Catalyst Africa Townhall's Continued Journey & Operations

[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 enhance Catalyst Africa Townhall as a sustainable virtual hub, fostering Cardano-focused discussions and collaboration within Africa's blockchain community.

[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

[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 outputs of our project, including software, documentation, and resources, will be fully open source. We believe in the principles of transparency, collaboration, and community-driven development, and making our project open source aligns with these values.

[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, Catalyst Africa Townhall, addresses the pressing need for a dedicated platform fostering Cardano-centric discussions and collaboration within Africa's blockchain ecosystem.

Recognizing the lack of accessible avenues for engagement and knowledge-sharing specific to Cardano in Africa, we aim to leverage our existing infrastructure and community networks to establish an inclusive virtual hub. This hub will serve as a centralized space where individuals and organizations passionate about Cardano can convene, exchange ideas, and collaborate on projects aimed at advancing the adoption and development of Cardano in Africa.

What sets Catalyst Africa Townhall apart is its focus on Cardano and its unique approach to community engagement. Unlike generic blockchain forums, our platform is tailored specifically to the needs and interests of the Cardano community in Africa. By providing a centralized hub for discussion and collaboration, we empower stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to contribute meaningfully to the growth and success of Cardano in the region.

Our project will engage a wide range of stakeholders, including developers, entrepreneurs, educators, policymakers, and enthusiasts, who share a common interest in Cardano and its potential impact on Africa's socio-economic development. Through a combination of virtual townhall sessions, workshops, hackathons, and online forums, we will create opportunities for collaboration, learning, and innovation within the Cardano community.

To demonstrate our impact, we will track key metrics such as community engagement, project collaborations, and knowledge-sharing outcomes. We will also gather qualitative feedback from participants to assess the value and effectiveness of our platform. By measuring our success in terms of increased collaboration, knowledge dissemination, and tangible project outcomes, we will demonstrate the positive impact of Catalyst Africa Townhall on the Cardano ecosystem in Africa.

Ultimately, our solution is important to Cardano because it facilitates grassroots engagement and participation, driving adoption and innovation from the ground up. By empowering the African Cardano community to take ownership of its development and growth, we contribute to Cardano's mission of building a decentralized, inclusive, and sustainable blockchain platform with global impact.

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

The success of Catalyst Africa Townhall will bring significant value to the wider Cardano community by fostering increased engagement, collaboration, and innovation within Africa's blockchain ecosystem. Here's how we intend to measure and share the positive impact of our project:

Increased Community Engagement: We will measure the level of participation in Catalyst Africa Townhall events, including attendance at virtual townhall sessions, engagement on online forums, and participation in collaborative project

Collaborative Projects: We will track the number and quality of collaborative projects initiated or advanced through Catalyst Africa Townhall

Knowledge Sharing and Learning: We will assess the impact of our platform on knowledge dissemination and learning within the Cardano community

Ecosystem Growth and Development: We will monitor the growth and development of the Cardano ecosystem in Africa, including the emergence of new businesses, projects, and initiatives leveraging Cardano technology

To share the outputs and opportunities that result from our project, we will employ a multi-faceted approach:

Regular Reporting and Updates: We will provide regular reports and updates on the progress and impact of Catalyst Africa Townhall to the wider Cardano community through blog posts, newsletters, and social media channel

Community Engagement: We will actively engage with the broader Cardano community to solicit feedback, ideas, and contributions to our project

Partnerships and Collaborations: We will seek opportunities to collaborate with other projects, organizations, and stakeholders within the Cardano ecosystem to amplify our impact and reac

Open Access: All outputs and resources produced through Catalyst Africa Townhall, including educational materials, project documentation, and collaborative tools, will be made freely available and open source

[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?

We have a proven track record of successfully organizing and hosting community events, including multiple editions of the Catalyst Africa Townhall over the past two years. Our experience includes hosting over 30 prominent blockchain leaders, such as:

The Chief Technical Officer of Emurgo Academy [meeting video],

The Co-founder of Lido Nation [meeting video] ,

The DApp developers from Endubis [meeting video],

The DirectEd Academy Team [ meeting video]

The UptoDate Developers [meeting video] among others.

These engagements have enriched our understanding of the blockchain landscape and established our reputation as a trusted platform for industry leaders to share insights and expertise with our community.

In addition to hosting prominent blockchain leaders, we have actively empowered the community by providing a platform for them to present their project ideas through events such as IdeaFest. By organizing IdeaFest sessions, we have facilitated opportunities for over 50 proposers to showcase their innovative ideas and initiatives to the entire African community.

IdeaFest Video 1

IdeaFest Video 2

IdeaFestVideo 3

IdeaFest Vide4

This inclusive approach fosters collaboration, encourages creativity, and amplifies diverse voices within the Cardano ecosystem, further solidifying our commitment to community-driven development and engagement.

