FreeSpirit Academy: A homeschooling platform offering interactive content, community, and progress tracking for free-spirited learners

[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] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Fiorella Oreste

[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)

• We will establish FreeSpirit Academy, an interactive educational platform for homeschooling families. Providing high-quality educational content, progress tracking tools, and a supportive community.

[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

Our project, FreeSpirit Academy, will be fully open source, with all project outcomes available under the MIT license. We believe in transparency and collaboration, and opening our project to open source is aligned with these values. All elements of our codebase, including educational content and tracking tools, will be available as open source to encourage community contribution and innovation

[METADATA] SDG rating

The FreeSpirit Academy project aligns primarily with the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs):

SDG 4: Quality Education

Subgoal 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.

Subgoal 4.4: Substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Subgoal 10.2: Promote social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

Subgoal 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.

These goals reflect FreeSpirit Academy's commitment to promoting quality education and reducing inequalities, thereby contributing to sustainable development and societal well-being.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

• Our proposal, FreeSpirit Academy, addresses the need for access to quality education for homeschooling families. We offer an interactive platform with tailored educational content, tracking tools, and a supportive community. It will benefit families seeking flexible educational alternatives and the Cardano community by demonstrating a commitment to inclusive education. Transparency, decentralization, and accessibility are key pillars of our solution, aligning with Cardano's core values.

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

The FreeSpirit Academy project will have a positive impact on the Cardano community at large by demonstrating its commitment to inclusive and accessible education. We will measure this impact through quantitative metrics such as user numbers and community participation, as well as qualitative metrics such as feedback and success stories from families using our platform. We will share our findings and opportunities through regular reports, participation in community events, and collaboration with other educational initiatives within the Cardano community. This will strengthen Cardano's image as a platform committed to empowering and developing its members. Additionally, the project will accompany the education of new generations, focusing on blockchain learning, cryptocurrency management, and the Cardano ecosystem. This advanced educational approach will prepare students to actively engage in the digital economy and in the future development of Cardano.

[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 grounded in our extensive experience and track record in the fields of education, technology, and entrepreneurship. As the founder, I bring over 30 years of experience in the tech industry and lead the technological and developmental aspects of the project. My co-founder, Fiorella Oreste, contributes her expertise in marketing and finance, backed by her involvement in a successful online holistic university and a platform for free education with over 10 years of success.

• Furthermore, we have organized several events in the past and are both very approachable and easy to find in the real world. These backgrounds demonstrate our capability to effectively manage projects and our commitment to accountability and transparency. To ensure proper fund management, we will implement robust financial management measures, including regular reporting, external audits, and the use of transparent smart contracts on the Cardano blockchain. This will ensure transparency and accountability in all our operations.

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

• Milestone 1: Platform Development
• A: Full development of the FreeSpirit Academy platform, including implementation of interactive educational content and tracking tools.
• B: The platform is fully developed and functional, with all planned features and functionalities implemented and tested.
• C: Demonstration of the platform in operation and detailed documentation of achieved milestones.

Milestone 2: Pilot Testing and Feedback

• A: Conducting pilot tests with real users to gather feedback on the usability and effectiveness of the platform.
• B: Feedback from users has been collected and necessary improvements to the platform have been implemented based on this feedback.
• C: Detailed report on the results of pilot testing and actions taken to improve the platform.

• Launch and Scaling
• A: Official launch of FreeSpirit Academy to the general public.
• B: Implementation of marketing and promotion strategies to increase platform adoption.
• C: Monitoring platform growth and adoption during the initial months post-launch.

Final Milestone: Project Close-out Report and Video

• A: Preparation and delivery of the Project Close-out Report, including a summary of achievements, lessons learned, and next steps.
• B: Creation and presentation of a video summarizing the project, its outcomes, and its impact on the community.
• C: Archiving and submission of all relevant documents and supporting materials related to the project

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

Fiorella Oreste: Marketing and Finance Lead

• LinkedIn: fiorellaoreste
• Proposed Work Aspect: Responsible for marketing strategies, financial management, and overseeing the project's economic aspects.

Juan La Banca: Technology Development Lead

• Facebook: juancruzjcr
• Proposed Work Aspect: Responsible for technological development, design and implementation of the web3-based platform, as well as management of the project's technical aspects.

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

For the FreeSpirit Academy project, with a requested budget of 100,000 ADA, the proposed cost breakdown is as follows:

Platform Development (40%):

• Software development: 30,000 ADA
• User interface design: 15,000 ADA
• Interactive educational content: 10,000 ADA

Marketing and Promotion (60%):

• Digital marketing strategies: 35,000 ADA
• Social media advertising: 15,000 ADA
• Creation of promotional content: 10,000 ADA

Generating Revenue from the Platform:

• Implementation of in-platform advertising: Opportunities will be explored to include relevant ads within the platform, generating revenue from advertising.
• Sponsorships and collaborations: Partnerships with relevant companies interested in supporting online education will be sought, offering sponsorship and collaboration opportunities in exchange for advertising and exposure benefits on the platform.

It's important to note that proper fund management is the responsibility of the project team. Regular reports on fund usage will be provided, and all Fund Rules will be adhered to to ensure cost eligibility.

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

The cost of the FreeSpirit Academy project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in several ways. Firstly, the allocation of funds towards platform development ensures the creation of a high-quality educational platform that meets the needs of homeschooling families. The costs for software development and user interface design are justified by the need for a robust and user-friendly platform, which will enhance the overall user experience and encourage platform adoption.

Similarly, the investment in marketing and promotion is essential for raising awareness about FreeSpirit Academy within the Cardano community and beyond. These costs are justified by the importance of effectively promoting the platform to reach its target audience and maximize its impact.

The project team has carefully considered the costs based on industry standards and the requirements of the project. The costs are proportional to the average rates for software development, design, and marketing services, ensuring that the project represents value for money.

Furthermore, the potential for generating revenue from the platform through advertising and sponsorships will contribute to the sustainability of FreeSpirit Academy, making it a cost-effective investment for the Cardano ecosystem in the long run.

Overall, the cost of the project is justified by its potential to provide valuable educational resources and opportunities for the community, while also offering avenues for revenue generation and sustainability.