Empowering Women: A Platform for Support, Education, and Opportunity

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Nuhamin techanachw

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

Individual

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

40000

[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)

 Women with access to education, mentorship, and resources, empowering them to grow personally and professionally, and fostering a supportive community for success.

[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

Our project will be fully open-source under the MIT License, ensuring transparency and community collaboration throughout its lifecycle. The entire platform, including the educational modules, mentorship system, and resource hub, will be made available via an open-source repository on GitHub. This will allow developers to contribute, enhance, or adapt the platform for similar empowerment initiatives globally.

By open-sourcing all key components, we aim to foster a broader impact, ensuring that the platform can be improved and scaled by the community. No proprietary elements will be withheld.

[METADATA] Horizons

Community Outreach

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

We are developing a comprehensive platform that provides women with the tools and resources they need to thrive personally and professionally. This platform will focus on education, mentorship, and access to opportunities, addressing the core issues of inequality and lack of support for women.

Problem Perception:

The problem we are solving is the lack of access many women face in terms of education, professional opportunities, and supportive networks. This inequality prevents women from reaching their full potential. Empowering women with education and support is critical to creating a more inclusive and productive society.

Reasons for Our Approach:

We believe the key to solving this problem lies in a holistic approach. By offering educational resources, mentorship, and community support on one platform, we provide women with a comprehensive pathway to growth. This unified approach will make it easier for women to access everything they need to succeed, all in one place.

Project Engagement:

• Women and Girls: Our primary beneficiaries are women looking to advance their education, careers, and personal lives. The platform will cater to women of all backgrounds and ages.
• Mentors and Professionals: Experienced individuals from various industries who want to give back by offering guidance and support to women.
• Organizations: NGOs, educational institutions, and companies that want to promote women’s empowerment by partnering with the platform.

Demonstrating Impact:

We will demonstrate impact through both quantitative and qualitative measures:

• Quantitative: Number of women enrolled in courses, active mentorship connections, and career advancements achieved through the platform.
• Qualitative: User feedback, testimonials, and case studies that highlight the personal and professional growth experienced by women using the platform.
• Community Engagement: Growth of the mentorship network and the creation of partnerships with educational institutions and organizations supporting women’s rights.

What Makes Our Solution Unique:

1. Holistic Approach: Our platform combines education, mentorship, and access to resources, offering an all-in-one solution to empower women.
2. Blockchain Transparency: Leveraging Cardano's blockchain to manage certification, ensuring that the platform is secure, transparent, and trustworthy. Blockchain also facilitates funding transparency for grants and donations.
3. Community Focus: We aim to foster a strong, supportive community where women can connect, learn, and grow together.

Who Benefits:

• Women: Through access to education, mentorship, and resources, women can achieve their personal and professional goals, contributing to overall gender equality.
• The Cardano Ecosystem: The project will demonstrate Cardano’s real-world utility in creating social impact, driving awareness, and adoption of blockchain technology for social good.

By addressing the root issues and providing a clear path for women to advance, this platform aligns with Cardano’s mission to create a more inclusive, equitable, and decentralized future.

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

This project will have a significant impact on both women and the wider Cardano community by:

1. Demonstrating Blockchain for Social Good: The platform showcases how Cardano’s blockchain can be used to create real-world solutions that address social issues such as gender inequality. By empowering women through education and mentorship, the project strengthens Cardano’s presence in the global social impact space.
2. Driving Cardano Adoption: As women use the platform for skills development and empowerment, they will also interact with Cardano’s technology. This increases awareness and adoption of blockchain solutions among a new, diverse user base.
3. Supporting Decentralized and Transparent Growth: The use of blockchain for tracking educational certifications and grants ensures transparency and decentralization, aligning with Cardano’s ethos of fairness and accountability.

Measuring Impact:

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

1. Quantitative Metrics:

• Number of Users: Track the number of women enrolling in courses and participating in mentorship programs.
• Mentorship Engagement: Measure the number of active mentorship relationships and successful career outcomes.
• Certifications Issued: Number of certifications completed through the platform and tracked on the blockchain.
• Job Placements or Business Launches: Track the number of women who secure employment, launch businesses, or receive funding through the platform’s resources.

