Amharic UI for Project Catalyst (Ethiopia)

[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] Co-proposers and additional applicants

1.Maikel Junior

[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)

Developing a user-friendly Amharic interface for the Project Catalyst platform, enabling Ethiopians to easily participate in Cardano governance and unlock Cardano's potential in their native language.

[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

Our project, "Amharic UI for Project Catalyst (Ethiopia)," will be fully open-source, adhering to the "Cardano Open: Developers (technical)" category requirements. Here's a breakdown of the open-source details:

• Open Source License: We intend to use the Apache License 2.0 (or a similar permissive license approved by the Cardano Foundation) for the Amharic user interface code. This allows for broad distribution, modification, and commercial use while protecting the original creators.
• Open Source Repository: The source code for the Amharic user interface will be hosted on a public platform like GitHub throughout the project lifecycle. This ensures transparency, fosters collaboration, and facilitates ongoing maintenance and improvement by the community.
• Open Source Documentation: In addition to the code, we will provide high-quality, open-source documentation for the user interface. This documentation will be available in Amharic and English, serving as a valuable resource for developers and the Ethiopian community.

By making our project fully open-source, we contribute to the Cardano developer ecosystem and empower the Ethiopian community to participate in its growth.

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By increasing access to Cardano and its development tools in Ethiopia, our project could foster new job opportunities and economic growth in the tech sector.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Our project contributes to innovation in financial technology (FinTech) by making Cardano more accessible in Ethiopia.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Increasing financial inclusion through Cardano adoption in Ethiopia could help reduce economic inequalities.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Proposed Solution: Amharic User Interface for Project Catalyst

Problem: Limited Cardano adoption in Ethiopia due to the language barrier. The current lack of an Amharic interface for the Project Catalyst platform hinders user participation and engagement from the Ethiopian community.

Solution: We propose developing a user-friendly Amharic interface for the Project Catalyst platform.

This interface will:

• Translate all platform elements: This includes menus, buttons, labels, instructions, and other user interface elements into clear and concise Amharic.
• Adapt to local context: We will consider cultural nuances and terminology to ensure the interface resonates with Ethiopian users.
• Provide a seamless user experience: The interface will be intuitive and easy to navigate, even for users with limited technical experience.

Benefits:

• Increased Cardano Adoption in Ethiopia: An Amharic interface will empower Ethiopians to participate in Cardano governance through Project Catalyst. This can lead to a wider user base and a more diverse Cardano ecosystem.
• Enhanced Financial Inclusion: By making Cardano more accessible, our project can contribute to financial inclusion in Ethiopia, particularly for unbanked or underbanked populations.
• Community Building: An open-source Amharic interface fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing within the Ethiopian developer community.

Why it's important to Cardano:

• Global Expansion: Cardano aspires to be a global platform. Our project supports this goal by making Cardano more accessible in Ethiopia, a nation with significant economic and technological potential.
• Community Engagement: A broader user base strengthens the Cardano ecosystem. By enabling Ethiopian participation, our project contributes to a more vibrant and inclusive Cardano community.

Project Approach:

1. User Research: We will conduct user research to understand the needs and preferences of Ethiopian Cardano users. This will inform the design and functionality of the Amharic interface.
2. Interface Development: Our team of experienced developers will build the Amharic interface using open-source tools and technologies.
3. Testing and Refinement: The interface will undergo thorough testing to ensure usability and functionality. We will incorporate user feedback throughout the development process.
4. Open-Source Release: The completed Amharic interface and its source code will be released under an open-source license, promoting collaboration and ongoing improvement.

This project offers a unique and impactful solution to the challenge of limited Cardano adoption in Ethiopia. By providing an Amharic interface for Project Catalyst, we empower the Ethiopian community to participate in Cardano's growth and contribute to a more inclusive financial future.

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

Positive Impact on the Cardano Community

Increased User Adoption in Ethiopia:

• Metric: Track the number of new Ethiopian users registering on the Project Catalyst platform after the Amharic interface launch.
• Metric: Monitor engagement metrics like proposals submitted and votes cast by Ethiopian users.

Enhanced Financial Inclusion:

• Metric: Partner with local organizations to assess how Cardano adoption, facilitated by the Amharic interface, impacts access to financial services in Ethiopia (qualitative data).

