On-Chain Badges: A Decentralized Standard for Issuance and Verification

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Robin Hellmann

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

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Franzi Schmid

Dr. Julia Kleeberger

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

4

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

Yes

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

OpenEducationalBadges offers a standardized way to make any skills visible and certifiable. By integrating with the Cardano blockchain, we aim for decentralization, transparency and fraud protection.

[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

GNU AFFERO GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE

Version 3, 19 November 2007

https://github.com/mint-o-badges/badgr-ui/blob/main/LICENSE

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG Goals

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

8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

SDG Subgoals

4.3 - By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university

4.4 - 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

4.5 - 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

4.7 - 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

8.2 - Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors

8.3 - Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

9.1 - Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

9.5 - Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Understanding and Addressing the Problem:

OpenEducationalBadges (OEB), combined with blockchain technology, offer an innovative solution to make specific and highly demanded skills visible in a transparent and decentralized manner. This approach is crucial in an era where job-specific competencies across various industries are increasingly specialized.

Our Approach to the Solution:

OEB utilizes recognized frameworks like ESCO and AI to identify essential skills, enabling the creation of meaningful badges for organizations based on these specific skills. These badges are developed as fully open-source and transparent, allowing legitimate entities to issue them, which leads to a decentralized issuance system.

Blockchain Integration:

To detach badge management from any central authority and to ensure complete transparency and control for the badge holders, we are using blockchain technology. Badges will be represented on the blockchain, opening up a wide array of use cases and adding the sought-after attributes directly to the badges. This not only secures the integrity of the badges but also provides badge holders with full control over their credentials.

Engagement and Outreach:

Our project targets individuals who have acquired future-relevant skills through non-traditional settings, such as online learning platforms, volunteering, or extracurricular activities. Organizations seeking to validate and recognize these skills for their relevance in the job market are also key participants.

Demonstrating and Proving Impact:

We will demonstrate our impact by tracking the deployment and acceptance of badges within the workforce and educational sectors. The integration of our badges into professional settings and their acceptance by employers will validate our approach. The transparency and auditability provided by blockchain technology will enable us to offer concrete evidence of the legitimacy and utility of our badges.

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

Value to the Cardano Community:

The integration of OEB with the Cardano blockchain is poised to deliver significant value to the Cardano community by leveraging the blockchain's capabilities to enhance the credentialing process through security, interoperability, and transparency.

• Expansion of User Base: By connecting Moodle with Cardano via the OEB plugin, we are set to drive a significant increase in the user base actively engaging with the Cardano blockchain, thereby enhancing the network's utility and adoption.

• Resource Mobilization and Community Engagement: By showcasing skills and credentials on a transparent and secure platform, we can mobilize untapped resources within the Cardano community. This includes identifying skilled individuals who can contribute to various Cardano-based projects and initiatives.

• Technological Innovation: Using Cardano’s advanced blockchain features, such as smart contracts and native tokens, for the OEB project will foster innovation within the ecosystem, leading to new applications and use cases that can further enhance the blockchain's capabilities and appeal.

Measuring Impact:

To gauge the success and impact of the OEB project on the Cardano ecosystem, several key performance indicators (KPIs) will be used:

• User Engagement Metrics: Monitoring the increase in the number of users interacting with the Cardano blockchain through the OEB system. This includes tracking the number of badges issued, the number of transactions related to badges, and user feedback.

• Innovation Outcomes: Evaluating the development of new applications and enhancements that stem from the integration of OEB with Cardano. Success stories and case studies will be documented to measure how these innovations contribute to the broader blockchain and education technology fields.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

To ensure the outputs and opportunities from the OEB project are effectively shared with the Cardano community and beyond, the following strategies will be implemented:

• Public Access to Developments: Making all developments, such as the technical documentation, codebase (where applicable), and case studies, publicly accessible through platforms like GitHub and the OEB project website.

• Community Engagement Initiatives: Engaging in workshops and presentations to engage with both the Cardano and broader educational communities. These events will be used to demonstrate project outcomes, discuss potential applications, and gather community feedback.

