FoodCoop DApp: Connect farmers directly with consumers and provide healthy, locally grown food to communities world wide!

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Alois G.

[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

No

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

We will use smart contracts to cut down intermediaries, ensure economic resilience and facilitate community-driven decision-making to enhance food security, promote local sustainability & reduce waste

[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 fierce advocates of open-source software and very keen to maintain this spirit. We believe it is crucial to choose a license that balances the need for community contribution and use with the requirements for transparency and fairness. Hence at this point of time we believe AGPL v3 (GNU Affero General Public License) is the best choice. AGPL will ensure that any improvements or modifications are shared back with the community, fostering a collaborative and transparent environment.

Reasons for AGPL:

• Transparency and Fairness: The AGPL ensures that any modifications or improvements to the software must also be made available under the same license, promoting transparency and fairness in the community.
• Community Engagement: This license encourages community involvement and contributions, as it requires that any changes be shared back to the community.
• Compatibility: The AGPL is compatible with many other open-source licenses, making it easier to integrate other open-source components into our project.
• Practicality: It allows for private use without restrictions, but if the software is made available to the public (e.g., over a network), the source code must also be made available under the AGPL.

Additional Information:

• Contributor Agreements: To ensure contributors agree to the terms, we may need to use a Contributor License Agreement (CLA) to protect both the contributors and the project.
• License Compatibility: When combining multiple open-source projects, we must ensure that all licenses are compatible to avoid legal issues. The AGPL is generally compatible with many other open-source licenses, but it will be important to review specific licenses of any future dependencies.

[METADATA] Horizons

Agriculture

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Perception of the Problem

The problem we are addressing is multifaceted and revolves around the inefficiencies and lack of transparency in traditional food supply chains and cooperative management.

The key issues are:

• Lack of Transparency and Traceability: Current food supply chains often lack clear traceability, making it difficult to ensure the quality, origin, and safety of food products. This can lead to issues such as food waste, contamination, and unfair practices.
• Inefficient Supply Chain Management: Traditional supply chains are often highly centralized, leading to high costs, inefficiencies, and a lack of trust among participants. This can result in higher prices for consumers and lower profits for producers.
• Difficulty in Setting Up and Managing Cooperatives: Establishing and managing food cooperatives can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant effort and resources. This can deter individuals and communities from participating in cooperative models.

What are your reasons for approaching it in the way that you have?

Our approach involves leveraging smart contracts and scaling solutions to create a decentralized, transparent and efficient platform:

• Ease of Cooperative Setup: Our platform simplifies the process of setting up and managing cooperatives. Users can create groups based on dietary preferences, locate other members, and establish governance models using pre-defined templates.
• Decentralization and Transparency: By using Cardano, we ensure that all relevant transactions and data are transparent, tamper-proof, and accessible to all participants. This enhances trust and reduces the need for intermediaries.
• Automated Supply Chain Management: Use of smart contracts will ensure that all parties adhere to agreed-upon terms and also minimize the need for human intervention.The platform will automate tasks such as matching demand with supply. It will help with managing inventory, optimizing prices, and thereby reducing waste.

Our project will engage a diverse range of stakeholders, including:

• Consumers: Individuals who want to access high-quality, locally produced, affordable (and organic) food. It also helps in case of specific dietary needs or preferences.
• Food Producers: Farmers, restaurants, shops and food manufacturers who want to sell their products directly to consumers.
• Cooperative Members: Individuals who participate in the administration, governance, and decision-making processes of the cooperatives.
• Local Communities: Communities that benefit from the local production and consumption of food, reducing transportation costs, and environmental impact.

To demonstrate and prove the impact of our project, we will:

• Track Key Metrics: Monitor and report on metrics such as the number of cooperatives established, the volume of food produced and consumed, the reduction in food waste and the improvement in supply chain efficiency.
• User Feedback and Surveys: Collect feedback from users to understand their satisfaction levels and identify areas for improvement.
• Case Studies: Conduct detailed case studies of several cooperatives to showcase the practical benefits and challenges of the platform.
• Economic and Environmental Impact Analysis: Conduct studies to quantify the economic benefits (e.g., cost savings, increased local spending) and environmental benefits (e.g., reduced carbon footprint) of the platform.

Our solution is unique because it combines the following elements:

• Decentralized Cooperative Management: Using smart contracts to automate the setup and management of cooperatives, ensuring transparency and trust.
• Integrated Supply Chain Management: Automating supply chain processes to match demand with supply efficiently, reduce waste, and optimize prices.
• Community Engagement: Facilitating community involvement in the governance and decision-making processes of the cooperatives.

Who Will Benefit

• Consumers: Will have access to high-quality, locally produced food that meets their dietary preferences.
• Food Producers: Will benefit from direct sales to consumers, reducing intermediaries and increasing profits.
• Local Communities: Will see economic and environmental benefits from local food production and consumption.
• Cardano Ecosystem: Will benefit from the increased adoption and use of the Cardano blockchain for real-world applications, enhancing its reputation and value.

