Cardano blockchain introductory workshops for French-speaking Central African countries

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Samuel Wanzaluendo

[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

Norbert Vaheni

Justin Bihango

Elias Semajeri

Rodrigue Kalumendo

Joy Muvunga

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

7

[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)

Organize online and in-person workshops to introduce the Cardano blockchain to businesses and entrepreneurs in francophone Central Africa, providing accessible training and practical use cases.

[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 will be making the project open source throughout its entire lifecycle, ensuring that all resources, documentation, and related tools are freely accessible for the wider Cardano and blockchain communities. Our aim is to foster collaboration, improve accessibility, and enable individuals from various regions to benefit from and contribute to the project.

License:

We intend to use the MIT License for the project. This license is chosen for its permissive nature, allowing anyone to freely use, modify, and distribute the project's outputs while maintaining the ability to integrate improvements from the community.

Open Source Components:

• Training materials and resources: All educational content, slides, and documentation used during the workshops will be hosted in a public repository. This ensures that individuals who could not attend the sessions can still benefit from the knowledge shared.
• Code examples and tools: Any technical tools or code used for hands-on demonstrations during the workshops will be open source. This includes basic Cardano DApps or smart contract examples, ensuring transparency and enabling participants to study and build upon the code.

Further Information:

Our focus on being open source stems from the need to break down barriers to learning and ensure that the knowledge shared during these workshops can be reused, improved, and redistributed freely. We also believe that an open-source model aligns with the ethos of blockchain technology, where collaboration and transparency are key to innovation and progress.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Understanding the Problem:

In Central Africa’s francophone countries, the adoption of blockchain technology, particularly Cardano, remains limited due to a lack of accessible resources in French. Most educational materials, tools, and documentation for Cardano are in English, creating a language barrier that prevents businesses, entrepreneurs, and students from understanding and adopting this powerful technology. This hinders their ability to leverage Cardano’s blockchain solutions, such as Atala PRISM for identity management and Smart Contracts for automation, to improve processes like supply chain transparency and cost efficiency.

Our Approach:

We propose organizing comprehensive workshops, both online and in-person, that introduce the Cardano blockchain to participants in French. These workshops will focus on demystifying blockchain technology and showcasing practical applications of Cardano for local businesses, students, and entrepreneurs. We believe that direct engagement, hands-on training, and targeted content will effectively bridge the knowledge gap.

Our approach includes:

• Interactive sessions led by blockchain and Cardano ecosystem experts, simplifying complex concepts into digestible, relatable material.
• Real-world use cases that demonstrate how Cardano can solve existing business challenges in the region, such as supply chain management and financial inclusion.
• Localized resources in French, ensuring long-term accessibility for all participants.

Who Will Benefit:

The primary beneficiaries will be:

1. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Central Africa that need modern, cost-effective solutions to enhance business efficiency.
2. Entrepreneurs looking for innovative ways to solve local problems using blockchain technology.
3. Students and blockchain enthusiasts who are eager to explore Cardano but lack access to resources in their native language.

By empowering these groups with the right tools and knowledge, we will foster a new wave of adoption for Cardano in francophone Africa.

Demonstrating Impact:

We will measure our success through:

• Workshop participation numbers (target: 1000+ participants).
• Feedback surveys post-training (target: 80% satisfaction).
• Case studies highlighting businesses and individuals who successfully adopt Cardano solutions after the training (target: 50+ SMEs adopting Cardano-based solutions).

Why This Matters for Cardano:

This project is crucial for expanding Cardano's footprint in underrepresented regions. By offering education in French, we can tap into a vast and often overlooked market, bringing Cardano’s blockchain advantages to a new audience. This initiative aligns with Cardano’s mission to drive global adoption, foster financial inclusion, and empower individuals and businesses through decentralized technologies.

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

Positive Impact on the Wider Cardano Community:

Our project aims to expand Cardano’s ecosystem by introducing blockchain technology to a new demographic in francophone Central Africa. By breaking the language barrier, we will enable businesses, students, and entrepreneurs to understand and adopt Cardano’s blockchain solutions, thus creating more real-world use cases and driving further adoption.

This initiative will bring the following positive impacts to the Cardano community:

1. Increased adoption of Cardano in French-speaking Africa, with businesses integrating Cardano-based tools like Atala PRISM and Smart Contracts to improve operations.
2. Expansion of the Cardano developer ecosystem by creating a new base of skilled users and developers who can contribute to the network’s growth.
3. Stronger visibility for Cardano, as this project will showcase Cardano’s use cases and how it can solve real problems in supply chains, finance, and business operations in these regions.