Community Building and Collaboration:

• Metric: Track the number of downloads and contributions to the open-source Amharic interface repository on GitHub.
• Metric: Organize workshops and online forums to encourage knowledge sharing among Ethiopian Cardano developers (qualitative data).

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• We will publicly share the Amharic user interface and its source code on a platform like GitHub.
• We will create a comprehensive user guide for the Amharic interface, available in Amharic and English.
• We will collaborate with the Cardano Foundation and Ethiopian developer communities to promote the Amharic interface and its benefits.
• We will present our project findings and impact data at relevant Cardano conferences and meetups.

By implementing these measurement strategies and sharing our outputs openly, we can demonstrate the positive impact of our project on the wider Cardano community. This impact will be evident in:

• A more diverse and engaged user base: The Amharic interface will attract new users from Ethiopia, enriching the Cardano ecosystem with fresh perspectives and ideas.
• A stronger financial infrastructure: Increased Cardano adoption in Ethiopia can empower individuals and businesses, fostering financial inclusion and economic growth.
• A vibrant developer community: The open-source nature of our project will encourage collaboration among Ethiopian developers, leading to further innovation within the Cardano ecosystem.

Overall, our project contributes to Cardano's global expansion and strengthens its foundation as a platform for positive change.

[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?

Capability & Feasibility: Delivering Trust and Accountability

Team Expertise:

• Our team consists of experienced developers with a strong understanding of user interface design, Cardano development tools, and open-source best practices.
• We possess fluency in Amharic and English, ensuring accurate translation and cultural adaptation within the interface.

Feasibility Validation:

• Technical Feasibility: We will conduct a thorough technical assessment to confirm the feasibility of integrating the Amharic interface with the Project Catalyst platform.
• User Research: As mentioned earlier, we will gather user feedback through surveys and interviews to validate our design approach and ensure the interface meets the needs of Ethiopian users.

Trust and Accountability:

• Transparent Communication: We will maintain open communication channels with the Cardano community throughout the project lifecycle. This includes regular progress reports and updates.
• Open-Source Development: By developing the interface openly on GitHub, the community can monitor progress and contribute to its ongoing improvement.
• Community Engagement: We will actively engage with the Ethiopian developer community, seeking their feedback and encouraging collaboration.

Project Management:

• We will utilize established project management tools and methodologies to ensure efficient resource allocation and timely completion.
• Regular team meetings will be held to track progress, identify challenges, and implement solutions collaboratively.
• We will appoint a dedicated project lead responsible for overseeing all project activities and financial management.

Financial Management:

• We will establish a clear financial management system to track all project expenses and ensure funds are used solely for the intended purposes.
• We will maintain detailed financial records for audit purposes.
• Any unspent funds will be returned to the Cardano community treasury upon project completion.

By demonstrating these capabilities and commitment to transparent communication, we aim to build trust with the Cardano community and ensure the project is delivered with high levels of accountability.

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

User Research and Interface Design (Month 1)

Milestone Outputs:

User research report:

• This report will summarize the findings from our user research on Ethiopian user needs and preferences for the Amharic interface of the Project Catalyst platform.
• The report will be presented in a clear and concise format, targeting both technical and non-technical audiences.
• It will identify key user personas representing different user segments within the Ethiopian Cardano community.
• The report will outline user needs, expectations, and pain points related to using the Project Catalyst platform in English.
• Based on the user research, the report will provide specific recommendations for the design and functionality of the Amharic interface, including:User interface layout and navigation preferences.
• Wording and terminology that resonates with the Ethiopian cultural context.
• Accessibility considerations for users with disabilities.

Functional Prototype of Amharic User Interface (2 months)

Milestone Outputs:

• Functional prototype of the Amharic user interface for the Project Catalyst platform.
• The prototype will be a basic, interactive version of the Amharic interface showcasing core functionalities.
• Users should be able to navigate through the main sections of the Project Catalyst platform using the Amharic interface.
• Key elements such as menus, buttons, and labels will be translated into clear and concise Amharic.
• The prototype will demonstrate basic information display functionalities, ensuring users can access essential details about proposals, voting options, and platform features in Amharic.

