Enabling Advanced Contribution and Skills Tracking via APIs

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Andamio Team

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

Entity (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)

Enabling seamless integration of contribution tracking and token creation capabilities into existing applications via robust API services.

[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?

No

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

All endpoints will be available, but business logic will not be open source.

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG goals:

• Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

SDG subgoals:

• By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
• 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, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and children in vulnerable situations
• By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy

Key Performance Indicator (KPI):

• The participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months by sex
• Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills by type of skill
• Parity indices (female/male, rural/urban, bottom/top wealth quintile, and others such as disability status, indigenous peoples, and conflict-affected, as data become available) for all education indicators on this list that can be disaggregated
• The proportion of the population in a given age group achieving at least a fixed level of proficiency in functional (a) literacy and (b) numeracy skills by sex

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

About Andamio

Andamio revolutionizes Cardano's educational and contribution framework by simplifying course creation, training, and rewarding processes. It uses blockchain technology to generate verifiable on-chain credentials that authentically showcase contributors' skills, ensuring transparent and trustworthy hiring. Andamio’s use of smart contracts enhances clarity in expectations and agreements from the onset, facilitating seamless communication and focused onboarding processes.

Proposed Solution Description

Understanding the Problem

Our primary challenge is the lack of streamlined processes for issuing verified on-chain credentials, which hampers credibility and limits opportunities within the Cardano ecosystem. Without a robust system to authenticate and manage credentials and tokens efficiently, learners and contributors face barriers in proving their skills and contributions, hindering their professional growth and innovation within decentralized networks.

Our Approach

We propose to address this gap by enhancing the Andamio API, which will enable other applications to issue tokens and track skills and contributions directly on the Cardano blockchain. This approach not only streamlines the verification process but also integrates seamlessly with existing systems, promoting wider adoption and utility.

Engagement Strategy

Our project targets a broad range of stakeholders within the Cardano community, including educational institutions, developers, and organizations seeking to enhance their credentialing processes. By providing a tool that simplifies and secures the issuance of on-chain credentials, we engage these groups directly, fostering a more interconnected and efficient ecosystem.

Demonstrating Impact  

The impact will be demonstrated through:

1. Increased adoption rates of the API by external platforms, monitored through API call metrics.

2. Feedback from users on the ease and reliability of credential verification.

3. Case studies with initial users that showcase the practical benefits and enhancements in operational efficiency.

Uniqueness and Importance to Cardano

What sets our solution apart is the integration of a scalable API infrastructure with the robust security features of the Cardano blockchain, ensuring that credentials are not only verifiable and secure but also universally recognized across the platform. 

This project aligns with Cardano's vision of fostering an accessible, transparent, and trustworthy blockchain environment. By enabling verified credentials and skill tracking, we contribute to a more inclusive ecosystem where contributors' achievements are acknowledged and rewarded, paving the way for a more equitable distribution of opportunities and benefits across the global Cardano community.

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

Value to the Cardano Community

Our project aims to make the Cardano blockchain more functional and accessible by improving its credentialing capabilities. We do this by allowing secure and efficient issuance of verified credentials on the blockchain, which promotes a more reliable and inclusive ecosystem. This helps build trust and collaboration between users, developers, and organizations, leading to increased adoption and usage of the Cardano blockchain. Our solution helps people and entities engage with blockchain technology more effectively, promoting innovation and growth within the community.

Measuring Impact

1. Quantitative Metrics

• Adoption Rate: Track the number of integrations and active users of the API.
• Transaction Volume: Monitor the number of credentials and tokens issued through the API.
• User Surveys: Conduct periodic surveys to gauge user satisfaction and gather feedback on the API’s effectiveness and ease of use.

2. Qualitative Assessments

• Case Studies: Document detailed case studies with early adopters like CF Academy and SingularityNet to illustrate specific use cases and benefits.
• Community Feedback: Engage with the Cardano community through forums, social media, and community events to obtain feedback and suggestions.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities

• Documentation and Reports: Publish comprehensive documentation on API integration and usage, along with regular progress reports and impact assessments, available openly for the community to review and utilize.

[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, Andamio, includes experts in fields such as pedagogy, smart contracts, software development, and business development. In a short time, we have successfully onboarded key organizations within Cardano. These organizations are currently exploring using our platform as an onboarding tool for their own organizations.

We secured funding from a Fund 10 proposal in 2023 and completed the project on time and within the budget. Our detailed and transparent reports are available at https://bit.ly/andamio-reporting.

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

Sprint 1: Project initiation and planning

Objective: Establish the project’s foundations and plan the subsequent development phases.

Milestone output(s):

• A project roadmap is detailed in sprints with specific tasks for each phase.

Acceptance Criteria:

• A complete roadmap with timelines, milestones, and identified resources.

Timeline - 1 month

Sprint: Infrastructure setup

Objective: Build and prepare the backend infrastructure necessary for the SaaS environment.

Milestone Output(s):

• Fully operational infrastructure ready for scaling.
• Node server setup to manage requests and serve endpoints.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Ensure that all servers and cloud resources are ready and working properly. 
• The infrastructure should be able to handle a 100% increase in initial user load. 
• Make sure that the system maintains at least 99.9% uptime even under stress-testing situations.

Timeline - 1 month

Sprint: API Endpoint Development - Courses

Objective: Develop and define the API endpoints for course management.

