Zero-Knowledge Proofs on Cardano: A Community-centric driven & Sensitization Approach

[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)

This proposal aims to sensitize community members about the benefits and applications of ZKPs as well as promote its adoption and integration into various Cardano projects and initiatives.

[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

All materials and resources developed as part of this campaign will be released under open-source licenses, ensuring accessibility, transparency, and collaboration within the Cardano community.

[METADATA] SDG rating

The proposed sensitization campaign aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution for implementing Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) campaign on Cardano revolves around a community-centric approach with a strong emphasis on sensitization. We plan to deploy a multifaceted campaign aimed at raising awareness and understanding of ZKPs among the Cardano community.

The core of our strategy involves utilizing various educational resources, including informative videos, articles, and guides. These materials will comprehensively cover key aspects of ZKPs, starting from the basics to their significance within blockchain technology. We aim to convey not only the theoretical underpinnings of ZKPs but also their practical applications within the Cardano ecosystem.

Through our educational content, we will illustrate how ZKPs can enhance voting transparency and security within the Catalyst voting process, thereby fostering greater trust and participation among community members. Additionally, we will highlight real-world examples where ZKPs have been successfully implemented in other blockchain projects, demonstrating their potential for widespread adoption and impact.

Overall, our sensitization approach seeks to empower the Cardano community with the knowledge and understanding necessary to embrace and advocate for the integration of ZKPs into the platform. By fostering a culture of education and awareness, we aim to catalyze the adoption of ZKPs on Cardano and contribute to its continued growth and development.

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

The positive impact "Zero-Knowledge Proofs on Cardano: A Community-centric driven & Sensitization" will have on the wider Cardano community include the following:

1. Enhanced Privacy: Zero-Knowledge Proofs enable transactions to be validated without revealing sensitive information, such as the transaction amount or the parties involved.
2. Increased Security: ZKPs can strengthen the security of the Cardano blockchain by minimizing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
3. Greater Adoption: By prioritizing community involvement and education, the project can raise awareness about the benefits of ZKPs and how they improve the Cardano network.
4. Diverse Use Cases: ZKPs enable a wide range of applications beyond just financial transactions, including identity verification, supply chain management, and voting system.
5. Empowerment of Developers: A community-centric approach encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing among developers, empowering them to contribute to the development of ZKP-based solutions on Cardano. This collaborative environment can accelerate the pace of innovation and attract talent to the Cardano ecosystem.
6. Alignment with Cardano's Principles: Cardano emphasizes principles such as decentralization, sustainability, and interoperability. By integrating ZKPs in a community-driven and sensitization-focused manner, the project aligns with these principles, reinforcing Cardano's commitment to building a transparent, inclusive, and secure blockchain platform.

By increasing awareness and understanding of ZKPs, our campaign will provide community members with adept knowledge which can be used as leverage in their projects and initiatives.

[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 possesses expertise in cryptography, blockchain, and community-driven projects, bolstered by a track record of successful implementations. Leveraging this capability, we plan to engage the Cardano community extensively, fostering collaboration and co-creation to ensure alignment with community needs. Our commitment to transparency, regular progress updates, and inclusive decision-making processes will uphold trust and accountability.

Feasibility will be validated through a phased approach: conducting thorough technical assessments, piloting key components, gathering feedback iteratively from stakeholders, and continuously refining the strategy based on real-world insights and challenges. This iterative validation process ensures adaptability and mitigates risks, ensuring project success.

Furthermore, our prior submission, titled "Researching Zero-Knowledge Proofs in Blockchain Ecosystems for Enhanced Voting Transparency in Catalyst Voting Process: A Potential Application," secured funding and ranked third among proposals in fund 11, highlighting the community's strong interest in Zero-Knowledge Proofs within the Cardano Catalyst ecosystem. To date, we have not only met our objectives but have also surpassed expectations with our research methodology. You will find our project links and progress updates below:

https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/11/catalyst-systems-improvements-discovery/researching-zero-knowledge-proofs-in-blockchain-ecosystems-for-enhanced-voting-transparency-in-catalyst-voting-process-a-potential-application

https://www.lidonation.com/en/proposals/researching-zero-knowledge-proofs-in-blockchain-ecosystems-for-enhanced-voting-transparency-in-catalyst-voting-process-a-potential-application-f11

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

Research and Analysis of Community Needs

A: Milestone Outputs

• Comprehensive report detailing key knowledge gaps and learning preferences within the Cardano community regarding Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs).