Our initiatives highlights our extensive experience in convening influential figures within the blockchain industry, further demonstrating our ability to deliver impactful events and initiatives within the Cardano community.

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

Community Outreach and Engagement:

Milestone: Promote Catalyst Africa Townhall and engage the Cardano community in Africa through targeted marketing and outreach efforts.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Marketing materials developed and distributed across relevant channels.
• Engagement metrics tracked, including website visits, social media interactions, and event registrations.
• Community feedback gathered to inform outreach strategies and content development.

Content Creation and Publication:

Milestone: Write and publish a series of articles about Cardano blockchain on the Catalyst Africa Townhall website to keep the community informed.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Article topics identified based on community interest and relevance to Cardano ecosystem.
• Articles written in a clear, informative, and engaging manner, with accurate and up-to-date information.
• Articles published on the Catalyst Africa Townhall website according to the agreed-upon schedule.
• Feedback from the community collected to assess the relevance and usefulness of the articles.

Project Collaboration and Partnerships:

Milestone: Facilitate collaborative projects and partnerships within the Cardano community in Africa.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Project collaboration opportunities identified and promoted through Catalyst Africa Townhall.
• Partnerships established with relevant organizations, including blockchain startups, educational institutions, and community groups.
• Tangible outcomes achieved through collaborative projects, such as prototype development, research publications, or community initiatives.

Impact Assessment and Reporting:

Milestone: Evaluate the impact of Catalyst Africa Townhall on the Cardano community in Africa and report findings to stakeholders.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Impact assessment conducted based on predefined metrics, including community engagement, knowledge-sharing, and project outcomes.
• Evaluation report compiled, summarizing key findings, insights, and recommendations.
• Findings shared with the Cardano community through public reporting channels, such as blog posts, social media updates, and community forums.

[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: Community Manager and Regional Integration CATH

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 cost breakdown for the proposed project:

Platform Enhancement and Preparation:

• Cost: $Ada 10000
• Description: Includes costs for zoom and meet-up subscriptions, Web hosting fees, and any necessary technical support services. (6 months period)

Community Outreach and Engagement:

• Cost: $Ada 15000
• Description: Includes expenses for marketing materials, social media advertising, and community engagement activities. (6 months period)

Event Planning and Execution:

• Cost: $Ada 20000
• Description: Includes costs for event planning, virtual event platforms, speaker fees and technical support. (6 months period)

Project Collaboration and Partnerships:

• Cost: $Ada 8000
• Description: Includes expenses for partnership development, collaboration tools, and project management software. (6 months period)

Impact Assessment and Reporting:

• Cost: $8000
• Description: Includes costs for data analysis tools, reporting software, and any external evaluation services. (6 months period)

Content Creation and Publication:

• Cost: $8000
• Description: Includes expenses for content creation (writing, editing, graphics), website hosting, and domain registration fees. (6 months period)
• 
  

Miscellaneous Expenses:

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

Total Project Budget: $Ada 74500

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

The cost of the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in several ways:

Strategic Investment: The proposed project aims to foster community engagement, drive innovation, and accelerate adoption of Cardano within the African blockchain ecosystem. By investing in initiatives like Catalyst Africa Townhall, the Cardano ecosystem stands to benefit from increased awareness, collaboration, and development activity in a region with significant growth potential.

Efficient Resource Allocation: The cost breakdown reflects careful consideration of the resources required to achieve the project's objectives effectively. Each budget element is essential for delivering tangible outcomes, such as hosting virtual events, conducting community outreach, and facilitating collaborative projects. By allocating resources strategically, the project maximizes its impact while minimizing waste or inefficiency.

Competitive Pricing: The costs outlined in the budget are based on market rates for comparable services and products within the blockchain industry and virtual event management space. Where possible, we have sought to negotiate competitive pricing or leverage free/open-source tools to minimize expenses without compromising quality or functionality.

Proportional to Impact: The projected costs are proportional to the expected impact and outcomes of the project. Investments in areas such as community engagement, event planning, and content creation are crucial for building a vibrant and sustainable Cardano ecosystem in Africa. The potential benefits of increased community participation, knowledge-sharing, and project collaboration justify the expenditure.

Transparency and Accountability: By providing a detailed cost breakdown and justification, we demonstrate our commitment to transparency and accountability in financial management. Stakeholders can assess the value proposition of the project and understand how their contributions will be utilized to advance the goals of the Cardano ecosystem in Africa.

Overall, the cost of the project represents value for money by strategically allocating resources to achieve meaningful impact, leveraging competitive pricing and market rates, and upholding principles of transparency and accountability in financial management. Through prudent financial stewardship and effective project execution, we aim to deliver maximum value for the Cardano ecosystem and its stakeholders.