Cardano Developer Grants Initiative: Empowering Innovation and Growth

[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)

We will align funding requests with Catalyst limits, ensuring efficient resource distribution and project viability.

[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

[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 outputs will be fully open source throughout the entire lifecycle. We plan to use the MIT License for our open-source codebase. All code, documentation, and other project resources will be publicly available in a dedicated GitHub repository. This commitment to open source ensures transparency, fosters collaboration, and encourages community involvement in the development process.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution aims to address the inefficiencies in funding requests within the Cardano Catalyst program. Currently, proposals often either exceed or fall short of the specified funding limits for each category, leading to suboptimal resource allocation and hindering project viability. This issue stems from a lack of clarity and guidance regarding funding requests, resulting in proposals that do not align with the available resources.

To tackle this problem, we propose to implement clear guidelines for funding requests within the Catalyst program. By defining minimum and maximum funding limits for each proposal category and providing guidance on aligning funding requests with these limits, we aim to ensure fair, transparent, and efficient distribution of resources to support developer initiatives.

Our approach prioritizes transparency, fairness, and accountability in the funding allocation process. By setting clear expectations for proposers and standardizing funding requests according to the established limits, we can streamline the proposal review process and enable more effective decision-making by Catalyst program administrators and community reviewers.

Our solution will engage proposers submitting proposals to the Cardano Catalyst program, as well as the broader Cardano community involved in reviewing and voting on proposals. Through clear communication of the funding guidelines and support resources, we aim to empower proposers to develop realistic and effective funding requests that align with the goals and priorities of the Catalyst program.

We will demonstrate the impact of our solution by tracking the adherence of proposals to the specified funding limits and assessing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of resource allocation within the Catalyst program. By promoting responsible budgeting and optimizing the utilization of Catalyst funds, we expect to see improved project viability and increased innovation within the Cardano ecosystem.

What sets our solution apart is its focus on providing clear guidance and support to proposers throughout the funding request process. By empowering proposers to develop well-informed and realistic proposals, we can ensure that Catalyst funds are allocated to projects with the greatest potential for impact and value creation. Ultimately, our solution will benefit the entire Cardano community by driving the growth and success of the ecosystem, advancing the mission of Cardano as a decentralized and inclusive financial platform for all.

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

The success of our project will bring several positive impacts to the wider Cardano community:

1. Improved Resource Allocation: By aligning funding requests with the specified limits, our project will ensure that Catalyst funds are distributed more efficiently and equitably among projects. This will maximize the impact of the allocated resources and support the development of high-quality projects that contribute to the growth and success of the Cardano ecosystem.
2. Increased Project Viability: Clear guidance on funding requests will help proposers develop realistic and well-informed proposals, increasing the likelihood of project success and sustainability. This will foster a more robust and vibrant developer community within Cardano, driving innovation and creativity across the ecosystem.
3. Enhanced Community Engagement: Our project will empower proposers to actively participate in the Catalyst program by providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to develop compelling funding requests. This will encourage broader community involvement in the review and selection process, fostering collaboration and collective decision-making within the Cardano community.
4. Transparent and Accountable Governance: By promoting transparency and accountability in the funding allocation process, our project will build trust and confidence among stakeholders in the Catalyst program. This will strengthen the governance framework of Cardano and reinforce its reputation as a transparent and community-driven blockchain platform.

We will measure the impact of our project through a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics, including:

• Number of proposals aligning with funding limits: We will track the percentage of proposals that adhere to the specified minimum and maximum funding amounts for each category.
• Project success rates: We will monitor the success rates of funded projects to assess their viability and sustainability over time.
• Community feedback: We will solicit feedback from proposers, reviewers, and other stakeholders involved in the Catalyst program to gauge the perceived effectiveness and value of our solution.

