Unlocking Opportunities: Cardano and blockchain Education in Rural Areas

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Sunday Dominic

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

Entity (Incorporated)

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

12

[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 launch Cardano blockchain education initiatives in rural , equipping young minds of ages 11-18 with tech skills through hands-on training to foster innovation and bridge digital divide.

[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

Yes the project is open source throughout the entire lifecycle of the project

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our solution addresses the critical gap in tech education for rural young minds, who often lack access to essential digital skills. By implementing Cardano blockchain training programs, we aim to empower these students with hands-on learning experiences that foster innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Our project will engage local schools, communities, and educators, creating a network of support for ongoing education. We will measure our impact through student achievements, community feedback, and tracking participants’ progress in tech-related opportunities. 

What makes our approach unique is its focus on integrating blockchain technology into the curriculum, equipping students with skills directly relevant to the evolving job market. This is important to Cardano as it fosters a more inclusive digital economy and demonstrates the practical applications of blockchain technology in real-world scenarios.

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

Our project will enhance the Cardano community by fostering a new generation of skilled tech leaders, who will contribute to the blockchain ecosystem. By equipping youth with Cardano knowledge, we increase user adoption and advocacy for blockchain technology in rural areas.

We will measure impact through metrics such as the number of trained students, successful projects developed, and participant feedback. Outputs will be shared via community events, social media, and partnerships with educational institutions, showcasing success stories and opportunities created by the project.

[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 extensive experience in education and technology implementation, having successfully trained students in coding and robotics , Artificial Intelligence . We are committed to transparency and accountability in managing funds, employing strict budgeting practices and regular financial audits. 

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will have the program in select communities, gathering data on student engagement and learning outcomes. Feedback loops will ensure continuous improvement, and we will share detailed reports with stakeholders to maintain trust.

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

Milestone 1: Community Engagement, Recruitment and Curriculum Development (Months 1-2)

• Outputs: Conduct community outreach meetings to raise awareness about the program and recruit participants, ensuring diversity in student selection and Develop a tailored blockchain education curriculum for rural youth that covers foundational concepts of blockchain technology, coding, and practical applications.

• Acceptance Criteria: A minimum of 100 students and 10 educators must be registered and committed to the program, indicating sufficient interest and community support.

• Evidence: Registration forms and meeting notes.

Training Program Launch (Months 5-10)

• Outputs: Implement the first training cohort, consisting of interactive sessions that engage students in hands-on learning activities related to blockchain technology.

• Acceptance Criteria: At least 80% attendance during the training sessions, with participants actively engaging in discussions and activities.

• Evidence: Attendance records, participant feedback surveys that assess engagement and understanding, and training session materials.

Blockchain Hackathon (Months 10-12)

• Outputs: Organize a hackathon where students collaborate to develop innovative blockchain solutions addressing local challenges.

• Acceptance Criteria: At least 50 participants must register, with teams presenting viable projects that demonstrate practical applications of blockchain technology.

• Evidence: Event documentation, project proposals submitted, recordings of presentations, and feedback from judges and participants evaluating the creativity and feasibility of the projects.

• Cost: 20,000 ADA / $24,000

Program Wrap-Up and Summary Presentation (Months 11-12)

• Outputs: Compile a comprehensive report and presentation summarizing the entire program, highlighting successes, challenges, and participant achievements.

• Acceptance Criteria: A detailed report shared with stakeholders, including community feedback and participant testimonials.

• Evidence: Final presentation materials, the compiled report, and video recordings of the summary session, showcasing the impact and future recommendations.

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

Team Members & Roles

Sunday Dominic – Project Manager https://12miles.com.ng/

• Role: As the founder of 12 Miles, i will oversee the entire project, ensuring all deliverables are met on time and within budget. Responsibilities include managing project timelines, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication.

Ese Williams – Marketing and Communications Specialist

• LinkedIn Profile: Ese Williams' LinkedIn URL
• Role: Ese will manage all marketing and communication efforts, including outreach, public relations, and digital presence. Her goal is to maximize visibility and engagement with the target rural communities.

Alabi Ayomide – Curriculum Developer https://12miles.com.ng/

• Role: Alabi will be responsible for designing the blockchain and Plutus curriculum, tailoring it to meet the needs of rural students while ensuring the material is engaging and comprehensive.

Matti Victoria – Community Engagement Lead https://12miles.com.ng/

• Role: Jane will manage all community outreach efforts, coordinating meetings and events with local schools and communities. She will also ensure effective communication with stakeholders throughout the project.

Planned Recruitment

To ensure smooth project execution, we plan to recruit additional team members with the following skills:

• 5 more Blockchain Developer: Someone proficient in Cardano blockchain development, particularly with expertise in Plutus, to assist with technical aspects of the curriculum and hackathon.
• Data Analyst: Responsible for tracking and analyzing project outcomes, helping to measure the success of the program and report back to stakeholders.

We have already engaged with the core team members from both 12 Miles and Remostart, confirming their availability and willingness to support the project. Our team is well-prepared to take on their respective roles and execute the project within the proposed timelines.

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

Curriculum Development: Developing a tailored blockchain curriculum is budgeted at 8,000 ADA. This low cost ensures a high-quality educational experience at a fraction of what similar programs typically charge.

Community Engagement: Outreach activities, including logistics for community meetings, are planned for just 4,000 ADA. Normally, these efforts could be significantly more expensive, but we've optimized costs to ensure maximum impact with minimal expense.

Training Program Launch: Launching the program, including costs for training materials, venue rentals, and facilitator salaries, will be achieved with just 18,000 ADA. This is highly budget-efficient compared to similar initiatives, which would easily exceed this amount.

Hardware and Software Acquisition: The hardware (computers, robotics kits) and software necessary for the program are budgeted at 22,000 ADA. These costs have been minimized through careful procurement strategies, ensuring that this is far cheaper than typical programs with similar equipment needs.

Logistics and Supplies: Transporting materials and supplies for training sessions will be managed for just 4,000 ADA. This streamlined logistics plan offers significant savings compared to standard rates.

Hackathon: The entire hackathon, including venue, prizes, and catering, will cost only 15,000 ADA, a cost that would typically be much higher in comparable events. We’ve ensured high engagement while keeping costs lean.

Salaries for Project Staff: Payments for project management, administrative, and support staff are capped at 12,000 ADA, representing excellent value for money. Typically, staffing costs would be significantly higher, but we've optimized this to stay within budget.

Program Wrap-Up and Reporting: Final documentation, report preparation, and presentations will be completed for just 7,000 ADA, an exceptional cost-efficiency for this crucial phase.

Overall, this comprehensive program is designed to deliver exceptional value at just 90,000 ADA, a remarkable achievement for a project of this scale. If executed elsewhere, these same activities would easily exceed this budget, but our careful planning ensures that we provide top-tier education and engagement at a price far below market standards.

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

The project represents value for money within the Cardano ecosystem by addressing the significant educational gap in rural through a sustainable, hands-on blockchain training program. The costs, while substantial, reflect the necessary investment in quality resources, including hardware, salaries, and logistics, to ensure effective learning.

Salaries are aligned with average wages in Nigeria, while hardware costs are justified based on market rates for educational technology. This investment will empower local youth with 21st-century skills, fostering innovation and economic growth, ultimately benefiting the Cardano community by creating a skilled workforce capable of contributing to the blockchain ecosystem.

This program not only enhances technical skills but also encourages community engagement and collaboration, aligning with Cardano’s mission to create positive societal impacts.