Importance to Cardano

Our platform will significantly benefit the ecosystem while increasing Total Value Locked (TVL) and onboarding new users. This is why:

Enhanced Real-World Utility

The platform will demonstrate Cardano's practical applications beyond cryptocurrency, showcasing its ability to solve real-world problems in the agricultural and food sectors.

User-Friendly Interface

By providing an intuitive interface for non-crypto users to interact with blockchain technology, the platform will lower the entry barrier for new users in the Cardano ecosystem. Our goal is that simple users do not even realize that revolutionary blockchain technology is used in the background when using this platform.

Token Creation and Staking

We will introduce new tokens representing food products or cooperative shares, which users will stake or hold, directly contributing to Cardano's TVL.

Increased Network Activity 👻

As farmers, consumers, and other stakeholders interact with the platform, it will generate more transactions on the Cardano network, increasing overall network activity and utility.

Ecosystem Expansion

The platform will likely require additional tools and services, spurring the development of complementary projects within the Cardano ecosystem.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Integration

Smart contracts could facilitate peer-to-peer lending and borrowing for farmers, creating new DeFi opportunities and increasing TVL through locked collateral.

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

Positive Impact on the Cardano Community:

Enhanced Community Engagement: By utilizing blockchain technology, the platform will empower local communities to participate actively in food production and distribution. This participatory approach aligns with Cardano's mission of creating a more inclusive financial system.

Support for Local Economies: The cooperative model will prioritize local producers, thereby strengthening community ties and promoting economic resilience within the Cardano ecosystem.

Sustainability and Transparency: Smart contracts will ensure transparency in transactions and resource allocation, reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices in food sourcing.

Measuring Impact

To assess the project's impact, both quantitative and qualitative metrics will be employed:

Quantitative Metrics:

• Access Numbers: Track the number of users engaging with the platform.
• Sales Data: Measure total sales volume and frequency of transactions.
• Community Participation: Record volunteer hours and participation rates in cooperative activities.

Qualitative Metrics:

• User Satisfaction Surveys: Conduct regular surveys to gauge member satisfaction and areas for improvement.
• Case Studies: Develop case studies highlighting success stories within the cooperative model.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities

• Community Reports: Regularly publish reports detailing project progress, impact metrics, and success stories on community forums and social media platform
• Workshops and Webinars: Host educational sessions to share insights on cooperative management, blockchain technology and sustainable practices with both cooperatives members and the broader Cardano community
• Collaborative Partnerships: Work with local organizations, agricultural groups and other cooperatives to disseminate findings and best practice

Value Addition to the Cardano Community

Besides the possibility for ADA-Holders to buy their food with ADA 🚀, the successful implementation of this project will also demonstrate the practical applications of blockchain technology in enhancing community resilience and sustainability. It will serve as a model for future projects within the Cardano ecosystem, showcasing how decentralized solutions can address real-world challenges like food insecurity and economic disparity.

[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?

The core team brings a robust blend of technical expertise and industry knowledge, positioning us uniquely to deliver a high-quality, impactful solution.

Our Project Lead possesses deep expertise in software development and blockchain technology, with a particular focus on Cardano's ecosystem. They are proficient in Plutus and Aiken (Cardano's smart contract languages), and have a comprehensive understanding of the eUTXO model and Ouroboros consensus mechanism. This expertise ensures that our smart contracts will be efficiently designed, securely implemented, and fully leverage Cardano's capabilities.

Complementing our technical leadership, our UX/UI Design specialist brings critical user-centric design skills to the project. They have a proven track record in creating intuitive interfaces for various applications, simplifying complex concepts for end-users. Their expertise in responsive design and (blockchain-)specific UX considerations will be crucial in ensuring our platform is accessible and user-friendly, a key factor for adoption in the food industry where technical expertise may vary among stakeholders.

What sets our team apart is the integration of industry-specific knowledge through our expert consultants. Our Agri-food Industry Expert brings invaluable insights into the food supply chain, industry standards, and current pain points.

Our Supply Chain Business Consultant will guide us in optimizing existing food supply chain processes through blockchain technology. Their expertise will ensure that our platform not only leverages the technical benefits of blockchain but also aligns with practical business operations in the food industry.

The Blockchain Business Consultant plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between our technical capabilities and business use cases. Their input will be vital in ensuring that our platform is not just technically sound but also commercially viable and attractive to potential users in the food industry.

This well-rounded team composition allows us to approach the development from multiple angles:

1. We can build a technically robust solution that fully utilizes Cardano's advanced features.
2. We can ensure the platform addresses specific challenges and needs within the food industry.
3. We can create a user-friendly interface that encourages adoption across various stakeholders in the food supply chain.

Our phased development approach, as outlined in our 6-month roadmap, demonstrates our commitment to feasibility validation. We've incorporated regular milestones, integration testing, and user acceptance testing to continuously assess and refine our solution.

To ensure trust and accountability, we've implemented several measures:

• Multi-signature wallet for transparent fund management
• Regular financial and progress reporting
• Independent smart contract audits
• Open communication channels with the community

In conclusion, our team's combination of technical blockchain expertise, industry-specific knowledge, and user-centric design principles, coupled with our commitment to transparency and accountability, makes us exceptionally well-suited to deliver as proposed.

