Cardano Community in Zimbabwe’s Universities

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Shelton Mwanza

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

Individual

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

9

[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)

We will build a Cardano community in three leading universities in Zimbabwe, that will focus on exploring, spearheading and driving the mainstreaming, development and adoption of Cardano solutions.

[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.”

None

[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

N/A

[METADATA] Horizons

Community

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Problem Statement:

Imagine living your life in a country that has had multiple currency failures and a banking system that is . A nation in which you search for a system that can help deal with currency instability and an unreliable banking system. This has been the story of Zimbabwe, to be precise, I have experienced the pain of waking up and all the money you had is rendered valueless. I have lived an unbanked life because you can't trust your country's banking system. This is the story of millions of Zimbabweans.

Zimbabwe has suffered from repeated currency failures, making it an ideal candidate for blockchain solutions and cryptocurrency adoption. The absence of a structured blockchain community and educational infrastructure has limited the potential for blockchain mass adoption. It has also hindered the development of innovative solutions that could leverage cryptocurrency for payments and economic resilience. To help address the above there is need for a robust on the ground Cardano community of like-minded individuals focusing on solutions that are scalable and suitable for mass adoption in Zimbabwe and beyond. The journey begins with educational campaigns and community building. By focusing on university students—who represent Zimbabwe’s future leaders and innovators—this project taps into their sharp minds and innovative potential to find Cardano-based solutions to Zimbabwe’s financial challenges.

 

Solution:

This initiative will introduce and grow a Cardano community targeting three leading universities in Zimbabwe, namely: University of Zimbabwe (UZ) in Harare, Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) in Chinhoyi, and National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo. This will be done over a 9-month period, we will host educational events, blockchain competitions, and corporate engagement panels to drive development and adoption of Cardano-based solutions.

I believe that blockchain solutions can help solve many of the problems that numerous people are experiencing in terms of banking and finance including those related to currency failure in Zimbabwe. It is from this background that we propose to build an active Cardano community in Zimbabwe. The main objective is to eventually come up with Cardano based solutions that help address the challenges faced by many individuals in numerous places including Zimbabwe. Our initial goal is to educate, reinforce and build a Zimbabwean Cardano community in our journey to developing Cardano's based solutions that will aid many Zimbabweans and other individuals in various nations to deal with various banking and finance related issues.

We aim to create a sustainable community through:

 

1.    Educational Events & Awareness - Which will be held in three rounds:

a.  First round of events will introduce blockchain technology and its use cases using Cardano as the main focus. It will also involve some practical demonstration sessions and community formation.

b.  Second round of events are meant to reinforce knowledge, and grow the community.

c. The final round of events are meant to develop a think tank for scalable on the ground Cardano solutions for Zimbabwe and beyond.

d. We will focus on raising awareness about career options in blockchain, including development, DeFi, NFTs, business, national and worldwide solutions.

e. Distribute educational materials on blockchain, DeFi, and Cardano solutions.

2.    Competitions:

We will hold the competitions during and in between the events such as:

a. Essay competitions (with up to 1,000 ADA in prizes), encouraging students to explore how Cardano solutions can be developed for Zimbabwe.

c. Hold quzzies during the events

b.  Conduct weekly trivia sessions after the first event, with 300 ADA awarded to winners.

3. Corporate Engagement:

a. Organise discussions on DeFi and what can be done to work on creating Cardano solutions in Zimbabwean commerce and finance with the corporate world.

b. Focus on Zimbabwe’s potential for cryptocurrency mass adoption in payments, DeFi and the role of NFTs.

4. Online Community Building:

a. Maintain active Whatsapp, Telegram, YouTube, and X accounts, providing continuous education, engagement, and updates.

b. Monthly quizzes and discussions on Cardano use cases, encouraging participation and real-world application.

5. Future Maintenance of the Community:

a. A portion of the funds will be allocated to maintaining the Telegram, WHatsapp, YouTube, and X platforms, creating ongoing content, and facilitating monthly ADA airdrops to encourage continuous participation.

b. Long-term partnerships with university faculties and corporate sponsors to keep the Cardano community active and engaged beyond the project’s 9-month period.