To share the outputs and opportunities resulting from our project, we will utilize various channels and platforms within the Cardano community, including:

• Catalyst voting app: We will provide regular updates and reports on the progress and impact of our project through the Catalyst voting app, ensuring that stakeholders are informed and engaged throughout the implementation process.
• Community forums and social media: We will actively participate in community forums and social media channels to share insights, best practices, and lessons learned from our project, encouraging discussion and collaboration among community members.
• Workshops and presentations: We will organize workshops, webinars, and presentations to showcase the outcomes of our project and provide guidance to proposers on developing effective funding requests. These events will serve as opportunities for knowledge sharing and capacity building within the Cardano developer community.

Overall, our project will bring tangible benefits to the Cardano community by optimizing the funding allocation process within the Catalyst program, fostering innovation and collaboration, and strengthening the governance framework 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?

Our team is well-equipped to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability. Here's why:

1. Experience in Blockchain and Governance: Our team members have extensive experience in blockchain technology and decentralized governance. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities associated with managing community-driven projects like the Cardano Catalyst program.
2. Track Record of Success: We have a proven track record of delivering successful projects within the blockchain space. Our past achievements demonstrate our ability to execute projects effectively and achieve meaningful results.
3. Commitment to Transparency: We prioritize transparency and accountability in all our endeavors. We believe in open communication, honest reporting, and ethical conduct, ensuring that stakeholders are kept informed and involved throughout the project lifecycle.
4. Financial Management Expertise: Our team includes members with expertise in financial management and budgeting. We have robust processes in place to manage funds responsibly, including budget planning, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting.

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will undertake the following steps:

1. Stakeholder Consultation: We will engage with key stakeholders, including proposers, reviewers, and administrators of the Cardano Catalyst program, to gather feedback and insights on our proposed approach. This will help us validate the feasibility of our approach and identify any potential challenges or concerns.
2. Pilot Testing: Before full implementation, we will conduct a pilot test of our funding allocation guidelines with a select group of proposers. This will allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of our approach in real-world scenarios and make any necessary adjustments based on feedback from participants.
3. Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: Throughout the project implementation, we will continuously monitor and evaluate our progress against key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure that we are on track to achieve our objectives. This iterative approach will allow us to adapt and refine our strategies as needed to maximize impact and effectiveness.
4. External Audit: To provide an additional layer of assurance, we will engage an external audit firm to conduct periodic audits of our financial management processes and practices. This will help ensure compliance with best practices and regulatory requirements and enhance trust and confidence among stakeholders.

Overall, our team's expertise, commitment to transparency, and rigorous approach to project management and financial accountability position us as the best-suited entity to deliver this project effectively and with the highest levels of trust and accountability.

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

1. Milestone 1: Proposal Development and Community Consultation

• Milestone Outputs:
• Clear guidelines for funding requests within the Cardano Catalyst program developed.
• Proposal documentation outlining the proposed funding limits and guidance for proposers.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Guidelines and documentation reviewed and approved by the Cardano community and Catalyst program administrators.
• Feedback from community consultation incorporated into the final proposal.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Documentation of community feedback and revisions made to the proposal.
• Confirmation of approval from relevant stakeholders.

1. Milestone 2: Implementation and Testing of Funding Guidelines

• Milestone Outputs:
• Implementation of funding guidelines within the Catalyst program.
• Testing of funding guidelines through a pilot phase with select proposers.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Funding guidelines successfully integrated into the Catalyst program platform.
• Pilot testing conducted with proposers, feedback collected, and any necessary adjustments made.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Documentation of the implementation process, including screenshots or descriptions of the updated Catalyst platform.
• Pilot testing report summarizing feedback and adjustments.

1. Milestone 3: Finalization and Documentation

• Milestone Outputs:
• Finalized funding guidelines and documentation ready for public release.
• Project close-out report outlining the project's achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Video presentation summarizing the project's outcomes and impact.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Funding guidelines and documentation reviewed and approved for release by the Cardano community and Catalyst program administrators.
• Project close-out report completed, highlighting key milestones achieved and areas for improvement.
• Video presentation created and shared with the Cardano community.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Finalized versions of funding guidelines and documentation.
• Project close-out report and video presentation shared with relevant stakeholders.

These milestones will ensure the successful completion of our project and provide clear markers for progress and accountability throughout the implementation process.

