Cardano Students Challenge: Towards Francophone Innovation

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Samuel Wanzaluendo Samuel

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[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

Yes

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

We will organize a university competition with online training on Cardano to educate students in Francophone Africa, encouraging them to propose innovative ideas that use blockchain technology.

[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

We are committed to making this project fully open source, allowing all materials, documentation, and related code to be freely available throughout the project's lifecycle. This is to ensure that the broader blockchain community, particularly the Cardano ecosystem, benefits from the project’s outputs.

License:

The project will be released under the MIT License, providing maximum flexibility for use, modification, and distribution while promoting collaboration and innovation within the community.

Open Source Components:

• Educational Materials: All training materials, guides, and resources created for the students during the challenge will be made publicly available. This includes presentations, articles, and any learning materials related to blockchain and the Cardano ecosystem.
• Code Samples and DApps: Any coding examples, smart contracts, or decentralized applications (DApps) developed as part of the student projects will be open sourced. This will allow other students, developers, and enthusiasts to study, use, or build upon these ideas.
• Competition Framework: The rules, guidelines, and scoring frameworks used to assess student submissions will also be open source, enabling other institutions or organizations to replicate or adapt the competition in their regions.

Further Information:

By making the project open source, we aim to foster greater collaboration and ensure that the tools and knowledge created during this initiative contribute to the long-term growth and adoption of the Cardano blockchain, especially in French-speaking countries. This open-source model will empower future students and innovators to expand on the foundation laid during the challenge.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our solution is to organize a university competition that introduces students in Francophone African universities to Cardano through online training and mentorship. We see the problem as a lack of awareness and understanding of blockchain technology, specifically Cardano, within these regions, which limits innovation and local solutions. By using a hands-on approach that combines education with an incentive-driven competition, we can engage students, encourage them to think critically about Cardano’s applications, and help them propose innovative ideas related to real-world problems.

Our approach focuses on education and active participation. The project will engage university students by offering free online training sessions on Cardano, followed by a competition where students submit articles or project ideas that explore the potential of Cardano in solving local challenges. Winners will receive scholarships, funded via Cardano, promoting adoption in academic environments.

The impact will be demonstrated by the number of students trained, articles submitted, and the implementation of blockchain-based solutions proposed by the students. This initiative is crucial for Cardano because it spreads awareness, fosters innovation, and promotes Cardano as a tool for solving issues within Francophone Africa—an untapped region with immense potential for blockchain growth.

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

The project will:

• Increase Adoption: Engage francophone African students, introducing Cardano and expanding its user base in new markets.
• Develop Talent: Build a skilled pool of students familiar with Cardano who can innovate and contribute to the ecosystem.
• Strengthen Credibility: Showcase Cardano’s transparency through blockchain-based scholarships, enhancing its reputation.
• Foster Partnerships: Collaborate with local communities and universities, creating hubs for Cardano knowledge and future projects.

Impact Measurement

Quantitative Metrics:

• Student Enrollment: Aim for 200 students in online Cardano training.
• Article Submissions: Target at least 30 proposals.
• Blockchain Transactions: Track scholarships distributed via Cardano.

Qualitative Metrics:

• Feedback & Testimonials: Gather participant insights on training and career impact.
• Success Stories: Monitor scholarship recipients’ academic and professional progress.

Sharing Outputs

• Publication: Share winning articles on community platforms.
• Transparency Reports: Publish metrics on enrollments, submissions, and transactions.
• Webinars: Host sessions with winners to discuss ideas and promote knowledge exchange.
• Partnerships: Engage Cardano ambassadors to amplify reach and opportunities.

[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?

1. Capability to Deliver with Trust and Accountability:

• Our team has experience in managing academic programs, blockchain projects, and community engagement initiatives. We are well-versed in coordinating educational events and have strong connections with francophone African universities, ensuring broad participation.
• We have partnered with Cardano ambassadors and blockchain experts to design the training modules, ensuring high-quality content delivery and guidance for participants.

