Empowering Cardano Through Community-Driven Events

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Mariamawit Yohannes Yegltu

[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)

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)

community-focused events across the Cardano ecosystem to promote collaboration, education, and innovation, accelerating ecosystem growth and increasing 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

We intend to make all event-related educational content, materials, and tools open source to ensure accessibility and transparency for the community. We will use the MIT License for these outputs, allowing for broad usage and modification while encouraging community-driven improvements.

Any tools, templates, or platforms developed during the project (e.g., event management tools, educational resources) will be hosted in an open-source repository. While core event materials will be open, some proprietary elements (e.g., event logistics, partnerships) may remain closed to maintain vendor relations and sponsorships.

[METADATA] Horizons

Community Outreach

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The Cardano ecosystem currently lacks a consistent stream of events that engage the community, promote collaboration, and drive ecosystem growth. This creates a disconnect between developers, stakeholders, and the wider Cardano community, resulting in limited opportunities for education, innovation, and real-world use cases.

Our solution is to organize a series of community-driven events that engage various stakeholders, including developers, investors, enthusiasts, and newcomers. These events will focus on:

• Collaboration: Facilitating workshops, hackathons, and panel discussions that bring together talented individuals to create solutions using Cardano.
• Education: Providing hands-on training sessions, developer bootcamps, and beginner-friendly talks to help both technical and non-technical participants understand Cardano’s blockchain technology, governance, and dApp ecosystem.
• Showcasing Innovation: Allowing startups and projects within the ecosystem to demonstrate their work, share updates, and seek partnerships.
• Networking: Creating a space for networking between investors, developers, and community members, fostering potential partnerships and collaborations.

Why This Approach

We believe events provide a unique opportunity for the Cardano community to connect, learn, and grow together. By engaging directly with the community through face-to-face and virtual events, we can create stronger bonds and accelerate the adoption of Cardano’s technology. Our approach is inclusive, targeting both experienced developers and newcomers, ensuring that everyone has the chance to contribute and grow.

Target Audience:

Our events will engage a wide range of participants, including:

• Developers interested in building on Cardano.
• Startups and entrepreneurs looking to showcase their projects.
• Investors seeking opportunities in the Cardano ecosystem.
• Community members and enthusiasts who want to learn and contribute to the ecosystem.

Measuring Impact

We will measure the success of our events by:

• The number of participants and diversity of attendees.
• Post-event feedback on the quality and value of the content.
• The number of projects initiated or improved during hackathons or workshops.
• Growth in community participation and Cardano’s adoption rate post-events.
• The creation of long-term partnerships and collaborations that originate from our events.

Unique Value

What sets us apart is our focus on community empowerment. We will offer a wide range of events, from beginner-level workshops to expert discussions, ensuring that there is value for every level of participant. Our events will not only showcase what’s possible with Cardano but also provide the tools and knowledge to make these possibilities a reality. By nurturing innovation and collaboration, we aim to accelerate Cardano’s journey toward becoming a leading blockchain platform.

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

Our project will have a multi-faceted positive impact on the Cardano community by driving engagement, education, collaboration, and innovation. Here are the key ways it will benefit the ecosystem:

1. Increased Community Engagement: By hosting regular events, we will provide a platform for developers, investors, enthusiasts, and new community members to come together, exchange ideas, and work toward shared goals.
2. Educational Growth: Our events will focus heavily on education, offering workshops and seminars on Cardano’s blockchain, governance, smart contracts, and dApp development. This will help onboard new developers and users, growing the base of active participants within the ecosystem.
3. Collaboration and Innovation: Our hackathons and networking events will foster collaboration between developers, startups, and businesses. This will lead to the creation of innovative projects that benefit from Cardano’s unique infrastructure, contributing to ecosystem growth and adoption.
4. Showcasing Cardano's Potential: By creating a platform where projects can showcase their innovations, we will amplify the visibility of what is being built on Cardano, attracting attention from both inside and outside the ecosystem.

