage with the Cardano platform.
• A well-executed training program in Uganda reflects positively on the Cardano ecosystem's commitment to global inclusivity and education. This can enhance Cardano's reputation as a platform that invests in the development and education of a diverse and skilled developer community.
• The emphasis on post-training support, mentorship, and job opportunities creates a retention cover for the entire 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?

Assessment of Skills and Experience:

• Self-Assessment: I as an individual have a 4 year experience(2 fully in cardano) in web 3.0 development, especially within the Cardano ecosystem or similar blockchain platforms. Equally so , my team members have been growing into the ecosystem for the past year and thus hold a great understanding of how to run and manage such a project.
• Past Projects: I have a track record in delivering successful projects, particularly those involving education and training initiatives. a good example here is adafro labs (www.adafrolabs.com) . I also host the annual blockchain developer festival in Kampala (www.devfestkampala.com)

Knowledge of Cardano Ecosystem:

• Understanding of Cardano: We have a deep understanding of the Cardano ecosystem, including its architecture, development tools, and best practices. We also stay abreast of the latest developments in the Cardano space, as the blockchain industry is dynamic and subject to rapid changes.

Curriculum Development:

• Relevant Expertise: I bear expertise in curriculum development, specifically in designing programs that cater to the needs of participants in Uganda as evidenced with the curriculum i drafted for Makerere University, a popular institution in the region.
• Incorporate Industry Standards: We are ensuring that our curriculum aligns with industry standards and is tailored to the skill levels and requirements of the target audience.

Program Execution:

• Organizational and Leadership Skills: We have a demonstrated ability to organize and lead a training program, managing resources, timelines, running hackathons and potential challenges effectively as seen with previous workshops and the devfest(devfestkampala.com), as am also organizing the fall of the year BuidlerThon (www.buidlers.cc)
• Effective Communication: I have strong communication skills to convey complex concepts clearly and facilitate a positive learning environment as seen from previous workshops and my linkedin posts

Community Engagement:

• Established Connections: we collectively as a team are leveraging our existing network and connections within the Cardano community to enhance the program's reach and impact.
• Feedback Mechanisms: As a team we will implement robust feedback mechanisms to continuously improve the training program based on the needs and expectations of participants.

Project Management:

• Risk Management: The team is working on identifying potential risks and challenges that may arise during the project and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Resource Planning: Down in the funds breakdown , we have a indicated a well-defined plan for utilizing the allocated budget efficiently.

Measuring Impact:

• Define Metrics: Metrics to measure the success of the training program, such as participant feedback, project completion rates, and community contributions have been planned to best fulfill the intent of the project.
• Continuous Evaluation: The team will implement a system for ongoing evaluation to make real-time adjustments and improvements.

Sustainability:

• Long-Term Vision: This approach includes considerations for the long-term impact of the training program on the Cardano ecosystem in Uganda.
• Community Empowerment: My work always focuses on empowering participants to continue contributing to the Cardano community beyond the training program.

Collaboration and Partnerships:

• Partnership Building: Our team will reach out for opportunities for collaboration with local organizations, educational institutions, or other entities to enhance the program's reach and effectiveness. In addition we will leverage our existing professional relationships to garner support for the project.

Continuous Learning:

• Adaptability: Given the dynamic nature of blockchain and web 3.0 technologies, we are always open and eager to learn and keep pace with the latest trends.

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

Curriculum Development and Approval:

• Objective: Develop a comprehensive and Cardano-aligned curriculum for the dapp developer training program.

Activities:

• Engage experienced Cardano developers and educators to design the curriculum.
• Conduct a thorough review and validation process to ensure the curriculum meets industry standards and is suitable for the target audience.
• Obtain partnerships and endorsement from Cardano ecosystem stakeholders or relevant tech players.
• Completion Criteria: Approved and finalized curriculum ready for implementation.

Successful Completion of the Training Program:

• Objective: Execute and complete the 8-week dapp developer training program in Uganda.

Activities:

• Conduct training sessions, workshops, and practical exercises as outlined in the curriculum.
• Provide ongoing support and mentorship to participants.
• Administer assessments to evaluate participants' understanding and proficiency in Cardano development.
• Completion Criteria: All scheduled training sessions successfully completed, and participants demonstrate proficiency in Cardano dapp development concepts

Post-Training Community Contributions:

• Objective: Measure the impact of the training program by tracking participants' contributions to the Cardano ecosystem post-training.

Activities:

• Encourage and support participants in initiating and completing Cardano dapp development projects.
• Establish a platform for participants to showcase their projects and share insights with the community.
• Monitor and document the number of projects developed by participants that contribute to the Cardano ecosystem.
• Completion Criteria: A significant number of successful Cardano dapp development projects initiated and completed by program participants, with measurable contributions to the Cardano community.

1. Comprehensive Curriculum: Develop a detailed and comprehensive curriculum for the 8-week Cardano dapp developer training program. The curriculum should cover key Cardano development concepts, programming languages, smart contract development, and practical application through hands-on projects.
2. Engagement with Stakeholders: Collaborate with experienced Cardano developers, educators, and relevant stakeholders to review and refine the curriculum. Seek feedback to ensure that the content is accurate, relevant, and aligned with industry best practices.
3. Endorsement and Approval: Obtain official endorsement and approval from recognized Cardano ecosystem stakeholders or relevant authorities. This endorsement confirms that the curriculum meets the standards and expectations of the Cardano community.