2. Feasibility and Validation Approach:

• We conducted a pilot survey among target universities to gauge interest and found a strong demand for blockchain training, confirming the feasibility of our approach.
• Training modules will be co-created with blockchain experts from the Cardano community, ensuring content relevance and practical application.

3. Managing Funds with Transparency:

• We will use Cardano’s blockchain for all financial transactions, including scholarships and rewards, ensuring transparency and traceability.
• Funds will be managed through smart contracts, releasing scholarships only when pre-set conditions are met (e.g., verification of student enrollment), ensuring accountability.
• We will provide regular public reports detailing the project’s progress, expenses, and outcomes, allowing the community to monitor the responsible use of funds.

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

Awareness Campaign & Online Training Setup (25,000 ADA)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Launch of a social media awareness campaign targeting francophone African universities.
• Development and deployment of online training modules on Cardano basics.
• Enrollment of at least 200 students in the training program.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Social media campaign reaches a minimum of 10,000 impressions and engages at least 1,000 students.
• Online training platform is live, functional, and accessible to all enrolled students.
• A minimum of 200 students successfully register and begin the training.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Analytics reports from social media platforms showing campaign reach and engagement.
• User access logs and registration data from the online training platform demonstrating student enrollments.
• Screenshots and testimonials from students accessing and engaging with the training materials.

Article Submission & Evaluation (10,000 ADA)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Collection of a minimum of 30 articles or project proposals from participating student teams.
• Evaluation process conducted by a panel of experts to assess the submissions.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• At least 30 valid and complete submissions received by the deadline.
• Evaluation rubric and scores recorded for all articles by the expert panel.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Database of received submissions with timestamps and student details.
• Evaluation reports with scores and feedback for each submission.

Scholarship and Reward Distribution (55,000 ADA)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Transparent distribution of scholarships and rewards through Cardano’s blockchain.
• Announcement of winners and public sharing of results.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Scholarships and rewards disbursed to winners via verified blockchain transactions.
• Public communication of winners and impact stories through social media and university channels.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Blockchain transaction records showing successful and traceable scholarship transfers.
• Public posts, reports, and testimonials from winners about their experience and benefits received.

Post-Competition Engagement & Reporting (10,000 ADA)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Hosting of webinars and discussions with winners to share their ideas and experiences.
• Publishing of a final report summarizing the project’s impact, achievements, and lessons learned.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• At least two webinars conducted with a minimum of 100 attendees each.
• Final report published and shared with the Cardano community and project stakeholders.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Webinar recordings and attendance logs showing participant engagement.
• Published final report with metrics, feedback, and project insights.

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

Kambale Mechack - Web 3 and Blockchain Developer, Cardano Reviewer

• Role: Leads the development of the blockchain-based training modules and integrates Cardano technology into the project. Oversees smart contract implementation and the blockchain review process for article submissions.
• LinkedIn: LinkedIn

Justin Bihango - Fullstack Developer

• Role: Manages the development and maintenance of the online training platform, ensuring it is user-friendly and scalable. Assists with the technical setup for the competition submissions and evaluation system.
• LinkedIn: LinkedIn

Samuel Wanzaluendo - Web Developer and Blockchain Specialist

• Role: Supports the online training modules' implementation and integration of blockchain components. Ensures the platform’s performance and security.
• LinkedIn: LinkedIn

Rodrigue Kalumbendo - Blockchain Teacher, Ph.D. Holder

• Role: Leads the educational content development, including blockchain training and Cardano-specific modules. Conducts online sessions and supervises the academic quality of submissions.
• LinkedIn: LinkedIn

Recruitment Plan

We plan to recruit 3 additional blockchain experts with the following skills:

• Expertise in Cardano: Individuals with deep knowledge of Cardano’s architecture, smart contracts, and dApps.
• Experience in Education/Training: Professionals skilled in developing and delivering blockchain training programs, especially in educational or university settings.
• Technical Proficiency: Developers who can support platform development, ensure smart contract security, and assist in blockchain-based scholarship distribution.