B: Acceptance Criteria

• The report should identify specific areas of misunderstanding or lack of awareness regarding ZKPs.
• It should outline community preferences for educational formats and platforms.
• The report should be based on data collection and analysis which may including either of the following: document analysis, observational stiudies, surveys and/or interviews.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Submission of the comprehensive research report.
• Positive feedback from reviewers indicating satisfaction with the quality and depth of data analysis.
• Incorporation of any suggested revisions or additions to the report based on feedback.

Development of Educational Materials and Resources

A: Milestone Outputs

• Creation of a suite of educational materials and resources on ZKPs tailored to the needs and preferences of the Cardano community.
• These resources may include presentation slides, infographics, written guides or interactive tutorials.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Educational materials should be available accessible, and engaging for a diverse audience.
• Resources should cover fundamental concepts of ZKPs, practical applications, and relevance to the Cardano ecosystem.
• Materials should be developed in formats suitable for both online and offline dissemination.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Presentation of the completed suite of educational materials to community.
• Positive feedback from reviewers indicating satisfaction with the quality and relevance of the materials.
• Incorporation of any suggested revisions or additions to the materials based on stakeholder feedback.

Launch of Educational Videos and/or Workshops, Informational Resources etc.

A: Milestone Outputs

• Delivery of educational videos or other educational events focused on ZKPs and their applications within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Distribution of informational resources, such as articles, blog posts, and social media content, to raise awareness of ZKPs among the community.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Educational videos should be provided for Cardano adoption, engagement and interaction.
• Informational resources should be widely shared and disseminated across relevant platforms and channels.
• Community feedback should indicate increased awareness and understanding of ZKPs following the launch of educational initiatives.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Documentation of number of views/watches as a form of attendance and participation metrics.
• Tracking of social media engagement metrics for distributed informational resources.
• Analysis of community feedback to assess the impact and effectiveness of educational initiatives.

Distribution of Informational Guides and Articles

A: Milestone Outputs

• Distribution of informational guides, articles, and other written materials providing in-depth insights into ZKPs and their relevance to the Cardano community.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Written materials should be well-researched, informative, and accessible to a broad audience.
• Distribution channels should be within the reach of the Cardano community.
• Community feedback should indicate increased awareness and understanding of ZKPs as a result of the distributed materials.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Documentation of distribution channels and strategies used to disseminate written materials.
• Tracking of engagement metrics, such as views, shares, and comments, for distributed articles and guides.
• Analysis of community feedback to assess the impact and effectiveness of written materials.

Monitoring and Evaluation Phase

A: Milestone Outputs:

• Establishment of a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of the sensitization campaign and educational initiatives.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• The monitoring and evaluation framework should include key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of the campaign.
• Data collection methods should be defined to gather feedback and assess community perceptions and understanding of ZKPs.
• Regular monitoring and evaluation activities should be scheduled (within the project epoch) to track progress and identify areas for improvement.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Documentation of the monitoring and evaluation framework, including defined KPIs and data collection methods.
• Regular reports summarizing progress against KPIs and highlighting any insights or trends observed during project epoch.
• Iterative adjustments to campaign strategies based on monitoring and evaluation findings to optimize impact and effectiveness.

Reports and Feedback Collection

A: Milestone Outputs:

• Compilation of comprehensive reports summarizing the results of the sensitization campaign and educational initiatives.
• Collection of feedback from community members and stakeholders regarding their experience and perceptions of ZKPs.

B: Acceptance Criteria:

• Reports should provide detailed insights into the reach, engagement, and impact of the campaign, including quantitative and qualitative data.
• Feedback collection methods should capture diverse perspectives and opinions from across the Cardano community.
• Reports should include recommendations for future initiatives based on the findings and insights gathered.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Submission of comprehensive reports to reviewers, including detailed analysis and recommendations.
• Positive feedback from reviewers indicating satisfaction with the quality and depth of the reports.
• Incorporation of any suggested revisions or additions to the reports based on stakeholder feedback.

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

Edet Ekpenyong - https://www.linkedin.com/in/edet-ekpenyong-b65056106

Edet Ekpenyong is a seasoned Community Engagement Manager and Executive MBA grad (Quantic School of Business and Technology, Washington) with a diverse background in both community-based and international organizations. With extensive experience as Co-Director, Consultant, and other leadership roles, Ekpenyong possesses the skills and capacity to effectively manage projects across various themes. 

He is recognized as a visionary and design-thinker, with a global perspective gained from his roles in notable multi-national incubator and accelerator programs such as Mass Challenge, Bridge to Mass Challenge, and VC4A Mentor Driven Capital. His strong networking and communication abilities have led to achievements in key metrics, notably in BridgingSpace, and have garnered him global opportunities.