Measuring Impact:

We will measure the impact of our events both quantitatively and qualitatively:

• Quantitative Metrics:
• Number of participants in each event.
• Number of new developers and projects initiated through hackathons.
• Attendance growth across multiple events.
• Number of projects deployed on Cardano as a result of the events.
• Post-event surveys to assess the increase in understanding and adoption of Cardano technologies.
• Qualitative Metrics:
• Feedback from attendees regarding the value and quality of the events.
• Partnerships and collaborations formed during networking sessions.
• Community sentiment measured through engagement in follow-up surveys, forum discussions, and social media.

Sharing Outputs:

We will ensure that the outputs and opportunities generated from our events are widely accessible:

• Open Source Materials: All educational materials, resources, and event recordings will be made open source, hosted on a publicly accessible repository, and shared through Cardano community platforms (e.g., forums, Discord, Telegram).
• Post-Event Reports: We will publish post-event reports summarizing the key outcomes, lessons learned, and potential future opportunities, making this information available to the entire community.
• Partnership Announcements: Collaborations and partnerships formed during our events will be announced publicly through social media and community channels, ensuring the wider Cardano ecosystem is aware of the impact.
• Continual Engagement: We will maintain an active presence on Cardano’s community forums and platforms, ensuring that the outcomes of each event lead to continued discussions, contributions, and 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?

We are well-positioned to deliver this project due to our deep involvement in the Cardano ecosystem and a proven track record in organizing community-driven initiatives. Our team is composed of experienced event organizers, blockchain developers, and community builders who have successfully led similar projects within the crypto and blockchain space. Here’s why we believe we are best suited for this:

1. Experienced Team:

• Our team includes individuals who have organized successful blockchain events, hackathons, and workshops both online and in-person.
• We have experience with event management, logistics, marketing, and creating educational content tailored to the needs of diverse audiences, from beginners to experts.

1. Deep Community Engagement:

• We have strong ties within the Cardano community, with access to a broad network of developers, educators, and investors who can contribute to the success of our events.
• Our participation in various Cardano initiatives and our understanding of the ecosystem allows us to tailor events that are impactful and aligned with the needs of the community.

1. Technical Expertise:

• Our team has the technical expertise to build tools and platforms required for event management, whether it’s for organizing hackathons, tracking participant progress, or creating educational materials.

Feasibility and Validation:

We have laid out a clear plan to ensure our approach is feasible and achievable. Here’s how we will validate and manage the project:

1. Pilot Event:

• We will begin with a smaller-scale pilot event to test the logistics, interest levels, and engagement within the community. This will allow us to gather feedback, refine our approach, and ensure the larger events run smoothly.

1. Community Feedback Loops:

• At each step of the process, we will gather community feedback to validate our approach and ensure the events are aligned with community needs. This feedback will come from pre-event surveys, post-event reviews, and active communication with key stakeholders.

1. Risk Management:

• We will implement risk management processes by identifying potential logistical or operational challenges ahead of time, with contingency plans in place to ensure the smooth execution of all events.

Trust and Accountability:

To demonstrate high levels of trust and accountability, we will follow these key processes:

1. Transparent Fund Management:

• We will maintain a detailed budget with clear line items for how the funds will be allocated (e.g., event logistics, marketing, educational content creation, speaker fees, etc.).
• We will provide regular financial updates to the community, ensuring all expenditures are accounted for and aligned with the original proposal.

1. Milestone-Based Funding:

• We will work with a milestone-based funding model, where funds are released only after achieving specific, pre-determined milestones. This ensures that each stage of the project is properly managed, and funds are spent efficiently.

1. Open Reporting:

• We will publish monthly progress reports and share all relevant updates with the Cardano community, including outcomes from each event, lessons learned, and financial breakdowns.
• All reports, materials, and resources will be open source and accessible to the public to maintain transparency and accountability.

1. Experienced Financial Oversight:

• Our team includes individuals with experience in managing project budgets and ensuring financial transparency in community-driven projects. We will set up proper financial oversight procedures, including regular audits and tracking to ensure that all funds are used responsibly.

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

Event Planning and Pilot Event Execution

Timeframe: Month 1-2

Acceptance Criteria:

• Develop detailed event plan, including scheduling, event formats, and marketing strategy.
• Secure partnerships with key stakeholders (speakers, sponsors, venues for physical events or platforms for virtual events).
• Pilot event successfully executed with at least 100 participants.
• Post-event feedback collected from attendees, covering satisfaction, content relevance, and areas for improvement.

