Cardano Governance Working Groups in Universities

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Cristian Jair Rojas Velez

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

Individual

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

100000

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

10

[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 create Cardano Governance Groups in universities to educate students on blockchain governance and encourage participation in Project Catalyst, building future leaders for Cardano’s adoption.

[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

It is not technical but all information will be made public

[METADATA] Horizons

Governance

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution is to establish Cardano Governance Working Groups in universities to address the lack of education and engagement around blockchain governance. Many students and academic communities are unfamiliar with how governance in decentralized systems, like Cardano, works or how they can actively participate in it. By creating these working groups, we will fill this gap and foster a new generation of blockchain-savvy leaders.

Problem Solved:

We are solving the problem of low awareness and participation in Cardano governance among university students. Currently, there are few opportunities for students to learn about decentralized decision-making processes or get involved in governance initiatives like Project Catalyst. Without early exposure, the future leaders of decentralized ecosystems may miss the chance to shape these systems from the ground up.

Approach and Rationale:

Our approach is to integrate Cardano governance education into university environments through workshops, seminars, and working groups. These groups will provide a structured way for students, faculty, and community leaders to learn, discuss, and participate in governance initiatives. Universities are ideal environments for this kind of grassroots engagement due to their emphasis on education, debate, and leadership development.

We chose this approach because it allows us to build sustainable, long-term engagement. Students who participate in these groups will be well-positioned to contribute to Cardano’s governance for years to come, both within Project Catalyst and in other governance initiatives.

Who Will Be Engaged:

• Students and Faculty at partner universities will directly benefit from the workshops, gaining knowledge and hands-on experience with Cardano governance.
• Cardano Community Leaders will be involved as guest speakers and mentors, sharing their experiences with decentralized governance.
• University Administrators will benefit from introducing innovative governance education into their programs, positioning their institutions as leaders in blockchain education.

Measuring Impact:

We will demonstrate impact by:

1. Number of university partnerships and working groups established.
2. Participation levels in workshops and seminars (students, faculty, and community members).
3. Active involvement of students in Project Catalyst and other Cardano governance initiatives post-workshop.
4. Feedback surveys from participants to measure knowledge gained and interest in continued involvement in Cardano’s ecosystem.

Unique Value of the Solution:

This initiative is unique because it focuses on long-term engagement through educational institutions, creating a structured pipeline of future leaders for the Cardano ecosystem. By empowering students early, we can ensure that the next generation understands decentralized governance and is ready to contribute to Cardano’s growth. This will not only increase awareness but also active participation in Cardano’s governance processes, helping to expand its global footprint.

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

Our project will have a significant positive impact on the Cardano community by engaging a new generation of leaders and participants in Cardano governance. Through the establishment of Cardano Governance Working Groups in universities, we will provide students, faculty, and university administrators with the knowledge and tools to actively participate in decentralized governance. This will help strengthen the Cardano ecosystem by growing a community that understands the importance of governance and is ready to contribute to its future.

Value to the Cardano Community:

By educating students on the importance of Cardano governance and enabling them to engage in initiatives such as Project Catalyst, our project will:

• Increase awareness and participation in Cardano governance processes, driving more on-chain governance actions.
• Build a pipeline of future leaders who are knowledgeable about decentralized decision-making, ensuring the long-term sustainability of Cardano.
• Expand Cardano’s global reach by introducing blockchain governance education to universities, helping to onboard new users and contributors from academic environments.

Measuring Impact:

We will measure the impact of our project through both quantitative and qualitative metrics:

• Quantitative Metrics:
• The number of university partnerships established and the number of working groups created.
• Attendance and participation rates at workshops, seminars, and governance sessions (tracking the number of students, faculty, and administrators involved).
• The increase in student participation in Project Catalyst and other Cardano governance initiatives after attending the workshops.
• Qualitative Metrics:
• Feedback surveys from participants, gathering insights on their knowledge gained, interest in continuing engagement with Cardano, and ideas for future governance initiatives.
• Case studies from students who transition into active roles within the Cardano community after completing the program.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

We will share the outcomes and opportunities from our project in several ways:

• Public Reporting: We will publish a detailed report on the progress and results of the working groups, including key metrics, challenges faced, and lessons learned. This will be made available to the Cardano community through Project Catalyst updates and on Cardano forums.
• Educational Materials: All educational resources developed, including presentations, videos, and handbooks, will be made available online for free access. This ensures that other universities and community groups can replicate or adapt our model.
• Community Engagement: We will share the project’s success stories and future opportunities at Cardano community events and on social media, ensuring that the broader ecosystem can benefit from the knowledge and outcomes generated by the working groups.