We are confident in our ability to create a solution that not only demonstrates the practical application of Cardano smart contracts in the agri-food industry but also provides real-world value to both the Cardano ecosystem and the food sector.

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

Requirements Gathering and Design [1 Month]

Backend and Smart Contract Architecture

• Set up development environments
• Design smart contract structure and identify actions
• Design API endpoints

UI/UX

• Identify core features for the MVP
• Create detailed user stories for essential functionalities
• Create UI/UX wireframes and mockups

Technical Specification

• Document the smart contract specifications
• Outline the integration points with the UI

Development and Testing [2 Month]

Contract Implementation

• Develop core smart contract validators
• Implement core backend services
• Develop and test API endpoints

UI/UX

• Create responsive layouts for various devices
• Implement core screens for member interaction

Unit Testing

• Write comprehensive unit tests
• Conduct initial security checks

Testnet Deployment

• Deploy smart contracts to preview testnet

MVP Frontend and Integration [2 Month]

Smart Contract Integration

• Connect frontend to API and smart contracts on preview testnet
• Ensure basic operations work end-to-end

UI/UX

• Finalize functional user interface
• Integrate frontend with backend API

User Testing

• Conduct limited user testing (pilot)
• Gather feedback on core functionalities

Project Close-out and Demo [1 Month]

Project Close-out Report

• Compile a report summarizing the MVP development process
• Document lessons learned and next steps

Demo Video Creation

• Produce a short video showcasing the MVP's core features
• Highlight the potential of the full-scale platform

Future Roadmap

• Outline plans for expanding the MVP to a full product
• Identify key areas for improvement based on user feedback

[Have a little celebration! 🥳]

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

Alois Gutmann - Project Lead, Full Stack Developer

• Project development oversight
• Smart contracts
• Backend and DevOps

Alexander Pichler-Bavandi - Frontend Developer, UI/UX Designer

• Intuitive UI design
• User flows and wireframes
• Seamless UX across devices

Eva Renner - Food Market Owner, Supply Chain Business Consultant

• Organic food market consumer demand and market trends
• Food safety protocols and regulations
• Organic certification process

Florian Bernhard - Agri-food Industry Expert

• Deep understanding of agricultural supply chains and food industry processes
• Knowledge of traceability systems and food safety regulations
• Experience in implementing technology solutions in the agri-food sector

John Santi - Blockchain Business Consultant

• Technical Integration and Architecture
• Risk Management and Compliance
• Business Acumen

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

Development Team: 100,000 ADA (67%)

• Project Management, Smart Contracts and Backend (30h/week) 60,000 ADA
• UI/UX Design and Frontend Development (20h/week): 40,000 ADA

Consulting and Expert Roles: 45,000 ADA (30%)

• Supply Chain Business Consultant (10h/week) 15,000 ADA
• Blockchain Business Consultant (10h/week) 15,000 ADA
• Agri-food Industry Expert (10h/week) 15,000 ADA

Other Costs: 5,000 ADA (3%)

• Infrastructure, Tools and Miscellaneous: 3,000 ADA
• Marketing and Promotion 1,000 ADA
• Contingency Funds 1,000 ADA

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

The development team and consultants involved in this project are demonstrating a significant commitment to the Cardano ecosystem and the project's mission by accepting compensation that is actually lower than what they earn in the private sector. This dedication is particularly noteworthy given their expertise and the project's complexity. The willingness of highly skilled professionals to work on this project at rates below their market value is a strong indicator of the project's perceived potential.

Sacrifice and Commitment

Lets be frank - the compensation we're receiving for this project is well below what we could command in the corporate world. For instance: A senior blockchain developer can easily earn €100,000 or more annually in private companies. Our consultants, with their specialized knowledge in supply chain and agri-food industries, typically charge daily rates that would make your eyes water.

Yet, here we are, pouring our expertise into this project for a fraction of those rates. Why? Because we believe in what we're building.

Why We're Doing This

It's not just about the money for us. We're driven by:

1. The potential impact of this platform on food supply chains
2. Our belief in Cardano's technology and its future
3. The opportunity to work on cutting-edge blockchain applications
4. The chance to contribute to a community we're passionate about

Our Long-term Vision

We see this project as an investment in our future and in the future of Cardano. Sure, we're tightening our belts now, but we're betting on the long-term success of both this platform and the broader Cardano ecosystem. If we succeed, the opportunities that will open up for us and everyone who wants to eat healthy and locally grown food, are immense.

Value for Money

Our willingness to work for less than market rates means that the project is getting top-tier talent at a fraction of the usual cost. We're not just employees or contractors; we're invested partners in this venture. Our commitment goes beyond the financial - we're putting our reputations and future prospects on the line because we believe in what we're doing. In conclusion, while the budget might seem significant, it's actually providing exceptional value. The team you're getting is worth far more than what's being paid, and that additional value is our investment in the project's success.

We're not just here for a paycheck - we're here to revolutionize food cooperatives on the blockchain, and we believe Cardano is the platform to make it happen!

"We're Cardano, and if you'll permit us, we would like to change the world." - Charles Hoskinson