Cardano Classroom: Strengthening East Africa through Blockchain

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Lewezegenet Mandefro

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

Individual

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

With Ethio BlockChain Developers Community

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

60000

[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)

Proposing an inclusive Amharic-centered Quality Cardano Blockchain content Education serious to the existing YouTube channel for East Africa's blockchain enthusiasts for the community in Ethiopia.

[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

• Video Footage: video will be shared as open source resources publicly. By doing so, others in the community can remix, translate, or repurpose the footage to create their own educational content or contribute to the project by improving, translating, or adapting the videos.
• Scriptwriting: The scripts created for the content will be released in the description of every video. Allowing others to freely use, modify, and distribute the scripts.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Current Existed YouTube Channel Name: HAB - CODE | AMHARIC COMPUTER PROGRAMMING AND TECH TIPS

• Over 80 uploaded videos in computer programming over the last two years.
• Over 69.6K views and more than 154.1K Impressions clicks.
• Average view rate of 6 minutes.
• Over 1150 subscribers with a viewership spanning Ethiopia, United States, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain.
• Target audience age range: 18-45.

Amharic-Language Content Creation:

• Develop high-quality audio content, including podcasts, to provide educational, coding, advisory, and guiding resources tailored to the Amharic-speaking population.
• Emphasize the importance of blockchain awareness, readiness for technological advancements, and community building through interactive discussions.
• This initiative aims to empower individuals with accessible and informative content, enabling active engagement and participation in the blockchain ecosystem.

"Cardano Classroom" YouTube Series:

• Launch a comprehensive YouTube series titled "Cardano Classroom" with a focus on providing accessible and engaging blockchain education to East African communities, specifically targeting Ethiopia.
• Curate expert-led tutorials, discussions, and practical demonstrations covering various aspects of Cardano and blockchain technology.
• The series aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the Cardano ecosystem effectively, fostering community growth and knowledge sharing.

Recent studies show that only 14 % of the Ethiopian population can communicate and understand English well. This leaves us with the majority of the population missing out on opportunities, so Introduce a comprehensive YouTube series titled "Cardano Classroom" aimed at providing accessible and engaging blockchain education to East African communities, particularly focusing on Ethiopia. The series will consist of expert-led tutorials, discussions, and practical demonstrations on Cardano and blockchain technology.

All The Content will be released in the milestone one.

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

Expansion of Cardano Knowledge: The series will bridge the gap in blockchain education, empowering individuals in East Africa Ethiopian to understand and utilize Cardano highly and effectively which is going to have high impact.

Community Building: By fostering a supportive and knowledgeable community around Cardano, the series will encourage collaboration, innovation, and adoption within the region and within the Cardano community.

Skill Development: Teachers, students and Anyone will gain valuable skills in blockchain technology, enhancing their employability and contribution to the global Cardano and blockchain ecosystem in native language.

This idea has a significant High impact in terms of providing people quality educational, advisory, guiding, and supporting content which they can hear at any time and also a chance for the audience to be part of the community in directly engaging with the weekly open discussion by asking their questions to the guest and scholars.

Targeted Audience: as of the information provided in the solution section the current targeted group age are between 18- 45, which indicate the audience are youngsters and great benefit for cardano to have a yungesters. 

Qualitative and Quantitative Metrics for measuring the success of the "Cardano Classroom" project:

Qualitative Metrics:

1. Engagement: Measure the level of interaction and participation from the audience through comments, likes, shares, and discussions on YouTube videos and social media platforms.
2. Feedback: Collect qualitative feedback from viewers regarding the clarity, relevance, and helpfulness of the educational content.
3. Community Building: Assess the growth and engagement of the Cardano community within East Africa, including the number of active participants in discussions, meetups, and online forums.
4. Brand Perception: Evaluate the perception of the project and the Cardano ecosystem among viewers, considering factors such as trust, credibility, and value.
5. Content Quality: Gauge the quality of the educational content based on viewer satisfaction, relevance to the target audience, and adherence to educational objectives.

Quantitative Metrics:

1. View Count: Track the number of views on each YouTube video to measure the reach and popularity of the content.
2. Subscriber Growth: Monitor the increase in subscribers to the YouTube channel over time, indicating the growth of the audience and potential long-term impact.
3. Watch Time: Analyze the total watch time of videos to understand viewer engagement and the effectiveness of content in retaining audience interest.
4. Social Media Metrics: Track metrics such as followers, likes, shares, and mentions on social media platforms to assess the project's visibility and audience engagement.
5. Completion Rate: Measure the percentage of viewers who watch a video in its entirety, indicating the effectiveness of content in holding audience attention.

Overall, the proposed Cardano Classroom YouTube series presents a valuable opportunity to democratize blockchain education in East Africa, leveraging Cardano existing YouTube channel and expertise to empower individuals with knowledge and skills in Cardano and blockchain technology. With the addition of team members and evidence of engagement on social media channels, this initiative is poised to make a significant impact and contribute to the growth and adoption of Cardano in the region.

[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?

