Cardano Africa Expansion Second Edition: Empowering Communities Through Physical Engagement

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Catalyst Africa Townhall Team

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

Entity (Not 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)

We will facilitate in-person events and training sessions throughout Africa to educate and engage communities, fostering Cardano expansion and adoption

[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

Yes, all project outputs, including materials, resources, and documentation, will be fully open source.

[METADATA] SDG rating

>> SDG SELECTION:

• SDG goals:
• Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
• Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
• Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

• SDG subgoals:
• By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
• By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
• Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all

• Key Performance Indicator (KPI):
• Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill
• Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
• Proportion of schools offering basic services, by type of service

#proposertoolsdg

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution addresses the need for physical engagement and education to drive Cardano expansion in Africa. Recognizing the limitations of virtual engagement in certain contexts, we aim to facilitate in-person meetings and training sessions across the continent.

We perceive the problem as a lack of direct, face-to-face interaction and education opportunities for communities interested in Cardano in Africa.

While virtual events have their merits, they may not always effectively reach or engage all target audiences.

We approach this issue by leveraging the power of in-person communication and hands-on training to provide comprehensive education and foster community engagement. By hosting physical meetings and training sessions, we can directly address questions, provide demonstrations, and facilitate networking opportunities.

Our project will engage various stakeholders, including blockchain enthusiasts, developers, entrepreneurs, educators, policymakers, and the general public across Africa. These events will serve as hubs for knowledge-sharing, networking, and community building, empowering participants to become active contributors to Cardano's expansion and adoption in their respective regions.

To demonstrate our impact, we will track key metrics such as event attendance, participant feedback, and post-event engagement. Additionally, we will monitor the growth of Cardano communities in Africa and assess the level of awareness and understanding of Cardano among target audiences.

What sets our solution apart is its focus on direct, personal engagement and education, which complements existing virtual initiatives. This approach ensures inclusivity and accessibility, reaching individuals and communities that may not have easy access to online resources. Ultimately, our solution benefits not only the participants who gain knowledge and networking opportunities but also Cardano itself, as it expands its reach and impact in Africa.

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

The positive impact of our project on the wider Cardano community will be significant:

Increased Awareness and Adoption: By hosting physical meetings and training sessions across Africa, we will raise awareness of Cardano and its potential applications among diverse communities. This will lead to increased adoption of Cardano technology and principles, driving growth and expansion within the Cardano ecosystem.

Community Engagement and Empowerment: Our project will empower individuals and communities to become active participants in the Cardano community. Through education, networking, and hands-on training, participants will gain the knowledge and skills needed to contribute meaningfully to Cardano projects and initiatives.

Expansion of Cardano Ecosystem: By fostering community engagement and education, our project will contribute to the expansion and diversification of the Cardano ecosystem in Africa. This will attract new developers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to the Cardano platform, enriching its ecosystem and fostering innovation.

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

• Quantitative Metrics: These may include metrics such as event attendance, participant demographics, number of new Cardano wallet installations, and post-event engagement on social media platforms.
• Qualitative Metrics: We will gather qualitative feedback from participants through surveys, interviews, and focus groups to assess the perceived value and effectiveness of our events. This will include feedback on the relevance of the content, the quality of the training sessions, and the overall impact on participants' understanding and engagement with Cardano.

We will share our outputs and opportunities through various channels:

• Event Reports: We will publish reports summarizing key insights, outcomes, and feedback from each event on our website and social media channels.
• Community Engagement: We will actively engage with the Cardano community through forums, social media groups, and newsletters to share updates, resources, and opportunities resulting from our project.
• Collaboration with Stakeholders: We will collaborate with other Cardano community initiatives, projects, and stakeholders to cross-promote our events and share insights and resources.

Overall, the success of our project will bring value to the Cardano community by increasing awareness, fostering community engagement, and expanding the Cardano ecosystem in Africa. Through rigorous impact measurement and proactive sharing of outputs, we will ensure that the benefits of our project are maximized and shared with the wider Cardano community.

[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 capability to deliver the project with high levels of trust and accountability is demonstrated by our experience, expertise, and commitment to transparency.