By fostering engagement, education, and active participation, our project will directly contribute to the growth of the Cardano ecosystem, creating lasting value and preparing future leaders to sustain Cardano’s vision of a decentralized future.

[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 has the expertise, experience, and track record to deliver this project with high levels of trust, accountability, and success. We have already demonstrated our ability to manage similar initiatives, especially within the Cardano ecosystem, and have the necessary partnerships in place to execute this proposal effectively.

Team Capabilities:

Cristian Rojas – Project Leader:

Cristian brings extensive experience in project management and has led several successful initiatives within the Cardano community, including Cardano governance initiatives:

• Leading in Mexico the proposal funded in fund10 "Universities Onboarding to Cardano" from Latam Community.
• Representing Cardano Latam Community in "Cardano Days" , Guadalajara , Mexico.

I´m hosted two CIP-1694 workshops in Mexico, participating in the Pan-latam workshop in Uruguay and participating in the final workshop in Edinburgh. all this workshops related to governance.

• Co-authored the Latina American regional conclusions document
• (https://github.com/latamcardano/CIP1694Workshops.)

• I have organized the DReps community workshop in Mexico City.
• I was the host and delegate for the constitutional workshop in Mexico City.
• I´m co-organizing the AMM of Intersect in Mexico City.

Erick Valadez – University Relations Coordinator:

Erick has extensive experience in university engagement and has successfully established partnerships with academic institutions. He will be responsible for securing university partnerships, organizing events, and ensuring active participation from faculty and students. Erick’s past collaborations with universities and his understanding of how to engage academic stakeholders make him the ideal person to lead this aspect of the project.

Victor Hernandez – Marketing and Design Lead:

Victor has a strong background in graphic design and marketing, ensuring the project's educational materials and promotional efforts are visually engaging and effective. He has previously managed branding and outreach for Cardano-related projects, helping to drive community engagement and adoption.

Validating Feasibility:

We will validate the feasibility of our approach through several key steps:

• Early Partnerships: By securing partnerships with universities early in the project, we ensure there is institutional support and interest in Cardano governance working groups. These partnerships will be formalized through memorandums of understanding (MOUs), guaranteeing a commitment to participate in the initiative.
• Pilot Phase Testing: Before scaling the project, we will conduct a pilot phase at two or three universities to test the engagement model, gather feedback, and make adjustments. This will help ensure that our approach is effective and scalable.
• Feedback Mechanism: Throughout the project, we will implement a feedback loop with students, faculty, and community leaders. This will allow us to validate the educational materials and governance discussions, ensuring they meet the needs of the academic environment.

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

Establish University Partnerships and Framework Design (Months 1-2)

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Secure partnerships with 3 universities to create Cardano Governance Working Groups.
• Develop a detailed framework for how the working groups will operate, including the structure for workshops, seminars, and governance discussions.

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• Formalized partnerships with universities, confirmed by signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or partnership agreements.
• A complete framework document outlining the group’s agenda, topics, governance processes, and initial schedule of activities.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Copies of the MOUs or partnership agreements with the universities.
• Submission of the framework document to Project Catalyst, including detailed agendas, timelines, and objectives for the working groups.

Conduct First Round of Workshops and Seminars (Months 3-5)

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Organize and deliver the first series of workshops and seminars at the partner universities (at least 4 for university), introducing students and faculty to Cardano governance.

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• A minimum of 30 participants for workshop across the first series of events.
• Positive feedback from participants based on post-event surveys, with at least 70% of attendees expressing interest in continuing to engage with Cardano governance.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Event reports that document attendance, include photos and videos from the workshops, and summarize key takeaways from each session.
• Survey results that capture participant feedback, including knowledge gained, interest in future participation, and suggestions for improvement.