1. Qualitative Metrics:

• User Feedback: Regular surveys and testimonials from users about how the platform has positively impacted their lives.
• Mentor and Organization Feedback: Gather insights from mentors and partner organizations on the effectiveness of the platform in advancing women’s empowerment.
• Case Studies: Develop detailed case studies of successful women using the platform to highlight its real-world impact.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

1. Open-Source Repository: All development and updates will be open-sourced on GitHub, allowing the community to contribute and adapt the platform for other social empowerment initiatives.
2. Community Reports: We will publish regular reports on the Cardano forums, Catalyst updates, and social media channels, showcasing milestones, success stories, and community impact.
3. Workshops and Events: Host online workshops and webinars to engage the broader Cardano community and demonstrate how blockchain technology is driving women’s empowerment.
4. Collaborations: We will actively seek partnerships with NGOs, educational institutions, and organizations committed to women’s empowerment, creating synergies and expanding the platform’s reach.

Value to the Cardano Community:

The success of this project will bring long-term value to the Cardano ecosystem by:

• Expanding Cardano’s Real-World Use Cases: By addressing a key social issue, this project demonstrates how Cardano’s blockchain can be applied to meaningful and impactful causes.
• Creating a Global Impact: Empowering women around the world contributes to the global goal of gender equality, increasing the visibility of Cardano in the social impact space.
• Building a Diverse and Engaged Community: Through partnerships, outreach, and blockchain-based transparency, this platform will attract new users, mentors, and organizations into the Cardano ecosystem, contributing to its growth and diversity.

[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 have assembled a team with extensive experience in project management, education, blockchain development, and women’s empowerment. Our core team includes experts who have worked on similar social impact projects, ensuring that we are equipped to deliver this platform effectively.

1. Project Leadership and Experience:

• Nuhamin Techanachw (Project Leader) has significant experience managing education and empowerment programs. She has worked with NGOs and women’s organizations, overseeing projects aimed at skills development and community building. Her leadership ensures a focus on delivering the project’s social goals with precision and impact.

1. Experience in Women’s Empowerment:

• Our team has partnered with women’s advocacy groups, educators, and mentors, allowing us to build a platform that is directly aligned with the needs and goals of women seeking personal and professional growth.

Feasibility Validation:

We will validate the feasibility of our approach through the following steps:

1. Pilot Program:

• We will start with a pilot program targeting a specific community or region. This allows us to gather feedback from early users, refine the platform based on real-world needs, and validate the effectiveness of our solution before scaling it up.

1. Partnership Engagement:

• We have already begun discussions with women’s organizations, educators, and mentors to ensure that the platform addresses their needs and that we have the necessary support from key stakeholders.

1. Agile Development and Feedback Loops:

• We will use an agile development process, allowing for continuous improvement based on user feedback. This iterative approach ensures that the platform remains user-centered and adaptable.

1. Blockchain Testing:

• Our blockchain components, such as certification tracking and smart contracts for transparent funding, will be rigorously tested on the Cardano testnet before full deployment. This ensures the platform operates securely and meets the necessary technical requirements.

Fund Management and Accountability:

We are committed to ensuring high levels of trust and accountability throughout the project:

1. Milestone-Based Funding:

• The project will follow a milestone-based funding structure, where funds are released only upon the successful completion of key project stages. This ensures that resources are used efficiently and that progress is transparent to stakeholders.

1. Blockchain Transparency:

• By using Cardano’s blockchain for managing certifications, grants, and mentorship data, we provide transparency in how funds and resources are allocated. The community and donors will have verifiable access to data on fund usage, ensuring trust in the platform.

1. Regular Reporting:

• We will publish regular progress reports detailing both financial and project milestones. These reports will be shared with the Cardano community, allowing for oversight and accountability throughout the project’s lifecycle.

1. Third-Party Audits:

• To ensure complete transparency, we will engage a third-party auditor to review the project’s financials and operational processes. This audit will verify that funds are being used appropriately and that the project is meeting its social impact goals.

Conclusion:

With our team’s deep experience in education, blockchain technology, and women’s empowerment, combined with our strong commitment to accountability and transparency, we are well-positioned to deliver this project successfully. The structured approach to feasibility validation, along with blockchain-based transparency, will ensure the platform’s trustworthiness and long-term impact.