Deliverables:

• Detailed event plan document shared with the community.
• Pilot event post-mortem report, including participant data and key takeaways.

Main Event Series Launch

Timeframe: Month 3-5

Acceptance Criteria:

• Launch of the first 2 major events targeting different community segments (e.g., developer hackathons, educational webinars).
• Each event attracts at least 200 participants.
• Educational materials (presentations, tutorials, recordings) created and shared with the community.
• Positive feedback from 70% of attendees on event quality and relevance.

Deliverables:

• Attendance reports for both events.
• Educational materials and recordings published in an open-source repository.
• Post-event feedback report for each event.

vent Growth and Ecosystem Collaboration

Timeframe: Month 6-8

Acceptance Criteria:

• Execution of an additional 3 major events, expanding on previous formats and fostering collaboration across ecosystem projects.
• Onboarding of at least 5 new projects or collaborations formed through hackathons and networking sessions.
• Growth in participation rate (target: 300+ participants per event).
• At least 2 partnerships established with other Cardano projects or initiatives.

Deliverables:

• Attendance and collaboration reports for all events.
• Reports on new partnerships formed.
• Documentation on projects or dApps initiated during events.

Project Close-Out and Final Report

Timeframe: Month 9-10

Acceptance Criteria:

• Completion of the final event in the series, with a focus on summarizing and presenting outcomes from the entire project (including projects created, collaborations formed, and lessons learned).
• Post-event survey showing at least 75% attendee satisfaction across all events.
• Publication of a comprehensive final report summarizing the project’s impact, including quantitative and qualitative data.
• A project close-out video showcasing event highlights, interviews with key participants, and the overall impact on the Cardano ecosystem.

Deliverables:

• Final project close-out report shared with the community.
• Project impact video published across community platforms.

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

Project Team:

1. Mariamawit Yohannes Yegltu
2. Role: Team Leader
3. Responsibilities:

• Overseeing the project’s planning, execution, and delivery.
• Managing communication with stakeholders, sponsors, and the Cardano community.
• Ensuring the events align with the goals of the Cardano ecosystem and coordinating the overall project progress.
• Leading the post-event analysis and reporting.

Additional Recruitment:

We plan to recruit additional team members with the following skill sets to ensure successful project delivery:

1. Event Coordinator

• Responsibilities: Managing on-the-ground logistics, scheduling, and event flow for both physical and virtual events.
• Skills: Experience in event planning, strong organizational abilities, and excellent communication skills.

1. Technical Specialist

• Responsibilities: Overseeing technical setup for virtual events, managing any technical issues during workshops, and ensuring all materials are shared properly.
• Skills: Expertise in managing online platforms, experience in virtual event hosting, and knowledge of blockchain technologies.

1. Content Creator/Marketing

• Responsibilities: Developing promotional content, managing social media, and creating post-event summaries and reports.
• Skills: Experience in content creation, digital marketing, and event promotion.

By assembling a skilled team, we ensure the project is supported by people who are capable of handling all operational, technical, and promotional aspects. We have already begun the recruitment process to ensure the availability of these resources upon project approval.

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

Budget Breakdown:

1. Event Planning & Coordination

Cost: 7,500 ADA

• Event Coordinator Fees: Compensation for overseeing logistics, scheduling, and ensuring the smooth execution of both physical and virtual events.
• Admin Support: Assisting with registration, speaker coordination, and general event management.

2. Technical Setup & Support

Cost: 8,000 ADA

• Virtual Event Platform: Costs for using a professional virtual event platform (e.g., Zoom, StreamYard) to host online events and webinars.
• Technical Specialist Fees: For ensuring that all technical aspects of virtual events run smoothly, managing equipment, software, and troubleshooting.
• Software Licenses: For any additional tools needed for webinars, event recordings, and streaming.

3. Speaker & Content Creation Fees

Cost: 10,000 ADA

• Speaker Fees: Honoraria for guest speakers, panelists, and workshop leaders.
• Content Creation: Production of educational content, workshop materials, presentations, and post-event reports.