• Collaborations and Partnerships: Establishing partnerships with educational institutions, tech companies, and other blockchain projects to expand the reach and application of the OEB system. These collaborations will help disseminate the benefits and opportunities offered by the project to a broader audience.

By focusing on these areas, the OEB project aims to solidify its position as a valuable asset within the Cardano ecosystem, driving both technological and community growth.

[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?

Involved Parties

Disruptive Elements GmbH and mycelia gGmbH bring extensive experience in the education sector and digital product development. This collaboration is based on long-standing mutual trust and the synergistic integration of their competencies.

Expertise and background

MyCelia gGmbH

Mycelia, a non-profit organization, draws on significant experience in educational innovation. It designs learning experiences that systematically reshape how we value and utilize skills and competencies in both personal and career development. 

Collaborating with federal institutions and social enterprises, mycelia fosters collective impact through digital tools that empower lifelong learning with disruptive effects on the education system. 

The organization was founded by two successful entrepreneurs who previously launched an educational startup, Junge Tüftler:innen, which now operates across Germany with a team of 40 members.

Disruptive Elements GmbH

Disruptive Elements GmbH is a digital agency and venture builder at the forefront of AI, ED-TECH, Web 3 and blockchain technologies. We thrive on collaborating with NGOs, leveraging our expertise to drive impactful initiatives in this realm.

Composed of visionaries, developers, and project implementers, we empower decision-makers and businesses to navigate the digital landscape by providing comprehensive (IT) methodologies and implementation expertise, leading to market-ready solutions.

Robin Hellmann

Robin Hellmann has been able to demonstrate his skills with internationally acclaimed projects such as the Non-Funible Animals of WWF Germany and a large number of blockchain-related projects.

Experience / Feasibility

MyCelia gGmbH

Klima Campus

Klima Campus is a transformative learning platform that empowers young people to translate knowledge into action. By providing easily digestible information on climate change and climate action, it inspires users to engage in meaningful activities that can evolve from individual actions into collective impact strategies. The platform leverages a Moodle-based web environment enriched with interactive maps and young voices to inspire and guide its users.

To foster a vibrant and active community, Klima Campus is establishing a youth advisory board, ensuring that the platform remains relevant and effective in meeting the needs of its audience. Users can interact with educational materials, use maps to start climate-protective activities, and earn badges that reflect their growing expertise in crucial future skills. This approach not only informs but also motivates young people to recognize their power and harness it effectively.

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, underscoring its importance and national significance in shaping proactive climate action among younger generations.

Open Educational Badges

Open Educational Badges is a digital tool that documents and visualizes skill acquisition in non-formal learning environments using Open Badges (2.0) technology. This platform not only adopts the technical standard but also incorporates a comprehensive competence dictionary to make the badges more relevant for learners. By combining these two standards, Open Educational Badges allows learners to understand their unique skill profiles.

Learners can collect individual badges, which, through the standardized skill taxonomy, can build upon one another, providing a transparent view of individual skill growth. This transparency empowers learners to better understand their potential for career planning and development. 

Badge issuers, such as non-formal learning providers, can also showcase the value and quality of their offerings. Moreover, potential employers can recognize the standardized, machine-readable data sets, gaining a clear understanding of the skills each individual possesses.

This project is being carried out in partnership with two cooperative organizations and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, along with various foundations. Together, they ensure that Open Educational Badges offers a comprehensive framework that benefits learners, badge issuers, and skill recognizers alike, fostering transparency and standardization in skill recognition.

Disruptive Elements GmbH

Stahlo Stahlservice GmbH & Co.KG:

Development of a CO2-tracking system for green steel supply chains. The blockchain-based application ensures traceability and authenticity of green steel throughout the entire steel supply chain, from the steel mill to the end product.

Dibooq: The Network for Vacation Rentals:

Development of a blockchain-based notarial layer for the DiBooq platform. This is the first real-time occupancy calendar for vacation rentals, providing agencies and owners with access to current calendar and booking data at any time.

