Raising Awareness & Facilitating dRep Onboarding Globally.

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Christopher Pokoo-Aikins

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

Individual

[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 organize three (3) webinars, provide educational support, and engage the community over the course of six months to increase D-Rep awareness and facilitate onboarding.

[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

This project is committed to embracing open-source principles, recognizing the importance of transparency, collaboration, and community engagement within the Cardano ecosystem. By making key project outputs open source, we aim to empower the community and contribute to the broader mission of decentralization.

The recorded sessions of the webinars will be shared openly on platforms that support open access. Participants, as well as those unable to attend live sessions, will be able to view and review the content freely. This ensures that the knowledge shared during the webinars remains accessible and benefits a wider audience over time.

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG 4: Quality Education

The project's primary objective is to educate dReps and participants about the Cardano protocol and the dRep role. 

By hosting webinars and providing educational resources, the project contributes to promoting quality education.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The project focuses on building awareness and support for dReps within the Cardano ecosystem. 

By increasing participation and informed decision-making, it contributes to the development and innovation of the blockchain infrastructure.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The project aims to address the lack of awareness and support for new dReps. 

By providing educational opportunities, the project helps reduce inequalities by ensuring equal access to information and resources for all interested individuals.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The Cardano community is growing rapidly, but there is a lack of awareness and support for dReps (delegated representatives). This can make it difficult for new dReps to get started and participate effectively in the Cardano ecosystem.

This proposal outlines a plan to host a series of webinars to educate dReps about the Cardano protocol, the dRep role, and the decision-making process. The webinars will also provide opportunities for participants to ask questions and get help from experienced dReps across ten (10) countries and more.

The target audience for this project is new and enrolled dReps, as well as anyone interested in learning more about the Cardano protocol and the dRep role.

The expected impact of this project is to increase dRep awareness, educate participants, and improve the onboarding experience. This will lead to expanded dRep participation and informed decision making, which will benefit the Cardano ecosystem as a whole.

The deliverables for this project include:

• A series of three webinars on topics related to the Cardano protocol, the dRep role, and the decision-making process.
• Recorded event sessions that can be accessed by participants after the webinars have been held.
• Educational resources, such as guides and FAQs, that can be shared with the Cardano community.
• A comprehensive report on the impact of the webinars.

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

The project is poised to have several positive impacts on the wider Cardano community:

1.Increased dRep Awareness:

• The educational initiatives and webinars will contribute to a broader understanding of the role and significance of delegated representatives (dReps) within the Cardano ecosystem. This increased awareness can lead to a more informed and engaged community.

2.Empowered dReps:

• By providing educational resources and support mechanisms, the project aims to empower dReps with the knowledge and tools needed to actively participate in decision-making processes. This empowerment can result in a more diverse and well-informed set of voices contributing to the growth and development of Cardano.

3.Improved Onboarding Experience:

• Enhancing the onboarding process for new dReps means that individuals entering the Cardano ecosystem in this role will have a smoother transition. This can lead to quicker integration, increased confidence, and a more positive experience for those joining the 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?

The project plan is meticulously divided into six distinct milestones, each with specific tasks and associated budgetary allocations. This structured approach ensures transparency in the project's progression, and each milestone includes provisions for feedback collection, evaluation, and comprehensive reporting. This demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and transparency in assessing the effectiveness of the webinars.

The budget reflects an understanding of the intricacies of webinar planning, including content development, speaker coordination, promotional campaigns, and execution. This expertise contributes to the trustworthiness of the project's success.

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

Milestone 1: Webinar One (1) and Promotion Campaign (Months 1-2)

• Deliverables: Identified event topics, designed promotional materials, scheduled event dates, launched marketing to receive registrations, hosted “Webinar One (1)” collected feedback from participants, and drafted and shared a comprehensive report with the community.
• Outputs: Increased event awareness, educated participants, and improved onboarding experience.
• Intended Outcomes: Successful “Webinar One (1)” execution, expanded dRep awareness, and informed decision-making.

Milestone 2: Webinar Two (2) and Educational Support (Months 3-4)

• Deliverables: Educational resources were developed and shared via YouTube, participants received support, marketed and hosted “Webinar Two (2)” and collected feedback from participants, and a comprehensive report was compiled for “Webinar Two (2)”.
• Output: Increased dRep awareness, educated participants, and improved onboarding experience.
• Intended Outcomes: Successful “Webinar Two (2)” execution, expanded dRep awareness, and informed decision-making.

Milestone 3: Webinar 3 and Close-out Reporting (Months 5-6)

• Deliverables: “Webinar Three (3) was hosted with feedback collected, a comprehensive report was drafted, and finally close-out report and video were created and shared with IOG.
• Output: Insights into event effectiveness and user satisfaction.
• Intended Outcomes: Successful “Webinar Two (2)” execution, expanded dRep awareness, informed decision-making, enhanced event planning for future initiatives, and improved Cardano community engagement strategies.

Final Milestone: Webinar 3 and Close-out Reporting (Months 5-6)

• Deliverables: “Webinar Three (3) was hosted with feedback collected, a comprehensive report was drafted, and finally close-out report and video were created and shared with IOG.
• Output: Insights into event effectiveness and user satisfaction.
• Intended Outcomes: Successful “Webinar Two (2)” execution, expanded dRep awareness, informed decision-making, enhanced event planning for future initiatives, and improved Cardano community engagement strategies.

