Francophone Women in Blockchain: Empowerment and Training

[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)

4

[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 create a Francophone Women in Blockchain initiative in Kinshasa, DRC, providing training, mentorship, and scholarships to empower women in blockchain careers, focusing on Cardano.

[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 fully committed to making the outputs of this project open source, ensuring that all materials, tools, and resources created for the project are accessible to the community. This will encourage wider participation and innovation, not just for women in Kinshasa, but for any individuals or groups globally looking to replicate or build upon this initiative.

License:

The project will be licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license for all educational and training materials, while any code or technical outputs (such as smart contract templates) will be licensed under the MIT License. These licenses will provide flexibility for reuse, distribution, and modification.

Open Source Components:

• Educational and Training Materials: The workshops, presentations, and learning modules specifically tailored for women entering blockchain technology will be openly shared, allowing other groups and communities to benefit from them.
• Mentorship Program Framework: We will share the mentorship program structure, guidelines, and best practices openly to assist others in replicating this initiative.
• Blockchain Solutions and Tools: Any technical solutions, such as smart contract templates or decentralized applications (DApps) that participants build during the training, will be released as open source, promoting further innovation within the Cardano community.

Further Information:

This open-source approach ensures that the project will contribute to broader adoption and understanding of blockchain technology in underrepresented communities. By sharing resources freely, we hope to empower others to take similar steps toward gender inclusion in tech, especially within the Cardano ecosystem.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

This project will establish a Francophone Women in Blockchain initiative in Kinshasa, DRC, focused on empowering women through education, mentorship, and scholarships. It will provide essential blockchain knowledge, particularly around Cardano, and offer guidance and financial support for women to enter blockchain-related careers or entrepreneurship.

Objectives

1. Training & Education: Conduct a series of workshops and training sessions tailored specifically for women, teaching the basics of blockchain technology, the Cardano ecosystem, and smart contract development.
2. Mentorship Program: Connect participants with successful blockchain entrepreneurs and professionals who can provide ongoing guidance, support, and networking opportunities.
3. Scholarships: Offer scholarships to select participants for advanced blockchain education or to support entrepreneurial ventures within the Cardano ecosystem.

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

This project will boost gender diversity in the Cardano ecosystem by empowering women in Francophone Africa through education, mentorship, and scholarships. It will train 100+ women, award 10 scholarships, and establish 20+ mentorships, creating a skilled, diverse community contributing to Cardano's growth. We’ll measure impact via participant numbers, feedback, and success stories, and share outputs like training materials and success stories through our website, social media, and Cardano forums, ensuring the initiative benefits the wider community.

[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, led by experienced blockchain and education professionals, is well-equipped to deliver this project. We have successfully managed previous blockchain initiatives and will use pilot testing, proven training methods, and strong local partnerships to ensure feasibility. To manage funds responsibly, we will use transparent budgeting, milestone-based funding, and financial oversight, providing regular updates to the Cardano community. This approach guarantees accountability and the successful delivery of the project.

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

Launch and Initial Training Events (10,000 ADA)

• Objective: Organize initial workshops in Kinshasa to introduce women to blockchain and Cardano.
• Activities: Secure venue, develop training materials in French, recruit participants, and conduct the first round of training sessions.
• Outcome: Train at least 50 women in the basics of blockchain technology and Cardano.

Establish Mentorship and Scholarship Programs (15,000 ADA)

• Objective: Set up the mentorship network and scholarship fund.
• Activities: Identify and onboard experienced blockchain professionals as mentors, develop mentorship plans, and announce the scholarship program.
• Outcome: Pair participants with 10-15 mentors and offer 5 scholarships for further training or entrepreneurial projects.

Scale to Additional Regions and Expand the Network (20,000 ADA)

• Objective: Expand the project to include more women and regions in Kinshasa, and potentially extend the initiative to other cities in the DRC.
• Activities: Organize additional workshops, scale the mentorship network, and award more scholarships.
• Outcome: Reach an additional 50 women and grow the mentorship and support network.

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

Our team is highly qualified to lead this initiative, with a proven track record in blockchain technology, education, and project management. We have successfully delivered multiple projects related to Cardano adoption and blockchain education. Specifically:

1. Kambale Mechack – A Web 3 and Blockchain developer with experience in leading blockchain training projects and working on blockchain adoption in the DRC. Kambale has previously led initiatives to introduce blockchain technology to students and professionals.
2. Samuel Wanzaluendo – A web developer and blockchain enthusiast, responsible for organizing online training sessions and engaging economic players, ensuring that project milestones are met.
3. Rodrigue Kalumendo – A PhD holder in Management Information Systems with extensive experience in educational programs, ensuring that content is high quality and accessible to Francophone women.
4. Elias Semajeri – PhD in Management Information Systems, specializing in stakeholder relations and communications. He will manage partnerships and ensure smooth communication with mentors and participants.

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

Budget Breakdown

• Workshops & Training (Kinshasa): 15,000 ADA
• Venue, materials, trainers, and logistics.
• Mentorship Program: 10,000 ADA
• Development, coordination, and mentor compensation.
• Scholarship Fund: 15,000 ADA
• 10 scholarships for advanced training or entrepreneurial ventures.
• Marketing and Outreach: 5,000 ADA
• Promotion, participant recruitment, and media outreach.

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

This project's cost of 45,000 ADA represents excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem. The funds will be used to empower 100+ women through blockchain training, mentorship, and scholarships, helping to increase diversity and innovation within the ecosystem.

Cost Breakdown Justification:

• Training & Workshops: Costs cover expert facilitators, materials, and logistics. These are in line with typical freelance rates for professional training in the DRC, ensuring fair compensation while staying cost-efficient.
• Mentorship Program: Funding will support establishing a sustainable mentorship network, providing long-term value through ongoing guidance for participants.
• Scholarships: A significant portion is allocated for scholarships to support women's education or entrepreneurial ventures, directly contributing to the growth of the Cardano community.

Given the high impact and long-term benefits of this initiative, the project offers great value, driving adoption and innovation in Francophone Africa with a modest budget.