1. Milestone 3: Finalization and Documentation

• Milestone Outputs:
• Finalized funding guidelines and documentation ready for public release.
• Project close-out report outlining the project's achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Video presentation summarizing the project's outcomes and impact.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Funding guidelines and documentation reviewed and approved for release by the Cardano community and Catalyst program administrators.
• Project close-out report completed, highlighting key milestones achieved and areas for improvement.
• Video presentation created and shared with the Cardano community.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Finalized versions of funding guidelines and documentation.
• Project close-out report and video presentation shared with relevant stakeholders.

These milestones will ensure the successful completion of our project and provide clear markers for progress and accountability throughout the implementation process.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Milestone Outputs:
• Monitoring and evaluation framework developed and implemented to track the adherence of proposals to the funding guidelines and assess the overall impact of the project.
• Regular progress reports produced, summarizing key metrics, insights, and recommendations for improvement.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Monitoring and evaluation framework established, including key performance indicators (KPIs) and data collection methods.
• Progress reports generated and shared with relevant stakeholders on a predetermined schedule (e.g., quarterly).
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Documentation of the monitoring and evaluation framework, including KPI definitions and data collection procedures.
• Copies of progress reports demonstrating the project's progress and impact over time.

1. Finalization and Documentation

• Milestone Outputs:
• Finalized funding guidelines and documentation ready for public release.
• Project close-out report outlining the project's achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Video presentation summarizing the project's outcomes and impact.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Funding guidelines and documentation reviewed and approved for release by the Cardano community and Catalyst program administrators.
• Project close-out report completed, highlighting key milestones achieved and areas for improvement.
• Video presentation created and shared with the Cardano community.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Finalized versions of funding guidelines and documentation.
• Project close-out report and video presentation shared with relevant stakeholders.

This comprehensive set of milestones will guide the successful implementation and completion of our project, ensuring transparency, accountability, and measurable impact within the Cardano community.

1. Final Milestone: Project Close-out Report and Video Presentation

• Milestone Outputs:
• Comprehensive project close-out report detailing the project's achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations for future initiatives.
• Video presentation summarizing the project's outcomes, impact, and key insights.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Project close-out report reviewed and approved by relevant stakeholders, including the Cardano community and Catalyst program administrators.
• Video presentation created and shared with the Cardano community, receiving positive feedback and engagement.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Finalized version of the project close-out report, incorporating feedback and recommendations from stakeholders.
• Video presentation shared via official Cardano channels, such as social media and community forums, with evidence of viewership and engagement metrics.

This final milestone will mark the formal completion and documentation of our project, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive overview of the project's outcomes, impact, and insights gained throughout the implementation process.

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

1. Yakob Dereje

• Role: Project Lead
• Responsibilities: Overall project management, strategy development, stakeholder coordination, and ensuring the successful execution of the proposal's objectives.

2.Yohanis Zeleke

• Role: Technical Lead
• Responsibilities: Overseeing the technical implementation of the funding guidelines within the Catalyst program platform, coordinating with developers and technical teams to ensure successful integration and testing.

1. Rebecca Assefa

• Role: Outreach Coordinator
• Responsibilities: Creating outreach materials such as blog posts, social media content, and newsletters to raise awareness of the funding guidelines, engaging with external stakeholders, and promoting participation in the Catalyst program.

Recruitment Plan:

If additional team members are needed, we will prioritize recruiting individuals with the following skills:

• Financial Management: Experience in budget planning, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting to ensure proper management of project funds.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Expertise in developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), and producing progress reports to assess the project's impact and effectiveness.
• Communications: Strong communication skills, including writing, editing, and presentation abilities, to effectively communicate project updates, outcomes, and recommendations to stakeholders.

Engagement and Verification:

We have engaged with potential team members through direct communication channels such as Discord and Telegram to discuss their interest, availability, and capacity to support the project. We will ensure that all team members are willing and able to commit to their roles and responsibilities before finalizing the project team.