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

Christopher Pokoo-Aikins: Christopher is a highly experienced accountant and finance professional with over 12 years of experience in the field. hold’s a Master's degree in Computer Application from Amity University (India), an MSc degree in Accounting and Finance from KNUST (Ghana), and a BSc in Business Administration from KNUST (Ghana).

He is passionate about blockchain technology and believe that it has the potential to solve many problems. He has been a community advisor and voter in the Project Catalyst funding cycle since Fund 5, and was also a member of the Catalyst Challenge Team for the "Scale-UP Cardano's Community Hubs" challenge in Fund 8.

He is a strong leader with a proven track record of success and also a highly ethical individual who is committed to implementing change in a positive way.

Role: Team Lead

Email: chrisaiks@gmail.com

LinkedIn

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 is the Co-host at the Catalyst Africa School and the Design & Marketing Lead for the Catalyst Africa Town Hall. 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

 Email: holious45@gmail.com

LinkedIn

Angela Okai-Nartey: Angela is a Digital Marketer and the Executive Director of the Ladies Network for Economic Freedom. She has 3 years of experience in Think Tank Development, Non-Profit Management, and Digital Marketing.

She holds a BSC in Information Technology from Ghana Communication Technology University. She also holds a Think Tank Foundations Certificate from Atlas Network Academy and a Digital Marketing Certificate from Google Digital Workshop.

Angela is a blockchain enthusiast, She has been a Community Advisor since Fund 7 and a challenge team member for Scale-UP Cardano’s Community Hubs in Fund 8.

Role: Content Creator

Email: angelanartey00@gmail.com 

Linkedin

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

Milestone 1: Webinar One (1) and Promotion Campaign (Months 1-2)

1. Webinar Planning:

   - Content development, identification and confirmation of speakers, and dates: 

     24 hours x ADA 50/hour = ADA 1,200

   

2. Promotional Materials and Campaign:

   - Design of marketing materials: ADA 500

   - Social media ads and promotions: ADA 1,300

   - Email marketing campaign: ADA 500

3. Webinar Launch and Marketing:

   - Webinar registration platform: ADA 700

   - Landing page development: ADA 1000

   - SEO and online advertising: ADA 1,000

4. Webinar Execution and Evaluation:

   - Webinar hosting platform: ADA 800

   - Moderator/Presenter fees/Honorariums: ADA 1,600

   - Feedback collection and evaluation: 24 hours x ADA 50/hour = ADA 1,200

5. Comprehensive Report:

   - Report compilation: 20 hours x ADA 50/hour = ADA 1,000

6. Miscellaneous Expense: ADA 800

Total Budget for Milestone 1: ADA 11,600

Milestone 2: Webinar Two (2) and Educational Support (Months 3-4)

1. Ongoing Support and Engagement:

   - Q&A session coordination and participant engagement: ADA 500

   - Community management and engagement: ADA 1,200

2. Webinar Marketing:

   - Design of marketing materials: ADA 500

   - Social media ads and promotions: ADA 1,300

   - Email marketing campaign: ADA 500

3. Webinar Execution and Evaluation:

   - Webinar hosting platform: ADA 800

   - Moderator/Presenter fees/Honorariums: ADA 1,000

   - Feedback collection and evaluation: ADA 1,200

4. Comprehensive Report:

   - Report compilation: 20 hours x $50/hour = ADA 1,000

5. Miscellaneous Expense: ADA 800

Total Budget for Milestone 2: ADA 8,800

Final Milestone: Webinar 3 and Close-out Reporting (Months 5-6)

1. Webinar Marketing:

   - Graphic design and content creation: ADA 500

   - Social media ads and promotions: ADA 1,300

   - Email marketing campaign: ADA 500

2. Webinar Execution and Evaluation:

   - Webinar hosting platform: ADA 800

   - Moderator/Presenter fees: ADA 1,000

   - Feedback collection and evaluation: 10 hours x ADA 50/hour = ADA 500

3. Educational Resources Development:

  - Content creation and editing [Video]: 32 hours x ADA 50/hour = ADA 1,600

4. Comprehensive Report:

   - Report compilation: ADA 500

   - Overall project analysis and Close-out report preparation: ADA 1,600

5. Miscellaneous Expense: ADA 800

Total Budget for Final Milestone : ADA 9,100

[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:

Webinar series: The project involves organizing a series of webinars, which provide valuable educational content and promote awareness about the Cardano ecosystem, using the Zoom Platform.

Promotion campaign: The project includes a comprehensive promotion campaign, utilizing various marketing channels such as social media, email marketing, and online advertising. This ensures that the webinars reach a wide audience and generate substantial interest. Effective promotion increases the visibility and reputation of the Cardano ecosystem, attracting more participants and potential users.

Educational resources: The project allocates resources for the development of educational materials, including content creation, editing, and Q&A sessions. These resources contribute to the overall knowledge and understanding of the Cardano ecosystem, empowering community members to make informed decisions and engage actively with the platform. By investing in educational support, the project helps foster a knowledgeable and engaged community.

Comprehensive reporting: Each milestone includes the compilation and analysis of a comprehensive report. These reports provide valuable insights and feedback on the webinars, marketing campaigns, and overall project outcomes. The information gathered helps the Cardano ecosystem understand the effectiveness of its efforts, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions. The reporting ensures transparency and accountability, demonstrating the value derived from the project.

Budget allocation: The budget is allocated across various components, such as content development, marketing, webinar execution, and evaluation. This balanced approach ensures that resources are appropriately distributed to achieve the project's objectives. By investing in key areas, the project maximizes the impact and effectiveness of its activities, delivering value for the Cardano ecosystem.