Milestone Output(s):

• Define and develop course endpoints
• Define and develop transaction-building endpoints

Acceptance Criteria:

• API can handle simultaneous connections at 50% above the expected peak load without any performance degradation. 
• In addition, all endpoints have been tested and are expected to return the correct status codes and responses, as per the API documentation.

Timeline - 1 month

Sprint: API Endpoint Development - Learners and Transactions

Objective: Define and implement API endpoints for learner management and transaction processing.

Milestone Output(s):

• Define and develop learners' endpoints
• Define and develop course creator endpoints

Acceptance Criteria:

• Efficient handling and processing of all requests.
• Security and reliability tests passed for transaction endpoints.

Timeline - 1 month

Sprint: User Authentication and Account Management

Objective: Establish robust systems for user authentication and account management.

Milestone Output(s):

• User authentication and authorization
• User account management

Acceptance Criteria:

• The authentication system enforces correct user permissions and roles.
• Account management features are user-friendly and secure.

Timeline - 1 month

Sprint: Project finalization and documentation

Objective: Complete the project and prepare a comprehensive close-out report and video.

Milestone Output(s):

• Close-out report detailing the project outcomes and lessons learned.
• Demo video showcasing the project features and capabilities.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Comprehensive documentation and video
• Successful demonstration of all system functionalities.

Timeline - 1 month

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

Nelson Kshetrimayum

Lead Developer

Passionate Cardano developer who transitioned from a background in physics to focusing on blockchain technology. He began his Cardano development journey with Gimbalabs, contributing to the prototype of a Cardano native Learning Management System. With a solid foundation in both physics and computer science, Nelson brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to his work, particularly in the realm of improving science and education through technology. He is dedicated to advancing the open-source software movement and contributing to the growth of Cardano as a leading blockchain. Driven by a desire to learn new concepts, build innovative software, and explore distributed and fractal community governance, he aims to create meaningful change in society through technology.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonksh/

Roberto Mayen

Project Manager

Roberto brings a diverse skill set to the project, encompassing software development, business, program management, and law. Roberto’s experience with early-stage startups in Latin America allows him to offer a unique perspective on problem-solving and driving innovation. He’s also involved in leading efforts to bring Cardano to Spanish-speaking communities through initiatives like Cardano Sin Tecnicismos and the

Spanish translation of the Plutus Project-Based Learning program.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-mayen-hess/

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

Sprint 1: Project Initiation and Planning

• Project Management Software: 600/month x 4 = 2,400
• Project Manager: 4,000
• API Developer: 7,000

Sub-total: 13,400

Sprint 2: Infrastructure Setup

• Cloud Hosting Services (GCP): 2,000/month x 4 = 8,000
• Server and Network Infrastructure: Setup fee of 4,000
• API Developer: 7,000
• Project Manager: 4,000

Sub-total: 23,000

Sprint 3: API Endpoint Development - Courses

• Development Tools (API management platforms): 600/month x 4 = 2,400
• API Developer: 7,000
• Project Manager: 4,000

Sub-total: 13,400

Sprint 4: API Endpoint Development - Learners and Transactions

• Database Licensing Fees: 400/month x 4 = 1,600
• API Developer: 7,000
• Project Manager: 4,000

Sub-total: 12,600

Sprint 5: User Authentication and Account Management

• Authentication Service Provider Fees: 900/month x 4 = 3,600
• API Developer: 7,000
• Project Manager: 4,000

Sub-total: 14,600

Sprint 6: Project Finalization and Documentation

• Project Manager: 17,500
• Contingency Fund: 4,500

Sub-total: 22,000

Total Revised Budget: 99,000

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

Value for Money Justification for the Cardano Ecosystem

Cost Efficiency and Rationale

The budget for expanding the Andamio API on the Cardano blockchain has been carefully constructed to maximize value while minimizing unnecessary expenditures. The total budget of 93,000 ADA is aligned with industry standards for similar blockchain development projects, considering the specialized skills required and the strategic impact expected on the Cardano ecosystem.

1. Developer Costs: At ADA 35,000 for five months of work, the rates are below the typical salaries for developers, which can range from $100,000 to $150,000 annually in the tech industry. This rate reflects competitive pricing for skilled developers familiar with Cardano’s Plutus, offering significant cost savings while ensuring high-quality outputs.

2. Infrastructure Costs: Allocating ADA 12,000 for server and cloud services is essential for ensuring robust, scalable, and secure API operations. These costs are in line with average prices for cloud hosting services tailored for high-availability applications, representing an essential investment in the infrastructure that supports the API’s reliability and performance.

3. Project Management: At ADA 37,500 for project management over six months, this cost is justified by the need for skilled oversight to coordinate complex technical tasks and ensure project milestones are met on schedule. 

Value Proposition

• Strategic Impact: This project directly supports the growth and diversification of the Cardano ecosystem by enabling verified credentials and skill tracking on the Cardano blockchain. It introduces new functionalities that increase the blockchain’s utility and attractiveness to educational institutions, businesses, and developers.

• Long-Term Benefits: The project’s outputs are designed to be scalable and reusable, providing long-term value beyond the immediate developmental phase. The API can be integrated by other developers into new applications, multiplying the impact and utility across the ecosystem.

• Community and Ecosystem Growth: Enhancing the Andamio API promotes broader participation in the Cardano community. It enables more secure and efficient interactions within the ecosystem, attracting new users and developers, which is crucial for network growth and sustainability.

In conclusion, this project offers significant strategic benefits to the Cardano ecosystem, making it a worthwhile investment that promises not only to meet but exceed the value expected from the financial outlay.