Ekpenyong holds a background in Biomedical Science and has received significant training in leadership, management in health, and project management in global health from the Department of Global Health, University of Washington. Additionally, he holds certifications in governance and health, human resources for health, and Google Digital Marketing Fundamentals.

He has been recognized for his contributions to digital innovation, being selected as one of the 30 Most Inspiring Digital Innovations of 2020 by Spindle. Notably, his project BridgingSpace was accepted to represent Nigeria in the GITEX Future Stars Showcase at Dubai World Trade Centre in 2021.

In addition to his accolades, Ekpenyong has been awarded and funded by the Cardano Community for his research on Zero-Knowledge Proofs in Blockchain Ecosystems for Enhanced Voting Transparency in Catalyst Voting Process. He is also an enthusiast of AI translation.

Udoma Obu

Udoma Obu is a multifaceted creative professional with a passion for storytelling through film, photography, poetry, and creative direction. With a diverse skill set and a commitment to artistic expression, Udoma has made significant contributions to the world of visual and literary arts.

As a filmmaker, Udoma brings stories to life through the lens of a camera, captivating audiences with his unique perspective and narrative style. His work spans a range of genres, from documentaries to narrative films, each imbued with his distinct voice and vision.

In addition to his prowess behind the camera, Udoma is also an accomplished photographer, capturing moments of beauty and emotion with his keen eye for detail. Whether photographing landscapes, portraits, or events, he has a knack for creating images that resonate with viewers on a deep and personal level.

As a poet, Udoma's words have the power to inspire, provoke thought, and evoke emotion. His poetry is a reflection of his innermost thoughts and feelings, often exploring themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Udoma's poetry has earned him recognition as an award-winning slam champion, showcasing his talent and artistry on both national and international stages.

He performed twice at the Independence Day Celebration at the Presidential Villa 2019 & 2021 respectively. In 2022, Udoma was selected as a fellow for the British Council-led exchange program between Wales and Nigeria, further solidifying his status as a rising star in the global creative community. This experience provided him with invaluable opportunities to collaborate with artists from different cultures and backgrounds, broadening his perspective and enriching his artistic practice.

Currently based in Abuja, Nigeria, Udoma continues to push the boundaries of creativity and expression in his work. Whether through film, photography, poetry, or creative direction, he remains dedicated to using his talents to inspire, educate, and provoke change.

In summary, Udoma Obu is a versatile and visionary creative professional whose work spans multiple disciplines and mediums. From his award-winning poetry to his captivating films and photography, he is a true artist whose passion and talent shine through in everything he creates.

Ese Gift Williams

As a seasoned professional in the Web3 marketing domain, I specialize in branding strategy and UI/UX design. My expertise extends to successfully establishing and nurturing the Unified Cardano Student Club across six universities, effectively integrating them into a cohesive community network. Additionally, I have orchestrated a notable AI and Blockchain event featuring hands-on workshops attended by AI and Blockchain developers, showcasing my ability to facilitate engaging and informative industry gatherings. With a track record of driving community engagement and fostering collaboration, I bring a unique blend of marketing acumen and design prowess to every project I undertake.

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

1. Research and Analysis of Community Needs

• Conducting research and analysis: ₳20,000

2. Development of Educational Materials and Resources

• Creation of educational materials: ₳30,000

3. Launch of Educational Videos and/or Workshops, Informational Resources, etc.

• Delivery of educational videos or workshops: ₳20,000

4. Distribution of Informational Guides and Articles

• Distribution of written materials: ₳15,000

5. Monitoring and Evaluation Phase

• Establishment of monitoring and evaluation framework: ₳10,000

6. Reports and Feedback Collection

• Compilation of comprehensive reports: ₳5,000

Grand Total: ₳100,000

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

The "Zero-Knowledge Proofs on Cardano: A Community-centric driven & Sensitization Approach" project aims to bring awareness and education about zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to the Cardano ecosystem. The cost of this project represents value for money in the following ways:

1. Education and Awareness: Investing in education and awareness initiatives like this project helps to equip the Cardano community with knowledge about advanced cryptographic techniques like ZKP. By understanding ZKPs, community members can better appreciate its adoption and utilization in the Cardano blockchain.
2. Community Engagement: The project adopts a community-centric approach, involving the Cardano community in the sensitization process. This not only fosters a sense of ownership and involvement but also ensures that the educational materials are tailored to the needs and interests of the community, maximizing their effectiveness.
3. Network Effect: As more members of the Cardano community become educated about ZKPs, they are likely to share their knowledge with others, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond the direct participants of the project. This amplifies the impact of the investment, reaching a broader audience and further strengthening the Cardano ecosystem.