With a High proven track record in educational content creation and a dedicated audience on the existing YouTube channel, our project community includes:

• Telegram channels : Ethiopian_BlockChain_Network Group
• Twitter Handle : Ethiopian BlockChain Network / X
• General Discussion Channel : Code-Night
• Programmer Union: Programmer Union Ethiopia
• Our YouTube: HAB - CODE | AMHARIC COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, TECH TIP
• Which have Over 80 uploaded videos in computer programming over the last two years.
• Over 69.6K views and more than 154.1K Impressions clicks.
• Average view rate of 6 minutes.
• Over 1150 subscribers with a viewership spanning Ethiopia, United States, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain.
• Target audience age range: 18-45.

This demonstrates the capability to successfully execute the proposed Cardano Classroom series. The commitment to releasing weekly videos for five months ensures consistency and continuity in delivering valuable educational content.

However we are not limited to only this, we will use other social media and sites to promote the channel and increase the overall growth of the channel and engagements.

Our team has achieved significant milestones in the realm of educational mobile applications, boasting over 100,000 downloads and maintaining an active user base exceeding 60,000. You can explore our flagship app here.

Our team is proud to be partnered with MLOps Community, a global organization at the forefront of machine learning, DevOps, and cutting-edge technology. As hosts and organizers of the Addis Ababa chapter, we facilitate Meetups , YouTube videos, newsletters, podcasts, and more, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and networking. With branches in various countries and partnerships with industry leaders like AWS, NVIDIA, Databricks and more, we have demonstrated our capacity to deliver successful events and initiatives, showcasing our commitment to innovation and community engagement.

Furthermore, we're proud to highlight our successful participation in 'Cardano for 100,000+ students,' securing funding through Fund 11. You can view our project proposal and track record here.

Also, we are an Official Partner with Microsoft Startup Founder Hub.

Marketing and Promotion Plan:

1. Social Media Campaigns: Utilize platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to share teaser trailers, highlights, and announcements about the upcoming "Cardano Classroom" series. Engage with the audience by posting polls, quizzes, and behind-the-scenes content to generate excitement and encourage participation.
2. Influencer Collaborations: Partner with influencers or experts in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space to promote the "Cardano Classroom" series to their followers. This collaboration can include guest appearances in episodes, shoutouts on social media, and cross-promotional activities to reach a wider audience.
3. Email Marketing: Build an email list of subscribers interested in blockchain education and regularly send out newsletters with updates, sneak peeks, and exclusive content related to the "Cardano Classroom" series. Personalize emails to increase engagement and encourage viewership.
4. Community Engagement: Actively participate in online forums, discussion groups, and communities related to blockchain and Cardano to share information about the series. Engage with community members by answering questions, addressing concerns, and soliciting feedback to foster a sense of belonging and ownership.

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

Release Schedule: Weekly videos every Monday

Content: Expert-led tutorials, discussions, and practical demonstrations on Cardano and blockchain technology.

Promotion: Utilization of existing social media channels and collaborations with relevant stakeholders to maximize reach and impact.

Milestone 1: Content Planning and Material Procurement (Month 1)

• Description: Prepare video outlines/content lists based on the syllabus. Contact and arrange necessary resources for video production.
• Key Task: Content planning and material procurement
• Milestone Output:
• Video outlines/content lists prepared.
• Video will be release
• Necessary resources contacted and arranged.
• Material procurement as per outlined requirements.
• Acceptance Criteria/Proof:
• Completed video outlines/content lists.
• Published VIdeo urls
• Confirmation of resource arrangements.
• Evidence of material procurement.

Video Creation Improvements and Testing (Month 2)

• Description: Produce and test Cardano educational videos. Write documentation of acceptance and proof of criteria.
• Key Task: Video creation and testing
• Milestone Output:
• Completed Cardano educational videos.
• VIdeo will be Released
• Documentation of acceptance and proof of criteria.
• Acceptance Criteria/Proof:
• Completion of Cardano educational videos.
• Published video urls
• Written documentation detailing acceptance criteria and proof of completion.

Channel Launch and Promotion (Month 3)

• Description: Launch the Cardano education series on the existing YouTube channel. Implement promotion strategies.
• Milestone Output:
• Publication of the 3rd month Cardano educational video.
• Announcement on social media platforms.
• Initial viewer engagement and feedback.
• Acceptance Criteria/Proof:
• Publication of the 3rd month Cardano educational video.
• Announcement on social media platforms.
• Evidence of initial viewer engagement and feedback.

Ongoing Content Production and Growth (Months 4-5)

• Description: Continue producing weekly Cardano educational videos. Focus on growing subscriber base and community engagement.
• Milestone Output:
• Consistent weekly video uploads.
• Increased subscriber count.
• Positive feedback and engagement from the community.
• Acceptance Criteria/Proof:
• Consistent weekly video uploads.
• Growth in subscriber count.
• Evidence of positive feedback and engagement.

 Buffer/Contingency and Continue Uploading Videos (Month 5 and 6)

• Description: Address any additional tasks or contingencies that may arise.
• Acceptance Criteria/Proof: Flexibility to handle unforeseen challenges or pursue growth opportunities and released Videos.