6.  Explore decentralized solutions:

The community will be encouraged to envisage and develop solutions that can run on Cardano that address real-world problems in Zimbabwe and rest of the world, using their expertise to propose real-world blockchain applications for secure, decentralised financial systems.

 

Goals:

We seek to:

1. Raise Blockchain Awareness: We aim to educate Zimbabwean university students on blockchain technology, using Cardano as the only primary case study.

2. Drive Cryptocurrency Adoption: Another goal of ours is to promote Cardano solutions as a possibility for improving Zimbabwe’s financial standing, currency failure, and economic resilience.

3. Empower Students with Career Options: We also want to expose students as much as possible to blockchain career opportunities in development, DeFi, NFTs, and business and educational application

4. Build a Sustainable and Active Community: This project will establish a long-term, engaged Cardano community in Zimbabwe that grows beyond university campuses.

5. Raise Awareness on Cardano Project Funding: We will also educate students on how Cardano can assist in funding and supporting viable blockchain solutions through Project Catalyst.

6. Engage Corporate Stakeholders: We seek to facilitate discussions with businesses to explore integration of Cardano products into their operations.

7. Increase Participation in Cardano programs: We will encourage the community to constantly participate in Cardano online communities such as Town Hall, 45bs, Catalyst Community Review and Cardano Academy.

• We will encourage our community to enroll and go through material at Cardano Academy.

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

This project will significantly contribute to the global Cardano community by:

1. Creating a Cardano community in Zimbabwe:

• Through educating and community-building, this project will increase awareness and adoption of Cardano based solutions as a tool for economic resilience and decentralised finance, which will result in growth in the greater Cardano Community in Zimbabwe and as whole.

2. Building blockchain knowledge and skills:

• By targeting university students, our project will empower a new generation of blockchain developers, and innovators who can contribute to the wider Cardano ecosystem.

3. Corporate partnerships:

• We will engage key corporate players in Zimbabwe’s finance and business sectors, the project will help present real-world applications of Cardano products, potentially leading to mass adoption of the currency.

4. Building a think tank for blockchain-based solutions for real-world challenges:

• The project will encourage students to develop ideas that leverage Cardano to address Zimbabwe’s repeated currency and banking sector failures, helping the nation renewed sense of financial trust

[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?

The project team is highly capable of delivering this initiative:

1. Shelton Mwanza I have worked with https://www.zimbo.cash/ (Zimbocash), in organising and conducting workshops focused on introducing a digital currency for Zimbabwe and recruiting ambassadors across Zimbabwe since 2019.

2. Romeo Musemburi founded the Economics Students Association of Zimbabwe (ESAZ) and has a strong background in organizing educational events. His MBA and leadership experience will ensure that the project runs efficiently and achieves its objectives. He has also been a part of the Zimbocash movement, which is still working on solutions to Zimbabwe currency problems.

3. Logistical Feasibility, Our events will be held a week apart for each university (in 3 weeks per round), rotating between UZ in Harare, CUT in Chinhoyi, and NUST in Bulawayo. These three consists of the largest universities in Zimbabwe that are finance and technologically oriented, this will ensure access reasonable, engaged student population.

We will validate feasibility by:

1. Tracking event participation: We have set each event to have attendance goals that are set at 50-75 students for the first round and 75-100 students for the second round and the same number for the final round.

2. Provide Reports: As is mandatory in all Catalyst projects we will provide reports after achieving each milestone and upon request.

3. Measuring corporate interest: Our success will be measured by the number of corporate discussions around building or adopting Cardono based solutions. we make

4. Community growth metrics: We aim for 300-500 active Whatsapp members, 300-500 active Telegram members, 200-300 YouTube subscribers, and 300-500 X followers by the end of the 9-month project period.

5. Community involvement and feedback: We want to empower members to share their views on sustaining and growing the community. 