4. Marketing & Promotion

Cost: 7,000 ADA

• Social Media Promotion: Advertising costs for promoting events on social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn).
• Content Marketing: Creation of graphics, videos, and promotional content for event awareness.
• Community Engagement: Hiring influencers or community figures to help promote the events within the Cardano ecosystem.

5. Event Production & Logistics

Cost: 9,000 ADA

• Physical Event Venue Costs: Rental fees for physical event venues, catering, and equipment.
• Event Materials: For printing, signage, banners, and other physical materials needed for event branding.
• Travel and Accommodation: For key team members and speakers (if applicable).

6. Post-Event Reporting & Documentation

Cost: 4,000 ADA

• Reporting Tools: Tools to gather feedback from participants, analyze engagement, and report results to the Cardano community.
• Documentation: Creation of post-event reports, impact videos, and open-source educational materials for the community.

7. Project Management & Oversight

Cost: 4,500 ADA

• Project Manager Fees: Compensation for managing the project, ensuring milestones are met, and maintaining communication with stakeholders.
• Financial Reporting: Accounting and legal services for managing project funds and ensuring compliance with Catalyst rules.

Total Cost: 50,000 ADA

Third-Party Products and Services:

1. Virtual Event Platform: Zoom or StreamYard (for hosting virtual events).
2. Software Licenses: For video editing, graphic design, and event management tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite).
3. Professional Services: Legal and accounting services to ensure proper fund management and compliance.

Alternative Funding:

Should the project require additional funding beyond the Catalyst grant, we will seek sponsorships from ecosystem partners, projects, and organizations within the Cardano community to help cover excess costs, particularly in terms of expanding physical events or scaling outreach.

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

Our project provides exceptional value for the Cardano ecosystem by delivering high-impact events at a reasonable cost, focusing on community engagement, education, and ecosystem growth. Here's why the project represents value for money:

1. Strategic Impact with Minimal Overhead:

The 50,000 ADA requested will be used efficiently, ensuring that every aspect of the event—planning, execution, and post-event reporting—directly contributes to growing the Cardano ecosystem. Our costs are allocated to:

• Community Education: Workshops, seminars, and training events that introduce new developers, entrepreneurs, and investors to Cardano’s technology.
• Collaborative Innovation: Hackathons and networking sessions that bring together developers and stakeholders, leading to new projects and solutions built on Cardano.
• Increased Visibility: Marketing and promotion to engage the community and increase Cardano’s reach.

2. Cost Justification:

• Event Coordinator and Technical Specialist Fees: Based on standard freelance rates for event management and technical support in the industry, our fees align with market averages for high-quality work. For example, event coordination fees are comparable to rates in the local market, ensuring we're paying fairly while maximizing output.
• Speaker Fees: The compensation for speakers and content creators reflects industry standards, particularly for professionals with blockchain experience and expertise. Attracting knowledgeable speakers is key to delivering value to attendees.
• Marketing Costs: We have planned a strategic marketing budget to ensure maximum reach within the Cardano community. Our costs are competitive for digital advertising campaigns, reflecting current rates on social media platforms.

3. Proven Outcomes:

• The return on investment for the Cardano ecosystem is significant. For relatively low event production costs, we will create opportunities for new collaborations, onboard developers, and educate a wide audience about the benefits of building on Cardano.
• Previous successful blockchain and crypto events have shown that even modest budgets can lead to significant innovation and community growth. Our events are designed to replicate this success by creating real-world use cases, increasing adoption, and sparking future projects.

4. Efficient Use of Resources:

We have carefully designed our budget to avoid unnecessary expenditures. For example:

• Virtual events reduce venue and logistics costs, maximizing educational outreach with minimal overhead.
• Post-event reports and content are made open source, ensuring long-term community access and reducing future costs for educational material creation.

5. Long-Term Benefits:

By investing in education, collaboration, and ecosystem growth, our project will lead to sustained benefits for the Cardano community. The skills learned and connections made during the events will have a ripple effect, spurring further development and innovation long after the events have concluded.