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

Research and Platform Design (Months 1-2)

• Deliverables:
• Comprehensive research on user needs, including interviews and surveys with women’s organizations, mentors, and target users.
• Design the platform architecture, including the education modules, mentorship system, and blockchain integration for certifications.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Completion of detailed platform design documents, user flow diagrams, and technical architecture.
• Presentation of research findings and design to the community for feedback.

 Platform Development and Pilot Preparation (Months 3-6)

• Deliverables:
• Development of core features, including the education portal, mentorship matching system, and blockchain-based certification tracker.
• Build out the user interface and ensure it is accessible across devices (web and mobile).
• Establish partnerships with mentors, educators, and organizations for the pilot program.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Beta version of the platform deployed for internal testing, with core features functional.
• Initial partnerships formed with at least 5 mentors and 3 organizations.
• User feedback gathered from beta testing and incorporated into the platform.

 Pilot Launch and Feedback Collection (Months 7-9)

• Deliverables:
• Launch the pilot version of the platform with a focus on a selected community or region.
• Onboard women users and mentors to participate in the pilot, offering access to education modules and mentorship programs.
• Gather detailed feedback on the platform’s usability, mentorship matching, and educational content.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• At least 100 women onboarded to the platform.
• Minimum of 50 active mentorship matches made during the pilot.
• Detailed feedback report created, documenting user experiences and areas for improvement.

Full Platform Launch and Expansion (Months 10-12)

• Deliverables:
• Roll out the full platform with all features optimized based on feedback from the pilot phase.
• Expand user base by partnering with more organizations, targeting multiple regions.
• Launch marketing and outreach efforts to drive user adoption and attract additional mentors.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Full platform launched with at least 500 women and 100 mentors actively using the platform.
• Partnerships expanded to include 10 organizations.
• Report demonstrating user growth, active engagement, and platform impact.

Project Close-out Report and Video (End of Month 12)

• Deliverables:
• Produce a final project report summarizing key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Create a project close-out video showcasing the platform’s features, success stories, and future goals.
• Release all relevant project documentation and open-source code on GitHub.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Completion and publication of the project report and close-out video.
• Codebase made publicly available with detailed documentation.
• Final update shared with the Cardano community, outlining the project’s impact and next steps.

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

1. Nuhamin Techanachw – Project Leader

• Role: Nuhamin will lead the overall project, ensuring smooth coordination between platform development, mentorship programs, and outreach efforts. She will manage partnerships with women's organizations, mentors, and educational institutions to ensure the platform aligns with the needs of the target audience.
• LinkedIn: [LinkedIn Profile] (to be provided)

Recruiting Additional Team Members:

We will recruit the following roles to ensure the project is delivered effectively:

1. Front-End Developer: To design and implement the user interface, ensuring the platform is user-friendly and accessible.

• Skills Required: Expertise in front-end development (React or Vue.js), responsive design, and user experience optimization.

1. UI/UX Designer: To create an intuitive and visually appealing user experience, ensuring the platform is accessible to women from diverse backgrounds.

• Skills Required: Proficiency in UI/UX design tools and experience with educational or community platforms.

1. Content and Education Specialist: To curate and create educational materials for financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

• Skills Required: Experience in content development and women’s empowerment programs.

1. Mentorship Program Coordinator: To manage the mentorship matching process and track mentorship progress.

• Skills Required: Experience in mentorship programs and professional development.

1. Outreach and Partnership Manager: To build relationships with organizations, NGOs, and educational institutions and drive outreach efforts.

• Skills Required: Experience in community building and partnership management.

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

Development Costs: 15,000 ADA

• Front-End Development: 5,000 ADA
• Design and implementation of the user interface for web and mobile, ensuring accessibility and ease of use for all women.
• Back-End Development: 4,000 ADA
• Build the platform's infrastructure, including mentorship matching, educational modules, and resource hubs.
• Blockchain Integration: 3,000 ADA
• Develop blockchain-based certification and smart contracts for transparent funding and grants management.
• Security and Testing: 3,000 ADA
• Comprehensive testing and security audits to ensure the platform is secure and functional.