Publicity Strategy:

We are not hiring a marketer but will rely on cost-effective student-driven promotion:

1. Posters:

• We will print posters that will be placed on notice boards at high-traffic campus locations, such as the library, hostels, faculty entrances, canteens, and main entrances.
• University representatives will handle poster placement and ensure they are visible in key areas.

2. Digital Flyers:

• We will create digital flyers to be distributed across student platforms on social media (e.g., WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels) to reach a larger audience and encourage participation.

3. Social Media:

• X (Twitter): We will make regular posts and updates on upcoming events, competitions, and Cardano learning materials.
• Telegram & WhatsApp: We and the and the university representatives will manage these groups to share event details, educational materials, and provide ongoing engagement. The university representatives will also make use of platforms that they manage outside our own to for marketing.

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

First Round (Kick-off and Setup, months 1-3

Budget Allocation: 29,150 ADA

• Secure partnerships with UZ, NUST, and CUT.
• Secure educational material on the blockchain and Cardano Solutions
• Organize introductory blockchain events at UZ, NUST, and CUT.
•  Produce promotional materials (flyers, T-shirts, banners) and social media platforms (Whatsapp, Telegram, YouTube, X).
• Host first introductory events at the three universities.
• Materials: Organise for venue, T-shirts for team members and to reward participants, banners, acquisition of projector and camera and organize accommodation for team members.

Second Round (Reinforce Community Building, months 4-6

First Competitions and Corporate Engagement

Budget Allocation: 36,150 ADA

• Competition: Launch essay competition (1,000 ADA in prizes).
• Initiate corporate discussions on crypto and blockchain solutions.
• Host reinforcement events at UZ, NUST, and CUT.
• Competitions: Run quizzies and trivia competitions
• Organise for venue, T-shirts for new members, and organize accommodation for team members and conduct corporate meetups

N/A

NA

N/A

Final Round (Final Events and Long-term Engagement, 7-9 months)

Final Events and Community Sustainability (Month 9)

Budget Allocation: 34,190 ADA

• Competitions: Second essay competition
• Competitions: Weekly trivia and quizzes
• Host final university events to present competition winners and future plans for the community.
• Install outdoor Cardano bins
• Ensure long-term sustainability by allocating funds for platform maintenance and monthly engagement activities.
• Events: Host final events and plan for long-term meetups to sustain the community.
• Organise for venue, T-shirts for new members and to reward participants, Cardano bins and organize accommodation for team members.

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

1. Shelton Mwanza – Community Leader

LinkedIn: Shelton Mwanza Telegram: https://t.me/shelmwanza

Role:

Oversees the project, ensuring milestones are met and relationships with corporate and university stakeholders are managed.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the coordination of events across the three universities.
• Ensures attendance goals are met for each event.
• Handles online registration using https://lu.ma
• Manage communications with corporate partners to explore development and adoption of Cardano in Zimbabwe’s financial sector.
• Make reports on project progress to the Cardano Catalyst community.
• Handle resource distribution
• Helps administer education and overall event and community management
• Send regular posts on social media communities to keep community engaged.
• Work on make sure that the what is needed for the event is available on time, such as T-shirts, food, bins and promotional material

2. Romeo Musemburi – Community Manager

Telegram: https://t.me/TanyaMuse

Role:

Manages content creation, competition organisation, and community engagement.

Responsibilities:

• Organise and manage essay, quiz and trivia competitions, ensuring proper tracking of submissions and the selection of winners.
• Plan and supervise the creation of educational content for events, Telegram, X, and WhatsApp channels.
• Develop and distribute quizzes, and lead discussions within the community.
• Assist with event logistics, including venue setup, T-shirt distribution, and prize management.
• Keeps a database of members

3. University Representatives (2 from UZ, 2 from NUST, 2 from CUT)

Role:

Responsible for on-the-ground coordination, event setup, and student engagement.

