Bridging the Gap: Cardano Education for the Disadvantaged

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Awura Asamoa

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

Individual

[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)

Provide targeted blockchain and Cardano education to less privileged individuals and orphans, empowering them with skills and opportunities to improve their financial and social prospects.

[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

All project outputs, including the curriculum, training materials, and any tools developed during the project, will be made available under an open-source license. This ensures that these resources can be freely accessed, modified, and distributed by anyone within the Cardano community and beyond.

By making the project open source, we aim to:

1. Promote widespread access: Allow other communities and organizations to use or adapt the materials to educate more people.
2. Foster collaboration: Enable developers, educators, and enthusiasts to contribute to and improve upon the resources.
3. Ensure sustainability: The open-source nature allows continuous updates and expansion by a global audience, even after the project concludes.

This approach aligns with the decentralized ethos of Cardano and will help scale the impact of the initiative globally.

[METADATA] Horizons

Training

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution is to create a comprehensive educational program tailored to the less privileged and orphans, introducing them to the opportunities within the Cardano ecosystem and blockchain technology. The program will include the following components:

1. Curriculum Development: A well-structured curriculum that covers the basics of blockchain, decentralized finance, and specific applications of Cardano. The content will be simplified to accommodate learners with no technical background.
2. Workshops and Hands-on Training: Conduct in-person and virtual workshops where participants will be taught how to use and interact with the Cardano platform. These sessions will focus on practical applications (dApps) for economic empowerment.
3. Mentorship Program: Participants will be paired with mentors from the blockchain industry, who will guide them through advanced topics and provide career guidance, helping them explore job opportunities, entrepreneurship, and project development within the Cardano ecosystem.
4. Open-Source Resources: All educational materials, tools, and resources created will be made open-source, allowing other communities to replicate or adapt the program in their own regions.

By equipping participants with blockchain knowledge and skills, this solution seeks to empower them to improve their socio-economic conditions and participate in a decentralized digital economy.

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

This project seeks to provide the less privileged and orphans with knowledge and access to opportunities in the Cardano ecosystem. By offering targeted education on blockchain technology and decentralized finance, participants will gain insights into how they can use these tools to improve their socio-economic standing. The program will help individuals build a path toward financial independence, digital literacy, and personal development, fostering long-term empowerment.

Our project will have a significant positive impact on the wider Cardano community in several ways:

1. Increased Adoption and Awareness: By educating underprivileged individuals and orphans about the Cardano platform, the project will introduce new users to the ecosystem, fostering wider adoption. This contributes to the growth of Cardano's user base, especially in regions where awareness may be low.
2. Diversity and Inclusion: The project will promote inclusivity within the Cardano community by providing access to opportunities for marginalized groups. Empowering these individuals with knowledge and skills can lead to the creation of diverse perspectives, innovative projects, and new voices in the blockchain space.
3. Sustainability and Future Growth: By making the educational resources open-source, the project ensures that the impact can be sustained beyond its initial implementation. Other Cardano community members and organizations can build upon these materials, ensuring continuous growth and wider geographic reach.
4. Potential for Innovation: The participants, equipped with blockchain and Cardano knowledge, could eventually contribute to the development of decentralized applications, smart contracts, or other blockchain solutions. This has the potential to generate innovative projects and solutions within the Cardano ecosystem.
5. Community Engagement: The project will engage existing members of the Cardano community, such as developers and mentors, who will actively contribute to educating and mentoring participants. This will foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the community.

By empowering underprivileged individuals, this project aligns with Cardano’s vision of creating positive global change through decentralized systems, benefiting both the participants and the broader Cardano ecosystem.

[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?

This project builds on the robust, decentralized Cardano blockchain, which is known for its low-cost transactions and scalability. Leveraging existing partnerships with educational institutions, Cardano community members, and local organizations, this initiative is feasible within the given timeline. This project will utilize volunteers and blockchain experts to deliver training, while grants and community funds from the Cardano ecosystem can be used to support operational costs. Additionally, the use of digital tools such as webinars and online resources will minimize logistical barriers and increase access to knowledge.

Our capability to deliver the project with high levels of trust and accountability is based on several factors:

1. Experienced Team: The project will be managed by a team of professionals with extensive experience in education, blockchain technology, and community engagement. We have previously led successful educational programs and community projects, including collaborations with organizations that focus on underprivileged groups.
2. Established Partnerships: We will leverage partnerships with local NGOs, orphanages, and educational institutions, as well as members of the Cardano community. These partnerships will ensure smooth access to target participants and support the effective delivery of training programs.
3. Transparent Reporting: We will adopt transparent reporting mechanisms, providing regular updates on milestones, progress, and outcomes. Our open-source resources will allow anyone to access and track the project's development, ensuring accountability.