Beta Version of Amharic User Interface (2 month)

Milestone Outputs:

• Beta version of the Amharic user interface for the Project Catalyst platform.
• The beta version will be a feature-complete version of the Amharic interface, incorporating user feedback from the previous milestone's prototype.
• All core functionalities of the Project Catalyst platform, such as proposal browsing, voting, and user profile management, will be accessible and functional in Amharic.
• The interface will undergo thorough internal testing to ensure:Functionality across different devices and browsers.
• User interface responsiveness and smooth navigation.
• Absence of critical bugs or errors that hinder user experience.

Final Amharic User Interface and User Documentation (2 Months)

Milestone Outputs:

• Final, polished Amharic user interface for the Project Catalyst platform.
• Comprehensive user documentation for the Amharic interface, available in both Amharic and English.
• Final Amharic User Interface:The final interface will be thoroughly tested to ensure all functionalities work seamlessly and no critical bugs or errors hinder user experience.
• The interface will be visually polished and adhere to best practices for user interface design and accessibility.
• The Amharic language translation will be accurate, grammatically correct, and culturally appropriate for the Ethiopian audience.
• User Documentation:The user documentation will provide clear and step-by-step instructions on using the Amharic interface for various Project Catalyst platform functionalities.
• The documentation will be available in both Amharic and English, catering to users with different language preferences.
• The documentation will be easy to understand, even for users with limited technical experience.

Project Close-Out and Open-Source Release (1 Month)

Milestone Outputs:

• Project close-out report
• Open-source repository link for the Amharic user interface codebase

Project Close-Out Report:

• The report will provide a comprehensive overview of the project's execution, including:A timeline of key milestones achieved.
• A detailed breakdown of budget expenditure and how allocated funds were used.
• A summary of challenges encountered and lessons learned during the project.
• The report will also present the project's impact assessment data, outlining:Metrics demonstrating increased user engagement from Ethiopia after the Amharic interface launch (e.g., number of new users, proposal submissions, voting participation).
• Qualitative data (if applicable) on how the project contributes to financial inclusion or community building within Ethiopia.
• Open-Source Repository:
• The complete codebase for the Amharic user interface will be publicly accessible on a reputable open-source platform like GitHub.
• The repository will include clear documentation outlining the code structure, dependencies, and installation instructions.
• The repository will be licensed under an open-source license approved by the Cardano Foundation (e.g., Apache License 2.0), encouraging community contributions and ongoing development.

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

Project Team

We have assembled a team with the necessary skills and experience to successfully deliver this project. Here's a breakdown of our core team members:

• Naol Duga:(Project Lead) - I will oversee all project aspects, including communication with stakeholders, budget management, and ensuring deliverables are met according to the proposed timeline.

- Git hub:https://github.com/naolduga

• Yodahe :(UI/UX Designer) - He will be responsible for designing a user-friendly and culturally appropriate Amharic interface for the Project Catalyst platform.

-LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yodahe-ketema-08310a208

• Gemechis :(Full-Stack Developer) - He will develop the Amharic user interface codebase, ensuring seamless integration with the Project Catalyst platform.

-LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/gemechis-elias

-Git hub:https://github.com/gemechis-elias

-Company Profile: horansoftware.com/

-Portfolio:https://www.gemechis.dev

• Maikel Junior :(Blockchain Developer) - He will be responsible for assist and giving advise development team.

-LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/maikel-ordaz

-Project Link:https://takadao.io

• Mussie :(Amharic Translator and Community Liaison) - He will provide accurate Amharic translations for the interface and user documentation.Additionally,he will serve as a liaison with the Ethiopian Cardano community, gathering user feedback and promoting project adoption.

-LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/mussie-b-a16b661b5

Additional Team Members:

• We are considering recruiting a QA Tester with experience in Cardano development to assist with thorough testing of the Amharic user interface.

Communication and Engagement:

We have established clear communication channels within our team and plan to leverage online communities like the Cardano forums to connect with Ethiopian developers and potential translators. We will also seek partnerships with relevant organizations in Ethiopia's tech sector to broaden outreach and ensure the project aligns with community needs.

Transparency and Proof of Life:

We understand the importance of transparency and are prepared to provide any necessary information to verify our team's identities and qualifications. We will obtain consent from all team members before including their details in the proposal.