Create and Publish Educational Resources (Months 6-8)

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Develop and publish a set of educational resources (videos, handbooks, and guides) covering Cardano governance, decentralized decision-making, and how students can get involved in governance initiatives like Project Catalyst.
• Make the resources available online for free access to students, faculty, and the broader Cardano community.

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• Creation of at least 5 educational resources (e.g., 2 videos, 1 handbook, and 2 online guides).
• Resources are made available online via a dedicated website or platform accessible to students and the Cardano community.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Links to the published resources, along with metrics on how many users have accessed or downloaded the materials.
• User feedback from students and faculty on the usefulness of the resources, gathered through surveys or online comments.

Project Close-out Report and Video (Months 9-10)

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Prepare a comprehensive Project Close-out Report, summarizing the outcomes of the working groups, challenges encountered, and future opportunities.
• Create a final project video showcasing the impact of the working groups and the educational resources produced.

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• Completion of the final report and video, detailing how the project achieved its objectives and providing a roadmap for potential expansion to additional universities.
• The report includes key metrics such as attendance numbers, educational resource downloads, and feedback from participants.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Submission of the Project Close-out Report to Project Catalyst.
• Published final video shared with the Cardano community, featuring testimonials from students, faculty, and community leaders, and highlighting the project’s success.

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

Our team consists of experienced professionals within the Cardano ecosystem, with a proven track record in delivering successful projects related to education and community engagement. Below are the key team members and their roles:

Team Members:

Cristian Rojas – Project Leader

• Twitter Profile: Cristian Rojas
• Role: Cristian serves as the Project Leader, managing the overall execution of the proposal. With extensive experience in project management and leadership within the Cardano community, he will ensure that all phases of the project are completed on time and meet the defined milestones.
• Responsibilities:
• Coordinating university partnerships and overseeing the organization of events and workshops.
• Leading the development of educational resources for Cardano governance.
• Managing the project timeline and budget, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Erick Valadez – University Relations & Community Engagement Coordinator

• Twitter Profile: Erick Valadez
• Role: Erick will focus on building and maintaining relationships with universities and managing community engagement activities. His experience in university outreach makes him the ideal person to establish and maintain these partnerships effectively.
• Responsibilities:
• Leading the outreach efforts and securing partnerships with universities to establish the working groups.
• Organizing and coordinating events, workshops, and seminars in collaboration with university partners.
• Acting as the Community Engagement Specialist, managing online platforms (Discord, Telegram) to engage with the Cardano community and ensure broad participation in the project.

Victor Hernandez – Marketing, Design & Documentation Lead

• LinkedIn Profile: Victor Hernandez
• Role: Victor will lead the marketing, design, and documentation efforts for the project. With a strong background in graphic design and marketing, he will create the visual materials needed for branding and educational outreach. Additionally, he will manage the reporting and documentation process, ensuring all deliverables are recorded and presented professionally.
• Responsibilities:
• Designing promotional materials and visual content for workshops, seminars, and educational resources.
• Developing the final project video and producing educational guides that are engaging and easy to understand.
• Managing project documentation, including the preparation of progress reports, event summaries, and the final project report.

All team members have disclosed their roles and responsibilities in this proposal. We will maintain transparency in all project activities, including financial reporting and progress updates, to adhere to Catalyst’s standards. We will obtain necessary consent for sharing third-party information publicly.

By maximizing the strengths and capabilities of our current team members, we ensure that the project is executed efficiently and effectively, delivering high-impact results for the Cardano community.

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

Partnership Establishment and Framework Design (Months 1-2)

• University Partnership Development: ₳12,00
• Includes travel expenses, communication costs, and materials needed for securing partnerships with universities. Ensures the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and initial collaboration agreements.

Total for Phase 1: ₳12,000

Workshop and Seminar Implementation (Months 3-5)

For 12 workshops, the breakdown of costs per workshop and the total cost for this phase is as follows:

• Venue, Food & Drinks (₳1,400 per workshop):  
• Total for 12 workshops: ₳16,800  

• Travel Expenses for 3 persons (₳1,300 per workshop):  
• Total for 12 workshops: ₳15,600  

• Banners & Roll-ups (₳2,000 total for all workshops):  
• Total for all workshops: ₳2,000  

• Merchandise (Bag, notebook & pen, t-shirt, cap) for up to 105 attendees:  
• Adjusted cost for 105 attendees (35 per workshop for 3 Universities): ₳10,700  

*there are 4 different pieces of merchandise, as there are 4 workshops per university, only one piece will be given in each workshop until completing all 4 by attending all the workshops.