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

Lewezegenet Mandefro(BSs/MSs) - 4+ Year Project Manager | Technical Lead | Blockchain Strategist

• Role: Oversees the project's execution, manages resources, and ensures timely delivery.
• Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate (CBCA) - Certificate-CBCA

Biniyam Seid : Experience in Developing Web Applications using Python and JavaScript(WEB2)

• Linkedin : Biniyams Linkedin
• Github: Biniyams Github
• Website : Biniyams Website

Hiwot Lemi - Creative Copywriter | Content Developer with more than years of experience 

• Linkedin : hiwote’s Linkedin
• Website : Hiwot_art.blog

Surafel Fikru - Blockchain Developer at Singualritynet with more than 2 year of experience    

• Experienced in programming languages such as Plutus, Haskell, Lucid, Mesh and Marlowe to build and deploy smart contracts with extensive knowledge of the Cardano blockchain
• Linkedin Profile : Linkedin Profile
• Github : Github account

Tollan S. Berhanu - AGI Research | AI Development | Cardano Blockchain | Full-stack Web

• Linkedin: Linkedin Profile
• Github : GIthub Profile

Betelhem Girmay - Human Resource and Digital Marketing Specialist

• Our team experienced professional adept at content creation, copywriting, and promotion. Betelhem will manage HR tasks while leveraging digital marketing strategies to enhance project visibility and engagement.
• Linkedin - Bethlehem's Linkedin

Partners and Groups with existing educational and experienced experts

Telegram channels : Telegram Group

Twitter Handle : Twitter / X 

General Discussion Channel : Code-Night

MLops Community : https://mlops.community/

 This community are in short 

Community Hub: Our Telegram channel serves as a vibrant hub for Ethiopians interested in blockchain technology. It's a place where enthusiasts, developers, and learners come together to share knowledge, ask questions, and explore the vast potential of blockchain.

Learning Opportunities: people Join us to access educational resources, discussions, and insights into blockchain technology. Whether they are a beginner or an expert, there's always something new to discover and learn in our community.

Networking Platform: Connect with like-minded individuals, experts, and professionals in the blockchain space. Forge valuable partnerships, collaborate on projects, and stay updated on the latest developments and opportunities in Ethiopia's blockchain ecosystem.

Community Engagement: Engage in lively discussions, community meetups, and awareness campaigns aimed at promoting blockchain adoption and innovation in Ethiopia. Be part of a movement that's shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship in our country.

Partnership Opportunities: Explore partnership opportunities with blockchain technology companies, startups, and organizations. Together, we can drive meaningful impact and create innovative solutions that benefit our community and beyond.

Note: Our teams are partnered with Binance Africa and started the Process of partnering with Polkadot., Singularitynet And more

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

Material Purchase Milestone:(1 month)

• Camera Microphones,Lighting, Software licenses, Graphic design services, Studio chair
• Meeting with blockchain expert community to list all the necessary comments
• Project manager, Technical Expert
• Some Material and Resource is already have in hands and it will reduce the cost that will be spent on the material buying lists
•  Total 18,000 ADA for the whole milestone

Content Creation and Improvements Milestone (2 months)

• Project manager, Guests, Content writer, Studio setup, Videographer, Video editor, Graphic designer, Documentation: Total 15,000 ADA

Content Launch improvements Milestone:(1 month)

• Project manager, Video Production, Marketing expenses, SEO, YouTube channel manager, Marketing Specialist: Total 10,000 ADA

Promotion and Video Upload Milestone: (1 month)

• Project manager, Social media manager, Paid advertising or sponsored content, Consistent upload schedule: Total 8,000 ADA

Promotion and Weekly Video Upload Milestone: (1 month)

• Project manager, Social media manager, Paid advertising or sponsored content, Consistent upload schedule: Total 4,000 ADA

Risk / Contingency Reserve: 5000 ADA

Reserved for addressing unforeseen challenges or additional needs during project execution.

Total Budget Cost: 60000 (Assume 1 ADA 0.35 USD)

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

The project offers significant value to the Cardano ecosystem through:

• Education and Awareness: Producing Amharic in East Africa, Ethiopia content to educate and raise awareness, fostering ecosystem growth.
• Community Engagement: Open-source approach encourages collaboration, leveraging collective expertise.
• Language Localization: Targeting Amharic-speaking communities enhances inclusivity and adoption.
• Long-Term Impact: Commitment to open-source ensures enduring availability and relevance.
• Cost Efficiency: Careful cost management maximizes resource impact, delivering quality within budget.
• Cost Justification: the project leverages existing resources, expertise, and audience base established through the HAB - CODE YouTube channel. Therefore, making the project a cost-effective investment for the Cardano ecosystem.

This project's cost efficiency and focus on education, community engagement, language localization, and long-term impact demonstrate its value for the Cardano ecosystem, contributing to growth and sustainability.

NOTE: As the YouTube channel gains traction and viewership, there is potential for monetization through ad revenue, sponsorships, and partnerships. This revenue stream could contribute to the self-sustainability of the project, ensuring its longevity and continued impact within the Cardano ecosystem.