Responsibilities:

• Distribute posters across high-traffic areas on campus (e.g., library, hostels, faculty buildings, canteens, and entrances).
• Handle event setup and on the ground registration of attendees.
• Help create video content for YouTube and manage social media engagement on X and Telegram/WhatsApp groups, we desire to make use and empower students in the process.
• Monitor community engagement and support participants in joining the online communities.
• Help in other community related campaigns

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

Budget Breakdown

Milestone 1

Total Costs: 29,150 ADA

Costs:

• Logistics for university partnerships (travel and accommodation)1200 ADA
• Snacks and Refreshments (15 ADA* 50* 3) 3,375 ADA
• Lunch: (25 ADA* 75 *3) 5,625 ADA
• T-shirts (30 ADA* 65 * 3) 5,850 ADA
• Publicity: 450 ADA
• Mini Projector - 320, Camera - 300 and 3 Banners – 215 ADA* 3 (once off) 1,265 ADA
• Airdrop for attendees – (375 ADA* 3) 1,125 ADA
• Event quiz rewards: (300 ADA * 3) 900 ADA
• Event capture (PA system, videos, photos): 1, 200 ADA
• Team incentives (distributed monthly): 3,600ADA
• Internet (3 months): 450 ADA
• Guest Appreciation: 600 ADA
• Other logistics (accommodation for 225 ADA 3, transport for 180 ADA 3, Venues – 515 ADA * 3):  2,760 ADA
• Milestone Reporting: 300 ADA
• Contigency 450 ADA

Milestone 2

Total Costs: 36,160 ADA

Costs:

• Snacks and Refreshments (15 ADA* 80 * 3) 3,600 ADA
• Lunch: (25 ADA* 100 * 3) 7,500 ADA
• T-shirts (30 ADA* 75 * 3) 6,750 ADA
• Publicity: 450 ADA
• Airdrop for attendees – (500 ADA* 3) 1,500 ADA
• Event quiz rewards: 900 ADA
• Essay Prizes: 1,000 ADA
• Trivia rewards 900 ADA
• Event capture (PA system, videos, photos): 1, 200 ADA
• Team incentives (distributed monthly): 4,200 ADA
• Internet (3 months): 450 ADA
• Guest Appreciation: 600 ADA
• Other logistics (accommodation for 225 ADA * 3, transport for 180 ADA * 3, Venues – 515 ADA * 3):  2,760 ADA
• Corporate meet ups (Transport, logistics team incentives) 3,600 ADA
•  Rewards for Top Achievers at Cardano Academy: 500 ADA
• Milestone Reporting: 300 ADA
• Contigency 450 ADA

Milestone 3

Total Costs: 34,190 ADA

Costs:

• Snacks and Refreshments (15 ADA* 80 * 3) 3,600 ADA
• Lunch: (25 ADA* 100 * 3) 7,500 ADA
• T-shirts (30 ADA* 75 * 3) 6,750 ADA
• Publicity: 450 ADA
• Airdrop for attendees – (500 ADA* 3) 1,500 ADA
• Event quiz rewards: 900 ADA
• Essay Prizes: 1,000 ADA
• Trivia rewards 900 ADA
•  Event capture (PA system, videos, photos): 1, 200 ADA
• Team incentives (distributed monthly): 4,200 ADA
• Internet (3 months): 450 ADA
• Guest Appreciation: 600 ADA
• Other logistics (accommodation for 225 ADA * 3, transport for 180 ADA * 3, Venues – 515 ADA * 3):  2,760 ADA
• Printed Outdoor bins plus transport (72 ADA*15) 1,080 ADA
• Rewards for Top Achievers at Cardano Academy: 500 ADA
• Close-up and Milestone Reporting: 350 ADA
• Contigency 450 ADA