Engagement and Communication

• We have already engaged the current team members and confirmed their availability and commitment to the project.
• We are also in direct contact with Cardano community channels (Discord and Telegram) for support and collaboration. We’ve connected with Cardano ambassadors who will help promote the competition and assist with blockchain training.
• All team members have consented to participate publicly, ensuring full transparency and accountability throughout the project.

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

The total budget for the project is 100,000 ADA, allocated as follows:

1. Awareness Campaign & Training Setup (20,000 ADA)

• Social Media Campaign & Promotion (5,000 ADA)

• Costs for digital ads, social media management tools, and promotional materials to reach target audiences across francophone African universities.

• Online Training Platform Development (10,000 ADA)

• Web development, hosting, and platform maintenance to ensure a stable and interactive learning environment.

• Content Creation & Training Modules (5,000 ADA)

• Development of educational content on Cardano, including video tutorials, quizzes, and assessments by blockchain experts.

2. Scholarships & Rewards Distribution (40,000 ADA)

• First Prize Scholarship (25,000 ADA)

• Full-year scholarships for three students from the winning team, covering tuition and educational expenses, distributed transparently via Cardano smart contracts.

• Second Prize Scholarship (10,000 ADA)

• Half-year scholarships for three students from the second-place team, also distributed through blockchain technology.

• Additional Rewards (5,000 ADA)

• Providing tokens and educational materials for teams ranked 3rd to 5th as recognition for their participation.

3. Additional Rewards & Incentives (25,000 ADA)

• Encouragement Rewards (15,000 ADA)

• Supply of academic materials (books, digital tools) and ADA tokens for the teams ranked 3rd to 5th to recognize and incentivize their participation.

• NFT Certificates & Recognition (10,000 ADA)

• Development and distribution of NFTs for participants, serving as certificates of completion and achievement, creating an immutable record on the blockchain.

4. Project Management, Logistics & Reporting (15,000 ADA)

• Project Management & Coordination (7,500 ADA)

• Salaries and administrative costs for coordinating the project, managing student registrations, and organizing the competition.

• Audit & Compliance (2,500 ADA)

• Engaging third-party code auditors to review smart contracts, ensuring secure and transparent scholarship distribution.

• Documentation & Reporting (5,000 ADA)

• Preparing project reports, public documentation, and maintaining regular communication with the Cardano community.

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

The project represents excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem, given its focus on sustainable education, increased adoption, and the long-term impact of blockchain technology among francophone African universities. Here’s why:

Proportional Costs and Local Rates:

• The scholarships and rewards distribution (40,000 ADA) directly support students’ education, with amounts based on typical tuition costs in the region. This ensures we provide substantial, impactful financial support while remaining within reasonable and sustainable limits.
• Platform development, content creation, and project management costs are set according to local freelance rates and average wages, which are generally lower than global averages, maximizing impact while keeping costs efficient.

Scalability and Future Potential:

• The project’s setup allows for easy expansion to other universities and regions, making the initial investment highly scalable. This scalability ensures that future editions of the competition can be launched at reduced costs, providing a higher return on the initial investment.

Long-term Ecosystem Benefits:

• Investing in blockchain education and Cardano training among students builds a skilled and knowledgeable base of future developers and innovators who will contribute to the ecosystem. The relatively low initial investment yields long-term benefits, as these students become advocates, users, and creators within the Cardano network.

Efficient Fund Allocation:

• A significant portion of the budget is allocated directly to scholarships and rewards (40%), ensuring that most funds have a direct and measurable impact on the students. Administrative and development costs are kept lean, using local resources and community collaboration to optimize spending.

By aligning project costs with local rates and focusing on direct impact and scalability, we ensure that every ADA spent contributes efficiently to building and strengthening the Cardano ecosystem.