Validation of Feasibility:

1. Pilot Workshops: We will start with a small-scale pilot workshop to test the curriculum, teaching methods, and engagement with participants. This will provide feedback on the content's relevance and the participants' ability to grasp blockchain concepts, allowing us to make any necessary adjustments.
2. Stakeholder Involvement: We will engage key stakeholders, including Cardano experts, educators, and community leaders, to assess the project’s structure and approach. Their feedback will be used to validate and refine the feasibility of the project.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation: Throughout the project, we will use defined metrics to measure learning progress, participant satisfaction, and overall impact. Data will be collected via surveys, assessments, and participant feedback, ensuring that we are on track to meet our objectives.

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

Milestone 1: Project Kick-off and Outreach 

A: Milestone Output: 1 Month

• Identify target communities and orphanages.
• Develop partnerships and finalize participant lists.

B: Acceptance Criteria:

• Identification of 3-5 target communities, orphanages, or underprivileged groups.
• Partnerships established with local NGOs, educational institutions, and community leaders.
• Outreach to potential participants with at least 100 individuals expressing interest in joining.

C: Evidence of Completion:

• Documented list of communities/orphanages engaged.
• Signed partnership agreements or letters of intent from NGOs and institutions.
• Attendance sheets, interest forms, or registration data confirming 50+ participants

Milestone 2: Curriculum Development

 A: Milestone Output: 1 Month

• Create a tailored educational program that introduces blockchain, Cardano, and financial opportunities.

B: Acceptance Criteria:

• Creation of a comprehensive curriculum covering Cardano, blockchain technology, decentralized finance, and career pathways.
• Collaboration with blockchain experts to review and refine educational materials.
• Curriculum made available for both in-person and virtual delivery.

C: Evidence of Completion:

• Completed curriculum document (digital or physical) with modules and activities.
• Record of expert reviews and feedback incorporated into the curriculum.
• Published materials on an open-source platform or repository.

Milestone 3: Training and Workshops

A: Milestone Output: 3 Months

• Deliver hands-on training through workshops and seminars.
• Introduce participants to Cardano’s ecosystem and its practical applications.
• Ensure follow-up sessions to reinforce learning.

B: Acceptance Criteria:

• At least 10 workshops conducted (virtual or in-person).
• Active participation from over 75% of attendees.
• Participants demonstrate basic blockchain literacy (e.g., creating wallets, understanding smart contracts).

C: Evidence of Completion:

• Workshop reports, agendas, and attendance logs.
• Pr
• Screenshots or records of participants interacting with the Cardano ecosystem.

Milestone 4: Mentorship Program

A: Milestone Output: 2 Months

• Set up a mentorship network where Cardano experts guide participants in applying their knowledge.
• Conduct regular individual and/or group-based mentorship sessions

B: Acceptance Criteria:

• Recruitment of mentors from the Cardano community and blockchain professionals.
• At least 50 participants paired with mentors.
• Regular mentorship sessions conducted (individual or group-based).

C: Evidence of Completion:

• Mentor-participant pairing records.
• Logs or reports from mentorship sessions.
• Participant feedback on the mentorship experience, showing positive impact on their learning and projects.

Milestone 5: Project Evaluation, Expansion and Sustainability Planning

A: Milestone Output: 2 Months

• Gather feedback from participants and measure the project’s impact.
• Adjust the curriculum based on lessons learned.
• Develop plans to expand the program into more regions and secure future funding to ensure sustainability.

B: Acceptance Criteria:

• At least 80% of participants provide feedback through surveys or focus groups.
• Collection of measurable progress data (knowledge assessments, skills tests) from participants.
• Majority of participants report increased blockchain knowledge and confidence in using Cardano.
• Identification of at least 3 new communities for program expansion.
• Development of a sustainability plan with funding sources and partnerships for future growth.
• All educational resources published as open-source.

C: Evidence of Completion:

• Compiled survey or focus group results with participant feedback.
• Reports on participant assessments (e.g., quiz scores, practical test outcomes).
• Analysis report indicating the impact of the program based on feedback and performance.
• Roadmap document detailing the expansion plan and targeted communities.
• Partnership or funding proposals secured for the next phase.
• Educational materials published and publicly available for reuse. 

Final Milestone: Project Close-Out Report and Video

A: Milestone Outputs: 1 month

• Completion of a final project report, detailing the achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and overall impact of the project.
• Production of a video summarizing the project journey, showcasing key successes, and sharing the impact on the less privileged and the Cardano community.

B: Acceptance Criteria:

• Submission of a comprehensive project report with metrics and analysis on user adoption, contract executions, partnerships, and community engagement.
• A professionally produced video summarizing the project’s outcomes and key milestones, shared with the Cardano community and stakeholders.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Completed project close-out report submitted to Project Catalyst.
• Video uploaded to relevant platforms with links provided.