1. Experience: We have a proven track record of organizing and executing successful community events and initiatives within the blockchain space. Our team has experience in event planning, project management, and community engagement, ensuring that we have the necessary skills to deliver the project effectively.
2. Expertise: Our team members possess deep knowledge and expertise in blockchain technology, including Cardano. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities associated with promoting Cardano adoption in Africa and are well-equipped to address them.
3. Transparency: We are committed to transparency and accountability in all aspects of our project. We will establish clear governance structures and processes for decision-making, fund allocation, and reporting to ensure that resources are managed responsibly and in accordance with community expectations.
4. Financial Management: We will implement robust financial management practices to ensure proper stewardship of funds. This includes transparent budgeting processes, maintaining detailed records of expenditures, and conducting regular financial audits to verify the integrity of our financial operations.
5. Validation of Feasibility: We will validate the feasibility of our approach through thorough research, consultation with stakeholders, and pilot testing. This will involve assessing the demand for physical events and training sessions, identifying suitable locations and venues, and estimating costs and resources required for implementation.
6. Community Engagement: We will actively engage with the Cardano community throughout the project lifecycle to gather feedback, address concerns, and ensure alignment with community priorities. This ongoing engagement will help build trust and confidence in our ability to deliver the project successfully.

Overall, our experience, expertise, commitment to transparency, and rigorous financial management practices demonstrate our capability to deliver the project with high levels of trust and accountability. We are confident that we are best suited to deliver this project and make a meaningful impact on the Cardano community in Africa.

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

Needs Assessment and Planning:

Milestone: Complete needs assessment and project planning phase.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Stakeholder consultations conducted to identify needs and preferences.
• Project plan developed, including event schedule, budget, and resource allocation.

Venue Selection and Logistics Planning:

Milestone: Secure venues and finalize logistics for events.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Suitable venues identified and confirmed for each event location.
• Logistics arrangements finalized, including event dates, catering, and equipment rental.

Event Execution:

Milestone: Successfully host physical meetings and training sessions.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Events conducted according to schedule and logistics plan.
• Adequate attendance and active participation from target audience.

Reporting and Documentation:

Milestone: Compile reports and document project outcomes.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Reports summarizing key insights, outcomes, and recommendations for each event produced.
• Documentation of lessons learned and best practices for future reference.

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

Afia Owusu: A member of Wada community and Hub lead for Ghana, Active Cardano and Catalyst Community Member since Fund 6, Coordinator of Catalyst Africa Town Hall (CATH) and Catalyst Africa School. Has been a CA since F7 and a vCA in F8. Afia holds an MSc degree 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, and 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.

Role: Coordinator

Telegram: @AfiaAOwusu

Daniel is currently the President of FinTech and Blockchain Society at the University of Aberdeen and also Cardano Ambassador. He was a Host for the Cardano Summit 2022. He is currently acting as the Community Manager and Regional Integration for the Catalyst Africa Town Hall.

He is the Co-host at the Catalyst Africa School. Projects Manager for Cardano Peer Education (A Catalyst funded project to educate students about blockchain and how to guide students and bring their innovative ideas to be funded on Idea-scale. 

He was a Community Advisor in Catalyst fund 7 and Catalyst Challenge Team Lead for ‘Scale-UP Cardano’s Community Hubs’ challenge settings for fund 8. Daniel envisioned using Blockchain Technology to bridge the gap between human capabilities and machine learning (AI & IoT) in developing countries.

Role: Programmes Manager

Telegram: :@ddlezu

Twitter: @ddlezu

Ubio Obu: CEO of RemoStart, A Blockchain Researcher and an AI expert and researcher with 4 years of experience in developing ML models. He has product management experience and has managed products that are in Agriculture, IoT, health, app development, etc. He has experience working with a range of tech stacks and has about 6 research publications in the field of Artificial Intelligence. His wide experience in tech development makes him ideal for the product management position in this solution. Successfully implemented a fund 9 awarded proposal. He will be in charge of coordinating with faculties and mentors for this project. He is a catalyst Facilitator collective member, organized the CIP-1694 Lagos event, was an African town hall coordinator, and was a moderator at the SingularityNet Deepfunding2 Pitchfest.