2. Personnel Costs: 10,000 ADA

• Project Management: 3,000 ADA
• Compensation for the project leader, Nuhamin Techanachw, to manage overall project progress, stakeholder engagement, and team coordination.
• UI/UX Designer: 2,500 ADA
• Design intuitive and visually appealing user interfaces, ensuring an engaging and accessible user experience.
• Content Specialist: 2,500 ADA
• Develop educational resources, including courses, workshops, and content tailored for women's empowerment.
• Mentorship Coordinator: 2,000 ADA
• Manage the mentorship program, ensuring smooth mentor-mentee pairings and tracking progress.

3. Marketing, Outreach, and Community Engagement: 8,000 ADA

• Publicity Campaigns: 4,000 ADA
• Launch marketing and outreach efforts through social media, online advertising, and partnerships with women’s organizations to attract users.
• Community Workshops and Webinars: 2,000 ADA
• Organize workshops and webinars to promote the platform and engage women in discussions about empowerment and education.
• Partnership Development: 2,000 ADA
• Build relationships with NGOs, educational institutions, and professional networks to support mentorship programs and access to opportunities.

4. Operational and Maintenance Costs: 4,000 ADA

• Hosting and Server Costs: 2,500 ADA
• Cover ongoing hosting and server maintenance for the platform’s functionality and availability.
• Platform Updates and Maintenance: 1,500 ADA
• Regular updates, bug fixes, and performance improvements to keep the platform running smoothly.

5. Documentation, Reporting, and Open-Source Contributions: 2,000 ADA

• Project Documentation: 1,000 ADA
• Comprehensive documentation of the platform, including technical details, user guides, and reports on impact.
• Final Report and Video: 1,000 ADA
• Create a project close-out video and report to summarize key achievements, challenges, and outcomes.

6. Miscellaneous and Contingency: 1,000 ADA

• This fund will cover any unforeseen expenses that may arise during the project, ensuring there are no disruptions.

Total Budget: 40,000 ADA

This budget is designed to efficiently cover the platform’s development, personnel, outreach, and operational costs. It includes necessary elements to ensure the project's success, from technical development to community engagement and ongoing platform maintenance.

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

1. Expanding Cardano’s Use Case in Social Impact:

This project will serve as a high-profile example of how blockchain technology can be leveraged for social good, specifically in empowering women through education and mentorship. By using Cardano’s blockchain for secure certification and transparent funding, we showcase the real-world utility of blockchain beyond finance, strengthening Cardano’s reputation as a solution provider for humanitarian and social issues.

2. Justifiable and Cost-Effective Budget:

• Development Costs: The costs for front-end and back-end development (15,000 ADA) are aligned with industry standards for skilled developers. In many regions, experienced blockchain and web developers charge between $50–$150/hour, making these costs proportional to the effort required to build a secure, scalable platform.
• Personnel Costs: The 10,000 ADA allocated for project management, content creation, and mentorship coordination reflects fair compensation for skilled professionals working in women’s empowerment, education, and community management. By maintaining a lean team, we ensure that funds are spent efficiently.
• Marketing and Outreach: The 8,000 ADA allocated to marketing and outreach is crucial for attracting users to the platform and driving engagement with women's organizations. Publicity and partnerships will ensure the platform reaches its intended audience, expanding its impact.

3. Long-Term Benefits and Scalability:

The platform is designed to scale across regions and expand its user base without requiring significant additional investment. Once developed, it will serve as a sustainable model that can empower thousands of women globally, providing ongoing value to the Cardano ecosystem. Additionally, the mentorship model can be extended to other sectors, creating new avenues for Cardano’s technology to shine.

4. Open Source and Community Contribution:

By making the platform open-source, we ensure that developers across the Cardano ecosystem can build on this project, adapt it to other use cases, and further improve it. This not only provides direct value to the ecosystem but also encourages community engagement and development, helping Cardano grow as a collaborative, impactful platform.

5. Measurable Social Impact:

The platform will enable women to gain new skills, connect with mentors, and access resources, leading to measurable improvements in their personal and professional lives. The positive impact on individuals and communities will reflect favorably on the Cardano ecosystem, positioning it as a driver of economic and social change.