SmartPlaces:

Strategic consulting and whitepaper development for the startup Smart Places. Smart Places incentivizes real social interactions. By introducing "Connect2Earn," users are rewarded for interacting with others in the ecosystem. Through the use of blockchain technology, data can be monetized in a decentralized zero-knowledge environment.

Welthungerhilfe:

We were proud to have supported #innolab2023TechEdition by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) as a tech partner, with a focus on Blockchain Technologies. Last year's #innolab2023 explored cutting-edge tech like AI, robotics, VR, Blockchain, and classic apps. In collaboration with an excellent team from Bangladesh (one out of five), we developed innovative solutions for Zero Hunger. Teams worked tirelessly online and in the field to refine their ideas. Following this, they came to Berlin to work with us for a 3-day innovation sprint. Afterwards, all five teams met in Bonn for the Welthungerhilfe #Innolab2023 #SharkTankEvent. We express our gratitude to our exceptional team from Bangladesh. With their support, we showcased an impressive prototype, leaving a significant impact with our peer-to-peer #priceOracle for Bangladesh. Our team was immensely proud of everyone's contribution, and we extended special thanks to the Cardano Foundation for their unwavering support. Together, we could turn dreams into reality and work towards a brighter, hunger-free future.

In addition to the aforementioned clients, our portfolio includes esteemed companies such as:

Volkswagen AG

HERE Technologies, ADAC, Continental in the field of mobility and autonomous driving

Roland Berger

In the area of agile project development and prototyping (Bank of the Future LBB / ADAC,)

Condé Nast, Funke Mediengruppe, and RTV media solutions GmbH

In the areas of digital publishing and digital product development

United Soft Media (USM)

In the field of entertainment / game development

Sparwelt AG, remind me GmbH

In the areas of e-commerce and FinTech

Teletax GmbH, UBS AG, Sparkassenstiftung, and LearnIO

In the area of learning portal, blended learning

Sparwelt, Stahlo, L | EARN

In the area of blockchain and AI

Hamburger Volksbank

In the area of Data Unios

Management of funds

MyCelia gGmbH has received funding from German federal ministries (Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection) as well as the Deutsche Telekom Foundation and Next Generation EU. It is in the nature of publicly funded projects that they are subject to particularly strict reviews. Funding from government support programs and foundations demonstrates the project's capabilities and trustworthiness.

Disruptive Elements GmbH, as a full-service tech agency, can look back on many years of successful collaboration with large companies, publicly funded projects, and NGOs.

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

Team Onboarding and Project Mapping for Cardano Catalyst

Description: 

Conduct a comprehensive onboarding process for the team regarding the Cardano Catalyst environment and Cardano Community. Organize a workshop with the team to map the specific requirements and objectives of the Open Educational Badges project for integration into the Cardano blockchain, and to develop a more extensive project plan.

Output: 

• A detailed onboarding document for the team, a project roadmap document describing the integration steps and goals, and a comprehensive project plan developed during the workshop.

Acceptance Criteria:

• The team is fully onboarded into the Cardano Catalyst platform and understands the technical and operational requirements. The project roadmap and the detailed project plan are approved by stakeholders.

Technical Evaluation and Feasibility Study

Description: 

Review the technical infrastructure and evaluate the possibilities for implementing the badges system on the Cardano blockchain. Identify technical challenges and requirements.

Output: 

• A feasibility report that outlines the technical possibilities, challenges, and necessary adjustments for implementation on Cardano.

Acceptance Criteria: 

• The report is completed and reviewed by the technical teams. It must include a clear recommendation for the implementation strategy.

Development of System Architecture

Description: 

Design and develop a detailed system architecture for mapping and managing badges on the Cardano blockchain. This includes the creation of smart contracts, specification of wallet integrations, and definition of transaction logics.

Output: 

• Architecture documents and developed smart contracts for badge issuance and management.

Acceptance Criteria: 

• The system architecture is fully documented and the developed smart contracts are tested and ready for the pilot phase.