linkedin.com/in/ubio-obu-71927276/

github.com/ubiodee

Role: Community Manager - Nigeria

Discord: Ubiodee#9502 

Boaz: A graduate in environment and sustainable development, this person assumes the role of team leader at the Goma Wada Hub and serves as a stake pool manager. His deep fascination with blockchain technology motivates his enthusiasm to actively participate in the captivating journey of Cardano. Additionally, he contributed as a co-proposer in F8 and F9, fulfilling the role of a NFT project coordinator in F9, and serving as a challenge team member in F10. And he is onboarding youth from Goma City in DR Congo on blockchain in general and Cardano in particular translating content in French. From March 2023 he is working on an analysis document for African stake pools. 

Contacts:

Role: French Community Manager

Twitter: twitter.com/BoazB5475

Discord: Bboaz#5475

Richmond Oppong: Richmond is a graphic designer with over 10 years of experience in a variety of design disciplines, including logo design, print and poster design, business card design, 3D signage, and advertising and marketing. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design from Takoradi Polytechnic in Ghana. He is also a member of the Wada community and the Design and Marketing Lead.

Richmond is a blockchain enthusiast and is actively involved in the Cardano project catalyst community. He was a Community Advisor in Catalyst funds 5 to 9, and a Veteran Community Advisor in funds 8 and 9. He was also a member of the Catalyst Challenge Team for the "Scale-UP Cardano's Community Hubs" challenge in fund 8. He is currently a member of the Catalyst Challenge Team for the "Startups & Onboarding for Students" challenge.

Role: Design and Marketing lead

Twitter: @cardanoholious

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

Here's a breakdown of the proposed budget for our project:

Venue Rental and Logistics:

• Cost: $Ada 15000
• Description: Includes rental fees for event venues, equipment (projectors, sound systems), catering, and transportation.

Marketing and Promotion:

• Cost: $Ada 9000
• Description: Includes expenses for designing and printing promotional materials (flyers, banners), online advertising (social media ads, Google ads), and promotional giveaways.

Event Management:

• Cost: $Ada 8000
• Description: Includes expenses for event coordination, staffing (ushers, event assistants), and registration platform fees.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Cost: $Ada 5000
• Description: Includes expenses for documenting project outcomes, producing reports, and hiring external services for data analysis if needed.

Miscellaneous Expenses:

• Cost: $10000
• Description: Includes contingency funds for unexpected expenses or additional project needs.

Third-Party Services:

• Cost: $Ada 3000
• Description: Includes costs for any third-party services utilized during the project, such as event management software licenses or professional consulting services.

Total Project Budget: $Ada 50000

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

The costs associated with our project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in several ways:

1. Impact and Reach: The costs are proportionate to the scale and impact of the project. By hosting physical meetings and training sessions across Africa, we will reach a wide audience and foster meaningful engagement within local communities. The potential impact of expanding Cardano's presence in Africa justifies the investment required.
2. Quality and Effectiveness: The costs reflect our commitment to delivering high-quality events and resources. We prioritize the use of reputable venues, professional marketing materials, and experienced event management services to ensure the effectiveness of our initiatives. While some costs may be higher than average, the quality and impact of our project justify the investment.
3. Transparency and Accountability: We are transparent about our budget and expenditure, ensuring that funds are allocated responsibly and in accordance with community expectations. By demonstrating accountability in financial management, we build trust and confidence among stakeholders, further enhancing the value of the project.
4. Comparative Analysis: We have conducted a comparative analysis of costs to ensure that our budget is reasonable and competitive within the industry. While we strive to minimize expenses where possible, we prioritize quality and effectiveness to maximize the value of the project for the Cardano ecosystem.

Overall, the costs associated with our project represent a strategic investment in expanding Cardano's reach and impact in Africa. By delivering high-quality events and resources, maintaining transparency and accountability in financial management, and ensuring competitive pricing, we maximize the value for money and contribute to the long-term success of the Cardano ecosystem.