Total for Phase 2 (all workshops combined): ₳45,100

Educational Resource Development (Months 6-8)

• Video Production and Content Creation: ₳14,200 
• Professional production of educational videos covering Cardano governance, decentralized decision-making, and how students can engage with Project Catalyst.
• Handbook and Online Guide Development:  ₳7,700
• Design and production of handbooks and digital guides for students and faculty, providing comprehensive resources that support long-term engagement in Cardano governance.
• Website Development and Hosting:  ₳2,500

Total for Phase 3: ₳24,400

Marketing, Community Engagement, and Project Close-out (Months 8-10)

• Marketing and Promotion Campaigns:  ₳4,500
• Budget for online and offline marketing campaigns to promote the working groups and drive attendance to the workshops and seminars.
• Final Project Video Production:  ₳1,500
• Professional production of the final project video showcasing the success and impact of the working groups.
• Project Reporting and Documentation:  
• Project management: ₳5,000
• Contingency fund: ₳7,500

Total for Phase 4: ₳18,500

Summary of Total Costs in ADA

1. Partnership Establishment and Framework Design: ₳12,000 
2. Workshop and Seminar Implementation (12 workshops): ₳45,100  
3. Educational Resource Development: ₳24,400
4. Marketing, Community Engagement, and Project Close-out:   ₳18,500

Grand Total: 100,000 ADA

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

The cost of this project represents excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem by directly targeting the next generation of blockchain leaders—university students—and educating them on Cardano’s governance processes. By organizing 12 workshops across multiple universities, we ensure a broad and impactful reach that will drive long-term growth and engagement within the Cardano community.

Context and Cost Justification:

Workshop Costs:

The total cost of 45,100 ADA for organizing 12 workshops includes venue, logistics, merchandise, and materials for 105 students (35 students per workshop in a 4 series workshops per university ). This allocation ensures that each event provides a high-quality experience, engaging students with hands-on learning opportunities and expert speakers. The breakdown reflects local market prices in Mexico and the broader Latin American region, where event organization costs are generally lower compared to other regions, making this investment cost-efficient for the scale of the impact.

Educational Resource Development:

We have allocated 24,400 ADA for developing comprehensive educational materials, including professional video content and handbooks. This cost is proportional to the rates of video production services and graphic design in Mexico, which are more affordable than in North America or Europe. By creating reusable and accessible resources, we maximize the return on investment, as these materials will continue to educate and engage beyond the duration of the workshops, extending the project’s impact at a relatively low cost.

Marketing and Community Engagement & Contingency fund:

The 18,500 ADA allocated for marketing, promotional campaigns, and community engagement & contingency fund is essential to ensure strong attendance and awareness of the Cardano Governance Working Groups. We will utilize a mix of digital and physical advertising strategies, optimized for local costs, making the most out of our budget to engage students and academic staff effectively.

Proportionality and Efficiency:

The overall budget has been structured with efficiency in mind, using local market prices and leveraging the lower average wage rates in Mexico to maximize the project’s impact within the allocated funds. The costs for event organization, video production, and educational material development are all aligned with typical rates in the industry, ensuring that every ADA spent contributes directly to the success and reach of the project.

Long-term Impact for the Cardano Ecosystem:

Investing in education and community building at the university level is a strategic move that offers long-term returns for the Cardano ecosystem:

• Pipeline of Future Leaders: By educating students early, we create a pipeline of knowledgeable individuals who will likely become active participants in Cardano’s governance, contributing to Project Catalyst and other initiatives for years to come.
• Sustainable Community Growth: The partnerships we establish with universities will foster ongoing collaboration, ensuring that Cardano’s presence in academic environments continues to grow even after the initial workshops.
• Reusable Resources: The educational materials produced will remain available as open resources for other universities and communities, multiplying the project’s impact without incurring additional costs.