By bringing together this team of experienced professionals, we are confident in our ability to deliver a high-quality Amharic user interface that empowers the Ethiopian Cardano community and contributes to the platform's global growth.

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

We have carefully considered the resources required to deliver this project and propose the following budget breakdown:

Personnel Costs (₳120,000):

• Project Lead: (Month 1-8) - Management, communication, and budget oversight (₳5,000/month)
• UI/UX Designer: (Month 2-5) - Designing the Amharic user interface (₳4,000/month)
• Full-Stack Developer: (Month 3-7) - Developing the Amharic user interface codebase (₳6,000/month)
• Amharic Translator & Community Liaison: (Month 1-7) - Translations, user research, and community engagement (₳4,000/month)

QA Testing (₳20,000):

• We plan to recruit a Cardano development experienced QA Tester (Month 5-6) to conduct thorough testing of the Amharic user interface (₳10,000/month). This cost may be adjusted depending on the final scope of testing required.

Software and Tools (₳10,000):

• We will allocate funds for design software, project management tools, and potentially cloud-based testing platforms (estimated cost: ₳10,000).

Community Engagement & Outreach (₳20,000):

• We will allocate funds for online surveys, potential travel to connect with Ethiopian developer communities (depending on feasibility and COVID-19 restrictions), and online advertising to promote the project within the Cardano community (estimated cost: ₳20,000).

Open-Source Repository & Documentation Hosting (₳5,000):

• We will utilize a reputable open-source platform like GitHub to house the Amharic user interface codebase and user documentation. We have budgeted ₳5,000 for potential platform fees or service costs associated with open-source repository management.

Project Management & Reporting (₳25,000):

• This allocation covers administrative tasks, report generation (including the final close-out report), and communication with the Cardano community throughout the project lifecycle (estimated cost: ₳25,000).

(We have included a contingency buffer of ₳10,000 to address unforeseen circumstances or minor cost adjustments that may arise during project execution.)

Total Requested Funding: ₳200,000

Transparency and Cost Management:

We are committed to responsible financial management. We will maintain detailed records of all project expenditures and provide transparent reports to the Cardano community. Unutilized funds will be returned to the Cardano treasury upon project completion.

Total Estimated Project Cost: 200,000 ADA

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

Value for Money: Investing in Cardano's Global Growth

The requested budget of ₳200,000 represents a sound investment in Cardano's global expansion and fosters long-term value for the ecosystem. Here's how:

Unlocking Ethiopian Potential:

• By creating an Amharic user interface, we remove the language barrier and empower a vast Ethiopian demographic to participate in Cardano governance through Project Catalyst. This broader user base strengthens the Cardano community and injects fresh perspectives into the ecosystem.

Cost Justification:

• Our personnel costs are based on competitive rates for experienced professionals in the Cardano development and design fields. We have considered the project scope and the expertise required to deliver high-quality results.
• The budget for software and tools reflects the industry-standard costs for design and project management applications. For QA testing, the allocated amount ensures a comprehensive testing process but can be adjusted based on the final testing needs.
• Community engagement and outreach are crucial for project adoption. The allocated budget allows us to connect with the Ethiopian developer community effectively and raise awareness within the broader Cardano ecosystem.

Long-Term Benefits:

• The open-source nature of the Amharic user interface ensures its ongoing maintenance and potential future development by the Cardano community. This eliminates the need for recurring costs associated with proprietary software.
• Increased Cardano adoption in Ethiopia can lead to a more robust financial infrastructure, potentially attracting further investment and economic growth within the region. This aligns with Cardano's goals of financial inclusion and global impact.

Transparency and Efficiency:

• We are committed to transparent financial management. Regular reports will detail project expenditures, and any unspent funds will be returned to the Cardano treasury.
• Our team consists of experienced professionals who will ensure efficient project execution and deliver high-quality outputs within the proposed budget.

Sustainable Growth:

The value proposition of this project extends beyond the immediate delivery of the Amharic user interface. It fosters a foundation for sustainable Cardano growth in Ethiopia, attracting new users, developers, and potential investment opportunities. By making this strategic investment, the Cardano community gains a wider user base, a more diverse talent pool, and a stronger presence in a promising global market.