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

• Awura Asamoa is the lead proposer and project manager for this proposal. She is a graduate in Accounting and currently working with the a web3 development company. Speaker on blockchain technology. Active member of Cardano Ecosystem and hence has extensive knowledge about catalyst and its opportunities. She also works as a claims and billing officer in a hospital. She believes that if these people are able to utilize these opportunities given to them, they will be able to afford better lifestyles and survive. She actively participates in Town Hall meetings on a regular basis. Contact: awuraadwoa402@gmail.com, and twitter @awura_asamoa
• Enoch Odoe is a graduate in Chemistry, blockchain enthusiast. An active member of the Cardano Ecosystem; CA for Fund 8. community reviewer for fund 10 ,11 and 12. A volunteer for onboarding proposals in Fund various Funds. Also, have experienced and broad knowledge about project catalyst.  contact: enochmiracle6@gmail.com, telegram @Odoe1, LinkedIn @Enoch Miracle
• Sandra is a post graduate in Sociology and a lecturer in Social Psychology in University of Ghana, as well as a teacher in Sociology and English in Temple Christian High School. She is an activist in helping the less privileged in finding their footing in life through formal and informal education. She is also blockchain enthusiast and believes that the wider Cardano community can go a long and rewarding way to help people of such background. She is an active member of the Cardano Ecosystem where she was a Community Reviewer in Funds 11 and 12. She also participates actively in town hall meetings and has vast knowledge about the Cardano community. Sandra will spear-head the training and lecturing of the chosen participants for the project and will be in charge of the mentorship sessions. Contact: kakraboakye00@gmail.com

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

-Outreach and Engagement

• Travel expenses for outreach to communities and orphanages – 2,000
• Communication costs (phone calls, internet, outreach materials) – 2,000
• Initial engagement meetings with local NGOs and stakeholders – 1,500

  Subtotal – 5,500

-Curriculum Development

• Hiring educational consultants and blockchain experts for content creation – 2,000
• Design of learning materials (slides, handouts, interactive content) – 1,500
• Digital tools and software for content development – 2,500

  Subtotal – 6,000

-Training and Workshops

• Venue rental (for in-person workshops) – 2,000
• Workshop materials (printed materials, notebooks, pens, projectors) – 1,600
• Trainer fees – 2,000
• Online hosting platform for virtual workshops (Zoom, Google Meet) – 5,000
• Internet access for participants and staff – 5,000
• Refreshments and logistics for participants – 2,000

Subtotal – 17,600

-Mentorship Program

• Recruitment and onboarding of mentors – 1,400
• Platform for mentor-mentee interaction (Zoom, online collaboration tools) – 1,600
• Compensation for mentors (stipend for time and effort) – 2,000
• Administrative support to organize and manage the program – 1,400

Subtotal – 6,400

-Project Evaluation and Feedback

• Design and distribution of surveys for feedback – 1,500
• Data analysis and reporting of the program’s outcomes – 2,000
• Focus group discussions with participants and stakeholders – 1,000
• Honoraria for participants providing detailed feedback – 2,000

Subtotal – 6,500

-Expansion and Sustainability Planning

• Strategic planning meetings with stakeholders – 1,000
• Development of a funding plan and securing future partnerships – 1,500
• Administrative costs for organizing expansion activities – 1,000

Subtotal – 3,500

-Overhead and Miscellaneous

• Unforeseen costs such as additional participant needs, extra logistics, or minor technical support – 2,000

Subtotal – 2,000

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

1. Maximizing Impact for Marginalized Communities: For a relatively modest budget, the project will reach underprivileged individuals and orphans, empowering them with knowledge about Cardano and blockchain technology. This directly aligns with Cardano’s mission to create a more inclusive and decentralized world, giving access to communities that might otherwise be left behind in the digital revolution.
2. Sustainable, Open-Source Approach: All educational materials and resources will be open source, ensuring that they can be reused and adapted by other educators, community groups, and organizations within and beyond the Cardano ecosystem. This means the impact of the project will extend far beyond the initial investment, enabling long-term value creation with minimal ongoing costs.
3. Low-Cost, High-Impact Educational Model: By utilizing a mix of in-person workshops and virtual training, the project reduces costs while maximizing reach. The use of volunteers and blockchain experts from within the Cardano community further reduces expenses, as it minimizes the need for costly external trainers. These cost-saving measures ensure that a significant portion of the budget directly benefits participants.
4. Scalable Model for Future Projects: The project is designed to be scalable, with plans for expansion into more regions and communities in the future. The initial investment sets up a framework for growth, allowing other Cardano-based initiatives to replicate the model without needing to start from scratch. This ensures that the initial funding will create a ripple effect, driving wider adoption of Cardano.
5. Economic Empowerment: By educating participants about decentralized finance and blockchain-based economic models, the project will open up new financial opportunities for marginalized communities. This could lead to more individuals engaging with Cardano-based decentralized applications (dApps) or even starting blockchain-based businesses, further expanding the Cardano ecosystem and creating value for the community as a whole.
6. Contribution to the Ecosystem’s Growth and Development: The project will bring new users, developers, and innovators into the Cardano ecosystem, broadening the community and fostering future growth. By equipping individuals with blockchain skills, it not only helps the participants but also enhances Cardano's global presence and ecosystem development.

For an investment of 47,500 ADA, this project offers significant long-term value by:

• Reaching marginalized populations.
• Creating open-source resources.
• Promoting economic empowerment.
• Scaling the Cardano ecosystem through education and awareness.

This cost-effective, high-impact approach ensures that Cardano’s mission of inclusivity and decentralized access to opportunities is realized in a sustainable way.