Catalyst Improvement Workshop and improvement recommendations

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

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

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

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

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

By compiling historical data and community feedback and working with this data and new ideas in a workshop environment, we will be able to deliver viable community recommendations.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

[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?

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

All data will be shared publicly, and all multimedia material will be shared on free, open platforms.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

We aim to amplify community impact on the evolution of Catalyst, focusing on engaging and empowering voices often unheard in the governance process. Our approach is two-fold:

Facilitating Active Participation in Workshops:

We will host an interactive workshop designed to be accessible and engaging for the community. This workshop is a platform for community members to express ideas, concerns, and visions for the future of Catalyst.

By actively participating in the workshop, community members can directly influence the discussion and contribute to shaping the direction of Catalyst.

We will also host a social gathering open for the entire Cardano Community to attend, focusing on creating an atmosphere where community members can interact and connect in a less structured setting.

Enabling a broader inclusion through a travel fund:

We recognise that financial constraints can be a barrier to participation, and would allocate a travel fund specifically for those who wish to attend but lack the means.

This aims to democratise access, ensuring that a diverse range of community members, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised groups, can attend, contribute, and have their voices heard. The application process for the travel fund will be fair, transparent, and designed to maximise inclusivity.

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

By participating in the improvement of Catalyst, the Cardano community will be able to better utilise it, resulting in increased activity and increased number of proposals in future funding rounds. As well as encourage the community in participating in the further development of Catalyst.

The proposal aims to empower the Cardano community, and increase the perceived community agency, a surge in innovative proposals, more decentralised and diverse environment in future funding rounds

[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 is composed of people with heavy interest in the Cardano community, who have well established communities around them. Together we have experience in leadership, community building, event planning and hosting, as well as technical insight and experience from previous Catalyst rounds. 

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

Objective: To lay the foundational groundwork for effective community engagement by collecting and analyzing past data, and preparing comprehensively for the workshop.

Tasks

Data Collection and Initial Report (v0.1):

• Collect and analyze data from previous funding rounds and community feedback.
• Compile findings into an initial working document (Report v0.1).

Workshop Documentation:

• Develop a detailed workshop agenda focusing on community engagement and governance participation.
• Prepare and publish a budget, including a fair and transparent invite procedure.
• Establish a travel fund allocation plan and qualification criteria.

Milestone deadline: End of March 2024

Objective: To host an inclusive workshop that fosters community participation, and to gather and integrate feedback into an evolved report.

Tasks

Hosting the Workshop:

• Organise and conduct a meetup, open to all, focusing on engaging the community in governance.
• Facilitate discussions and activities during the workshop.

Content Creation and Feedback Integration:

• Record and process multimedia content from the workshop for public dissemination.
• Collect feedback from social media, forums, and other relevant sources post-workshop.
• Update the working document with the new data, adding it to Report version 1.

Milestone deadline: End of June 2024

Objective: To finalize and publish a comprehensive report that encapsulates community insights and to promote these findings through various channels.

Tasks:

Finalising and Publishing Report (v2.0):

• Refine and finalize the report, incorporating all feedback and data.
• Publish the final report (Version 2.0) to the community.

Marketing and Outreach:

• Participate in Spaces, YouTube shows, interviews, etc., to market and discuss the report findings.
• Engage with the community through these channels to further promote governance participation.

Milestone deadline: End of July 2024

Objective: To provide a comprehensive overview of the project's achievements and learnings.

Tasks:

Final Project Report:

• Compile a detailed project completion report, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and learnings.

Project Completion Video:

• Produce a video summarising the project's journey, its impact on community engagement, and future recommendations.

Milestone deadline: End of August 2024

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

Thomas Lindseth - Community-focused Cardano ambassador, co-founder of the Nordic Cardano Community (NADA), co-founder of Krypto Labs, three time Cardano Summit Community-led Event host, has also hosted several workshops and meetups for the community. 

Roles:

Workshop planning and coordination

Catalyst team liaison

Lara Morgan: Clay Nation Community Manager. Specialising in engaging marginalised communities, and background in business, health and wellbeing. Experienced in hosting a range of community events. Committed to leveraging blockchain for creating a positive social impact.

Roles:

Workshop and event logistics, including venue selection, catering, and attendee management

Communications, including email campaigns, social media promotion

Chris Warren - Joint operator of Upstream; a community focused, UK based SPO.

Two time hosts of the London Cardano Summit Community-led Event, London CIP-1694 Workshop and the ongoing London Cardano Socials.

Roles:

Audio and video production, including recording, editing, and post-production

Eystein Magnus Hansen - Co-founder of the Nordic Cardano Community (NADA), CEO of North Block AS, Intersect Civics committee member, Co-Host of DRep workshop as well as CIP 1694 workshop, SPO of Ada North Pool owned by Norwegian Block Exchange. Presenter, panel debater, and panel leader on multiple Cardano summits and community events. Maven Cardano Ambassador. 

Roles:

Workshop host, facilitating discussions and ensuring a dynamic learning environment

Documentation creation

Beatrice Anihiri - Founder of KryptoGirls, a community for women to enter the blockchain space, founder of KonsenSis, a Cardano focused group under the KryptoGirls Umbrella.

Hosted the inaugural KryptoGirls meetup april 2022 and hosted an all-women warmup event as part of Cardano Summit Community-led Event in Oslo November 2022.

Roles:

Communications and marketing strategies to promote the workshop and maximise attendance

Creation of engaging content, such as blog posts, social media graphics, and presentations

While each team member has specific responsibilities, we work closely together to support one another and ensure the overall success of the project. Our collaborative approach ensures that every detail is considered and that the outcome meets the expected standards.

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

Total budget: 120 000 ADA

Team compensation: 50 000 ADA

Travel fund for attendees: 30 000 ADA

Venue, food and merch: 20 000 ADA

Audio/video production: 5 000 ADA

Travel budget for hosts : 10 000 ADA

Contingency fund: 5 000 ADA

In the event that any ADA should be left after completing the project, 50% of the remaining value will be donated equally between UNHCR and Women in Blockchain and the remaining 50% will be shared equally between the team.

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

Driving Adoption and Innovation: Encourages broader participation in Catalyst, sparking innovation and increasing adoption of the Cardano blockchain.

Enhances Catalyst Effectiveness: Streamlines Catalyst, making it more efficient and user-friendly, leading to faster, more impactful decision-making

Inclusivity and Community Engagement: Focus on involving underrepresented groups, enriching the governance process with diverse perspectives and strengthening community bonds.

Enhanced Feedback and Responsiveness: Integrates genuine community feedback into Catalyst, meaning a more adaptive and responsive governance model.

Educational Outreach: Increases awareness and understanding of Cardano's governance among community members, which would lead to more informed and constructive participation.

Awareness: Share media content and raise awareness about the Catalyst treasury program through the workshop and its generated material.

[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.