Grand Total: 100000 ADA (Aprox. 35236 USD) 21.10.24

Aggregate Budget

• Logistics for University Partnerships: 1,200 ADA (1.2%)
• Snacks and Refreshments: 10,575 ADA (10.6%)
• Lunch: 20,625 ADA (20.7%)
• T-shirts: 20,250 ADA (20.3%)
• Publicity: 1,350 ADA (1.4%)
• Mini Projector, Camera, Banners (once-off): 1,265 ADA (1.3%)
• irdrop for Attendees: 4,125 ADA (4.1%)
• Event Quiz Rewards: 2,700 ADA (2.7%)
• Essay Prizes: 2,000 ADA (2.0%)
• Monthly Trivia/Quiz Rewards: 2,700 ADA (2.7%)
• Rewards for Top Achievers at Cardano Academy: 1,000 ADA (1%)
• Event Capture (PA system, videos, photos): 3,600 ADA (3.6%)
• Team Incentives: 12,000 ADA (12.0%)
• Internet: 1,350 ADA (1.4%)
• Guest Appreciation: 1,800 ADA (1.8%)
• Other Logistics (Travel, Transport, Venues): 8,385 ADA (8.4%)
• Corporate Meetups: 3,600 ADA (3.6%)
• Printed Outdoor Bins and Transport: 1,080 ADA (1.1%)
• Milestone Reporting and Contingency: 2,300 ADA (2.3%)

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

The proposed budget of 100000 ADA (approx. 35,236 USD) on 02.10.24 ensures a cost-effective approach to building a long-term, sustainable Cardano community in Zimbabwe by focusing on several key areas:

1. Widespread Educational Impact

• 51.450 ADA (51.5% of the total budget) is allocated to T-shirts, snacks, and lunch. These elements not only incentivise participation but also effectively brand the initiative. By fostering an engaging, inclusive, and motivating environment, we enhance the overall student experience.
• The events aim to reach three major universities, targeting a total attendance of 50-75 students in the first round, 75-100 students in the second round, and 75-100 students in the third round for each university. This significant outreach provides extensive exposure to blockchain technology and Cardano Solutions, making it a worthwhile investment per participant

2. Competitions and Incentives

• 12,025 ADA (approximately 12.03% of the budget) is allocated to rewards and airdrops, which will motivate students to actively engage with the Cardano ecosystem. These incentives will encourage participation in competitions, enhancing knowledge retention and the practical application of blockchain concepts .
• Organising essay competitions and quiz rewards fosters competitive engagement, offering real-world rewards in ADA that will encourage mass adoption and exploration of Cardano's capabilities, ultimately aiming to find solutions to Zimbabwe's currency challenges.
• Encouraging members to attends Cardano Academy will help the community grow to know more about Cardano and will help in improving the community's ability to see and run with the broader community vision

3. Corporate Engagement and Community Sustainability

• Investment in corporate engagement and partnerships fintech, and SMEs ensures that the project not only educates students but also actively involves Zimbabwe's business sector. This collaboration promotes steps towards developing and introducing Cardano solutions that help meet the needs of the market.
• The budget for long-term community building (e.g., Internet and reserve for small meet-ups, totaling 4,950 ADA) guarantees that the community remains active beyond the initial 9-month period. This creates an ongoing support structure for students and stakeholders to collaborate on blockchain projects, reinforcing the project's sustainability.

4. Cost Efficiency in Event Management

• Event logistics will include PA systems, videos, photos, amount to 3,600 ADA, ensuring professional-quality event capture. This will enhance the image of Cardano and provides valuable content for further outreach efforts.
• Venue and transport costs are capped at 9,585 ADA (approximately 9.59% of the budget), employing cost-effective transport solutions, thereby maximising budget efficiency.

4. Inclusion of Technology Support

• A one-time investment on a camera and projector (620 ADA) provides reusable equipment for recording events and facilitating future meetups, making the solution scalable for similar initiatives across other ventures.

5. Future Scalability and International Collaboration

• Partnerships with other Cardano communities outside Zimbabwe will offer us global exposure, allowing for resource sharing and knowledge transfer that enhances the community's value. This foundation will help pave the way for future expansions and collaborative efforts.
• The focus on career opportunities in blockchain and highlighting Cardano’s funding potential aims to sustain long-term interest, ensuring that participants remain engaged even after the main events conclude hence funds need to be set aside for that .