Brailie | Empowering Cardano Growth In Eastern Africa

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Tharindu Madhusanka

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Mwendwa Jovin

Liz Ingle

[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)

Establishing regional ecosystem hubs in Eastern Africa while also utilizing the media to give it awareness and at the same time boost Cardano's visibility and adoption across Eastern Africa.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[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.”

We are dependent on local partnerships for community integration which is essential for localized engagement and sustainability.

[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

All developed tools, platforms & strategies will be made open ensuring accessibility and community contribution.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

To solve the problem of Cardano penetration in these regions, Brailie plans to establish ecosystem hubs in at least a city across Eastern Africa.

These hubs will serve as centers for Cardano awareness, education, and community building, featuring workshops, meetups, and collaborative projects.

The reason we are approaching it this way is to allow the potential users to be reached in the native language they understand, explaining the fundamentals of Cardano to them.

Our solution includes developing localized content and marketing strategies tailored to the unique cultural and economic landscapes of each region, thereby fostering a more inclusive and diverse global Cardano community.

We will prove our impact by providing evidence of over 1000 people directly onboarded to Cardano throughout the duration of this proposal.

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

Our project will dramatically increase Cardano's footprint in underrepresented regions, contributing to global decentralization goals.

Success metrics include increased local blockchain startups, higher Cardano adoption rates in these regions, and active community hubs.

Outcomes will be shared through regular reports and presentations at Cardano community events.

[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?

Brailie is very much Capable of delivering this project as our team is made up of experts in web3 and regional marketing.

Our feasibility is validated by previous successes in similar contexts but in the web2 space and we believe that getting funded in this Fund 13 would allow us execute this proposal to the best of our ability

Trust will be maintained through transparent reporting and community involvement in project milestones.

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

Establish First Hub In East Africa and Begin Community Workshops

A: Milestone Outputs

Establishment of the first ecosystem hub in at least a key city in East Africa (Dar Es Salam Or Zanzibar).

Initiation of the first series of local community workshops focused on blockchain education and Cardano adoption.

B: Acceptance Criteria

Ecosystem hub is fully operational in the first East African City with at least two community workshops held with a minimum attendance of 250 participants each.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

Photographs or video of the operational hub.

Workshop schedules and participant lists.

Feedback forms and testimonials from workshop attendees.

Create and Launch Localized Marketing Campaigns

A: Milestone Outputs

Development and launch of targeted marketing campaigns in local languages.

Engagement metrics such as reach, impressions, and interactions are tracked and reported.

B: Acceptance Criteria

Successful creation and dissemination of marketing materials across multiple channels including social media, local media, and online platforms.

25% increase in local community engagement as evidenced by social media analytics and website traffic.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

Samples of marketing materials used.

Reports from analytics tools showing engagement statistics.

Evaluate Impact and Expand to Additional Cities

A: Milestone Outputs

Comprehensive evaluation report detailing the impact of the hub and marketing campaigns on local Cardano adoption.

Identification and preparation for expansion into two additional cities.

B: Acceptance Criteria

Report shows clear metrics on increased awareness and engagement, and outlines lessons learned and best practices.

Plans for the next two hubs are approved based on the successful model of the first.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

A detailed impact assessment report.

Documentation of city selection and preliminary setup for new hubs

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

Braille team and this proposal is led by Tharindu Madhusanka, a seasoned marketing expert with over 5 years of marketing experience under his belt.

Our other team members include Liz Ingle who also has a plethora of experience as a growth lead and she is in charge of our business development.

We also have Mwendwa Jovin who is our East African regional marketing specialist in charge of the community growth and engagement.

You can find Tharindu Madhusanka on Medium here: https://medium.com/@tharindumadhusanka1000

You can also check out Liz Ingle on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizingle

Find Mwendwa Jovin on Linkedin: https://tz.linkedin.com/in/jovin-mwendwa-1931411b6

Additional team members and volunteers will be recruited with expertise in local business relations and community engagement.

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

Milestone 1: Establish First Hub and Begin Community Workshops

Facility Leasing (6 Months): 14,000 ADA (Includes) Rent, utilities, and initial setup costs for the first hub.

Staff Salaries (6 Months): 10,000 ADA (Salaries for the initial team which includes a hub manager, an educator and support staff for the first 6 months)

Technology Infrastructure: 5,000 ADA (Computers, licenses, and internet setup for the hub)

Workshop Materials: 3,000 ADA (Educational materials, promotional items, and refreshments for workshops)

Subtotal for Milestone 1: 32,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Launch Localized Marketing Campaigns

Marketing Materials: 10,000 ADA (Development and production of digital and physical marketing materials tailored to the local market)

Advertising Costs: 5,000 ADA (Online advertising, local media buys, and community outreach programs)

Additional Staff for Marketing: 2,500 ADA (Temporary staff or agency fees for the intensive campaign period)

Subtotal for Milestone 2: 17,500 ADA

Final Milestone: Evaluate Impact and Expand to Additional Cities

Impact Evaluation Costs: 5,000 ADA (Data collection, analysis, and report preparation to assess the outreach and effectiveness of the hub)

Expansion Planning: 8,000 ADA (Research and initial groundwork for setting up additional hubs, including travel and consultation fees)

Contingency and Miscellaneous: 5,000 ADA (Reserved for unexpected costs and to ensure flexibility in project execution)

Subtotal for Final Milestone: 18,000 ADA

Total Allocated: 67,500 ADA

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

The budget for Brailie's project has been meticulously planned to ensure each ADA allocated maximizes value for the Cardano ecosystem, particularly in underrepresented regions of East Africa.

The total budget of 67,500 ADA encompasses comprehensive activities from hub establishment to expansive marketing and strategic expansion.

Here's how we ensure value for money:

Proportional Costs: The costs related to facility leasing, staff salaries, and marketing activities have been benchmarked against local economic conditions in the targeted regions. Salaries are set according to the local average for tech and marketing professionals, ensuring competitive compensation that supports community livelihoods while maintaining budget efficiency.

Efficient Allocation: The project's expenditure is strategically distributed across three major milestones to maintain focus and efficiency:

Establishment and Operation of Hubs: Significant initial investment in infrastructure ensures the hubs are well-equipped to serve their purpose, maximizing the impact of face-to-face interactions and hands-on workshops.

Marketing and Outreach: Investment in localized marketing campaigns is crucial to increase Cardano's visibility and adoption, thus expanding the blockchain's user base and fostering a supportive community.

Evaluation and Expansion: Funds allocated for impact assessment and planning for additional hubs ensure the project’s sustainability and scalability, critical for long-term impact.

Direct Benefits to Cardano: By focusing on education and adoption, the project directly contributes to expanding the Cardano network, enhancing the blockchain's utility, and fostering a robust ecosystem. Each ADA spent is aimed at creating lasting community value, increasing the number of active users, and developers on the Cardano platform.

Sustainable Impact: The project's outputs, including educational materials and community development strategies, will remain as long-term assets within the community. These resources will continue to generate value beyond the lifecycle of the current funding period.

Transparency and Reporting: Regular financial and progress reports will ensure that all stakeholders are updated on how funds are used, reinforcing accountability and trust in the management of the allocated resources.