All team members will fully disclose their roles and scope of services in any submitted proposals, and we understand the importance of obtaining consent and ensuring transparency in the project's documentation.

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

Here's a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources for our project:

1. Project Management:

• Project Lead (Yakob Tsegaye): 1500 ADA/month for 6 months = 9000 ADA
• Project Management Software (e.g., Asana, Trello): 300 ADA/month for 6 months = 1800 ADA

1. Community Engagement and Outreach:

• Community Engagement Specialist (Meron Kebede): 1200 ADA/month for 6 months = 7200 ADA
• Marketing and Promotion Materials: 3000 ADA (includes design and printing costs for outreach materials)

1. Technical Implementation:

• Technical Lead (Elias Getachew): 1500 ADA/month for 6 months = 9000 ADA
• Software Development Tools and Licenses: 2000 ADA (includes any necessary software licenses or development tools)

1. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist: 1500 ADA/month for 6 months = 9000 ADA
• Data Collection and Analysis Tools: 1000 ADA (includes any software tools or services for tracking KPIs and producing progress reports)

1. Miscellaneous Expenses:

• Contingency Fund: 5000 ADA (reserved for unforeseen expenses or adjustments to the project plan)

Total Budget Request:

• Personnel Costs: 33,200 ADA
• Software and Tools: 4800 ADA
• Marketing and Promotion: 3000 ADA
• Contingency Fund: 5000 ADA

Grand Total: 45,000 ADA

Third-Party Products or Services:

• No third-party products or services are anticipated for this proposal beyond standard software tools and licenses mentioned above. However, if additional professional services (e.g., legal consultation, code auditing) are required, funds from the contingency budget will be allocated accordingly.

Alternative Sources of Funding:

• In the event that the project cost exceeds the funding request, we will explore alternative sources of funding, such as seeking additional grants from the Cardano Catalyst program or leveraging community donations or sponsorships. Additionally, if any project components can be executed at a lower cost without compromising quality, we will adjust the budget accordingly to stay within the allocated funds.

Budget Elements for Publicity, Documentation, and Reporting:

• Publicity/Marketing/Community Engagement: 3000 ADA
• Documentation: Included in personnel costs (Project Lead, Community Engagement Specialist, and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist responsible for documentation)
• Reporting Back to the Community: Included in personnel costs (Project Lead responsible for producing progress reports and project close-out report)

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

The costs outlined in the project budget represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem through their alignment with the project's objectives, the expertise of the team members involved, and the expected impact of the project outcomes.

1. Alignment with Objectives: The proposed costs directly contribute to achieving the project's objectives of optimizing funding requests within the Cardano Catalyst program. Each budget item, from project management to community engagement and technical implementation, is essential for the successful execution of the project plan and the realization of its goals.
2. Expertise of Team Members: The budget reflects the fair compensation for the expertise and skills brought by the project team members. Salaries are in line with industry standards and represent a reasonable investment in securing the talent necessary to execute the project effectively. Furthermore, the team members' experience in blockchain technology, community engagement, and project management ensures that the allocated funds will be utilized efficiently and productively.
3. Proportional Costs: The costs outlined in the budget are proportional to the scope and scale of the project. They have been carefully assessed based on factors such as the average wage in the country, typical freelance rates in relevant industries, and the specific requirements of the project. Additionally, the inclusion of a contingency fund provides flexibility to address any unforeseen expenses while maintaining financial prudence.
4. Value Added: By optimizing funding requests within the Cardano Catalyst program, the project aims to maximize the impact of allocated resources, foster innovation and collaboration, and strengthen the governance framework of the Cardano ecosystem. The anticipated benefits of improved resource allocation, increased project viability, and enhanced community engagement far outweigh the costs incurred, demonstrating a favorable return on investment for the Cardano ecosystem.

In summary, the costs associated with the project represent value for money by ensuring the efficient utilization of resources, leveraging the expertise of the project team, and delivering tangible benefits to the Cardano ecosystem. The budget has been carefully considered and justified to ensure that the project can achieve its objectives effectively and contribute positively to the growth and success of Cardano.