Acceptance Criteria:

1. Curriculum Completeness: The curriculum is comprehensive, covering fundamental and advanced topics in Cardano dapp development. It includes theoretical concepts, practical examples, and hands-on exercises.
2. Stakeholder Feedback: Feedback from experienced Cardano developers and educators is positive, indicating that the curriculum is well-structured, relevant, and conducive to effective learning.
3. Endorsement and Approval: The curriculum receives official endorsement and approval from recognized Cardano ecosystem stakeholders or relevant authorities. Documentation of the approval and endorsement is provided.
4. Alignment with Cardano Standards: The curriculum aligns with the latest Cardano development standards, ensuring that participants are equipped with the skills needed for current industry practices.

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

David Lumala.

Eng.David Lumala as popularly known is a Ugandan Blockchain software Architect and Engineer , Tech Event Speaker and organiser. He is equipped with over 4 years of active web 3.0 experience across a wide variety of chains and protocols . He is a DeFi guru and crypto luminary, an avid educator with a keen eye on the cardano Web 3.0 vision. He is active on many major Web 3.0 Social forums and previously a developer advocate who did great work in training and inspiring web 3.0 developers across several african Countries including Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia ,Tanzania and his native Uganda. He is so bullish on the cardano ecosystem and he will be the main trainer in the course of this program. He is a consultant for many public and private corporate entities in the region on blockchain and other 4IR technologies. He holds an immensely huge linkedIn following at https://www.linkedin.com/in/eng-david-lumala-2aa6a2167/ and can be reached out on telegram @DLumala , github at github.com/RealLumala and twitter @Realdavidlumala . He is the organizer of the annual Blockchain developer festival in the East African Region (www.devfestkampala.com) which is the biggest Web 3.0 developers event in the region.

Kakooza Vianney (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vianney-kakooza-b30691182/)

Vianney is an active young and talented Web 3.0 Engineer and developer advocate. He has done immense work on distributed systems, DLT research for many public and corporate organizations both in the public and private domains. he has in the past worked with other blockchains including Ethereum ,Lisk and now cardano. His experience will be of great purpose in training devs fro the grassroot of distributed systems and networks upto the modern wave of third gen blockchains.

Jjemba Emmanuel.

A budding AI nerd and Web 3.0 developer , Jjemba boasts of impeccable skills in Developer relations,advocacy and community management. With his unequalled person to person skills, he will be charged with all coordination activities for the entire period, managing students and attendees onsite affairs, dealing with online publicity and also maintaining an ever-present assistance to all the devs while acting as a link to the core team and the devs. His Telegram is @jjembaE

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

Note: Dollar denominations are used totaling to 40,547 Ada ($15000) at $0.37 per ADA

Instructor Fees: 8109 Ada

-        Payment of the team of instructors.

Training Resources: 5406 Ada

-        To develop comprehensive training materials, presentations, and documentation for the participants.

-        Invest in online courses, tutorials, and resources related to Cardano development.

Venue and Facilities: 5406 Ada

-        For the in-person training sessions, we have allocated funds for renting a suitable venue and necessary facilities like seating, projectors, and whiteboards.

-        All amenities for the IRL presence.

Technology Infrastructure: 4055 Ada

-        Set up virtual training platforms, video conferencing tools, and collaborative software to facilitate remote training.

-        Ensure stable internet connections and equipment for both trainers and participants for the entire .

Marketing and Outreach: 4055 Ada

-        For promoting the training program, including creating promotional materials, online advertisements, and social media campaigns.

Participant Support: 4055 Ada

-        We plan to provide support for participants who might have questions or need clarifications outside of training hours.

-        We shall offer resources like forums or chat groups for collaboration and troubleshooting with full time technical presence and activity.

Certificates and Rewards:5406 Ada

-        Creating certificates of completion for participants who successfully finish the training program.

-        We will give out rewards or incentives for top-performing participants to encourage engagement.

Miscellaneous Expenses: 4055 Ada

-        For any unexpected expenses or small incident that might arise during the training period.

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

• We are working on a well-structured and comprehensive curriculum ensures that participants gain valuable skills pertinent and relevant to the Cardano ecosystem.
• We want to start with 50-100 developers in order to study how the cohort can be well run and also maintain manageable numbers for effectiveness.
• The training enhances the skills of participants, contributing to the growth of Cardano's developer community.
• The skills acquired by participants contribute to the long-term growth and sustainability of the Cardano ecosystem in Uganda.
• We will ensure that resources are used efficiently as stipulated in the budget.
• We believe that on comparing the project's budget with similar training programs , the costs are reasonable and in line with industry standards.
• We want to have as many trainees and keep track of crucial metrics such as the number of successful projects developed by participants, post-training contributions to the Cardano ecosystem, and community engagement.
• We plan to collect feedback from participants regarding the quality of the training, materials, and overall experience.
• We will implement an evaluation mechanism to assess the effectiveness of the training in the months following its completion.
• The program is designed to be hybrid to allow inclusivity, ensuring that it reaches a diverse group of participants and fosters a sense of community.
• We will forge partnerships or collaborations that enhance the project's reach and impact.
• The project will provide regular updates and transparent reporting on its progress, challenges, and outcomes.
• By being open to all interested buidlers in the region, the project contributes to the broader mission and growth of the Cardano ecosystem, both globally and in the specific region.

[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