Proof-of-Concept, Verification and MVP Development Planning

Description:

Conduct a feasibility study to validate the initial concept of the badge system on the Cardano blockchain. This study should focus on the technical viability and potential challenges of the proposed blockchain solution. Additionally, develop a plan for creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) as a final project step.

Output: 

• A comprehensive feasibility study report, an initial proof of feasibility for mapping badges on the Cardano blockchain, and a detailed plan for the development of an MVP.

Acceptance Criteria: 

• The feasibility study confirms the technical feasibility and outlines actionable steps to address identified challenges. The initial proof of feasibility demonstrates the practicality of badge representation on the blockchain. The MVP development plan is robust, aligns with project goals, and is approved by stakeholders.

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

Team

Julia Kleeberger / Co-Founder MyCelia gGmbH

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julea/?locale=de_DE 

Dr. Julia Kleeberger has spent over a decade as an expert in bringing innovative ideas to life through strong business cases and technological groundwork. A researcher at heart, she translates current research into exceptional products. She co-founded Form21, Mycelia gGmbH, and Junge Tüftler:innen and is exceptionally well-connected in the education sector.

Franzi Schmid / Co-Founder MyCelia gGmbH

https://www.linkedin.com/in/franzi-schmid/ 

Franziska Schmid has been actively involved in innovative education since 2015, co-founding and leading Form21, Mycelia gGmbH, and Junge Tüftler:innen. Her strengths lie in planning, conceptualization, and translating digital and analog learning concepts into user experiences. She is well-connected in the education world, with contacts among startups, ministries, and the public sector.

Jürgen Kleeberger / Founder Disruptive Elements GmbH

https://www.linkedin.com/in/j%C3%BCrgen-kleeberger-39449511/

As a strategic thinker and digital product developer, Jürgen Kleeberger successfully digital enhanced industry sectors in different areas, e.g. logistics, media publishing, mobility services etc. Focusing on emerging technologies and having a deep understanding for the companies needs, he was in charge of digitizing communication processes and developing digital product strategies. His ongoing passion for current technology trends and management methods enables him to help companies implement solutions at the pulse of time and to meet the challenges of digital transformation that they face. In short, he supports decision-makers to lead digital initiatives with agile methods and implementation expertise to provide market-ready solutions.

Robin Hellmann / Freelancing M.Sc. Industrial Engineer

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-hellmann-2927b529b/

Robin possesses deep expertise in innovative techniques and sustainability. After successfully obtaining a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from the prestigious RWTH Aachen University, he dedicated himself to projects in the innovation environment, building expertise in areas such as blockchain, AI, and educational technology. He offers consulting, project management, and conceptual work for these sectors. In his work with large NGOs, like WWF Germany, as well as industrial partners, he has proven himself and is always seeking new challenges to make the world a slightly better place.

Dominik Fiolka / CTO Disruptive Elements GmbH

Dominik Fiolka (Development) is a seasoned full-stack developer who brings extensive experience to his role as CTO and Architect at Disruptive Elements. With a background in full-stack development, Dominik has been instrumental in implementing a wide range of projects tailored to meet customer needs. His solution-oriented and pragmatic approach ensures that projects are delivered efficiently and effectively. Dominik has contributed his expertise to various projects, including those for renowned clients such as HERE, Volkswagen, L|EARN, and WIRED Germany. His dedication to delivering high-quality solutions that meet client expectations makes him an invaluable asset to the development team.

Lars Zachowski / UX UI Lead

Lars Zachowski is an extremely experienced UX/UI designer who has been successfully working in our team for years. His expertise particularly lies in developing user-centered solutions and applications. Lars has an impressive track record in managing and developing projects for a variety of clients, including well-known organizations such as Welthungerhilfe. His accomplishments include outstanding projects like L|EARN, Klimacampus, WIRED, and Volkswagen. His profound understanding of user experience and design makes him an indispensable member of our team.

Roles

Julia and Franzi, co-founders of MyCelia gGmbH, initiated this project. They will play a pivotal role in leading its content direction.

Jürgen, founder of Disruptive Elements GmbH, will act as the implementation partner, overseeing the integration of management and technology.

Robin, a project manager with extensive Web3 experience, will supervise the project.

Dominik, serving as the Full-Stack and Technical Lead, will manage the technical execution of the project.

Lars will take the lead when it comes to anything UX/UI related topics.

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

Onboarding the Team to Cardano Catalyst

Duration:

2 weeks

Requested funds:

9302 ADA

Milestone output:

• Onboarding workshop.
• A detailed onboarding document for the team, a project roadmap document describing the integration steps and goals, and a comprehensive project plan developed during the workshop.

----------------------------------------------------

Technical Evaluation and Feasibility Study

Duration:

4 weeks

Requested Funds:

23255 ADA

Milestone Output:

• A feasibility report that outlines the technical possibilities, challenges, and necessary adjustments for implementation on Cardano.

----------------------------------------------------

Development of System Architecture

Duration:

6 weeks

Requested Funds:

51162 ADA

Milestone Output:

• Architecture documents and developed smart contracts for testing the on-chain badge issuance.

----------------------------------------------------

Proof-of-Concept, Verification and MVP Development Planning

Duration:

4 weeks

Requested Funds:

16279 ADA

Milestone Output:

• A comprehensive feasibility study report, an initial proof of feasibility for mapping badges on the Cardano blockchain, and a detailed plan for the development of an MVP.

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

Introduction to Open Educational Badges (OEB) Integration with Cardano

The Open Educational Badges (OEB) initiative, through its direct connection to Moodle via a plugin, reaches a broad user base. The project’s integration with public sponsors and its emphasis on standardization foster widespread adoption, amplifying its impact significantly. Implementing this system on the Cardano blockchain introduces numerous benefits, demonstrating value for money within the Cardano ecosystem.

Direct Benefits to the Cardano Ecosystem

• User Expansion: By integrating OEB with Cardano, there is an anticipated influx of real users utilizing Cardano as an underlying infrastructure. This increases the blockchain's active user base, directly boosting its utility and exposure.

• Resource Mobilization: Visibility of individual skills within the Cardano community can uncover and mobilize new resources. Empowering community members to contribute effectively, this feature enhances community involvement and resource utilization, driving further development and innovation.

• Interoperability and Scalability:

• Interoperability: Utilizing Cardano’s blockchain technology makes the OEB badges interoperable across various platforms and systems, significantly enhancing their usability and accessibility. This feature is crucial for widespread adoption and functionality in diverse environments.

• Scalability: Cardano's infrastructure is designed to support scalability, ensuring that the OEB badge system can handle an increasing number of users and organizations seamlessly. This scalability prevents performance bottlenecks, maintaining efficiency as the system grows.

• Security and Trust: Leveraging Cardano’s robust security features ensures that badge data is secure and tamper-proof. This security fosters trust in the OEB credentialing process, making the badges more credible and valuable to employers and other stakeholders.

• Community Engagement: The integration with Cardano not only enhances technical features but also promotes community engagement. Users and developers within the ecosystem can contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the badge system, fostering a collaborative environment.

Innovative Potential

• Innovation: By leveraging advanced features like smart contracts and native tokens on the Cardano platform, the OEB project opens up possibilities for innovative applications within the badge ecosystem. These innovations can lead to the development of new features and functionalities that extend beyond traditional educational credentials.

• Universal Web3 Learning Primitive: The development of a universally applicable primitive for representing learning credentials on all Web3 platforms could standardize how skills and educational achievements are showcased and verified online. This standardization could increase efficiency, interoperability, and trust within the broader Web3 learning ecosystem, making Cardano a foundational technology in this regard.

Conclusion

The integration of Open Educational Badges with Cardano represents significant value for money for the Cardano ecosystem. By enhancing user engagement, scalability, interoperability, and security, and by driving innovation and resource mobilization, the project not only benefits its direct users but also strengthens the entire Cardano community. This alignment with Cardano’s capabilities and the potential for widespread adoption and functionality enhancement in educational and professional settings make the investment into this project highly worthwhile.