Measuring the Impact:

We will measure the project’s impact both quantitatively and qualitatively:

• Quantitative Metrics:

• Number of participants in workshops (target: 1000+ across online and physical sessions).
• Number of SMEs and businesses adopting Cardano solutions (target: 50+).
• Downloads and access to training materials in French (target: 2000+).

• Qualitative Metrics:

• Participant feedback through surveys (target: 80% satisfaction rate).
• Success stories of businesses and entrepreneurs who implement Cardano after the training.

These metrics will help us track the project’s reach and effectiveness.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

While the outputs of the project (guides, training materials, etc.) will not be open source, they will be widely shared with:

• Workshop participants through direct access, allowing them to use and revisit the materials post-training.
• Local business communities via partnerships with economic stakeholders to ensure Cardano's solutions reach relevant sectors.
• The broader Cardano community through conference presentations, webinars, and online reports summarizing the project’s success, lessons learned, and adoption rates.

[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?

We have a skilled and diverse team with strong expertise in Cardano blockchain and management systems, which equips us to successfully deliver this project.

• Kambale Mechack, a Web 3 and Blockchain developer, will lead the project to ensure that every phase is executed smoothly and effectively. With hands-on experience in blockchain development and a strong understanding of the Cardano ecosystem, Kambale will ensure that the project stays on track, aligns with Cardano’s goals, and delivers high-quality outputs.
• Samuel Wanzaluendo, a Web developer and Blockchain enthusiast, will organize and coordinate all the online training sessions. His role will also involve engaging with local economic players and businesses to raise awareness and interest in the project.
• Rodrigue Kalumendo, PhD in Management Information Systems, will oversee the editorial aspect of the project. He will ensure that all training materials are clear, comprehensive, and accessible to non-technical audiences, helping bridge the gap between blockchain concepts and business applications.
• Elias Semajeri, PhD in Management Information Systems, will manage stakeholder relations. He will act as a liaison between the team and the participating SMEs, ensuring that the project meets the needs of businesses and provides practical solutions.

Steps to Validate Feasibility:

We are confident in the feasibility of this project due to the following steps:

1. Research & Consultation: In the initial phase, we will consult with blockchain experts, SMEs, and local economic players to understand the specific needs and challenges in these markets. This research will ensure our approach is relevant and targeted.
2. Phased Implementation: We will implement the project in phases—research, guide creation, feedback, and final release. This structured approach allows us to monitor progress, make adjustments, and ensure all milestones are met on time.
3. Expert Collaboration: By involving Cardano ecosystem experts and industry professionals, we ensure that the educational content is accurate and practical, ensuring a high-quality output that will resonate with local businesses.

Managing Funds and Accountability:

We are committed to managing project funds with the highest level of trust and accountability. Here are the steps we’ll follow to ensure transparency:

1. Detailed Budget Tracking: We will maintain detailed records of how funds are allocated and spent. This includes maintaining receipts, invoices, and a breakdown of costs for each project phase.
2. Regular Financial Reporting: We will provide quarterly financial reports to update the Cardano community on how funds are being used. These reports will be transparent and shared through appropriate Cardano channels to ensure full accountability.
3. Milestone-Based Payments: We will structure the fund distribution based on the achievement of specific milestones (research, creation of guides, training sessions). This ensures that funds are spent appropriately, only after each deliverable is successfully completed.

By implementing these measures, we will demonstrate both our capacity to manage the project and our accountability to ensure the responsible use of funds.

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

Phase 1: Preparation & Collaboration with Experts (1 month)

• Objective: Lay the groundwork for the project by engaging with Cardano experts and identifying target groups.

• Key Activities:

• Select and onboard experts in the Cardano ecosystem who will lead the training sessions.
• Identify the main target audience in Central African Francophone countries (PMEs, entrepreneurs, and students).

• Deliverable: A complete list of selected experts and target participants, along with a collaboration plan.

• Acceptance Criteria: Experts confirmed for all sessions, identified participants from at least 3 regions in DRC, Congo-Brazzaville, and Gabon.

Phase 2: Online & In-Person Workshops (4 months)

• Objective: Educate participants on Cardano blockchain basics and its practical applications through a mix of online and physical workshops.

• Key Activities:

• Conduct online sessions to explain Cardano's ecosystem, with a focus on its practical uses.
• Organize in-person workshops in key cities across the three countries for hands-on case studies and practical sessions.

• Deliverable: Completed online and physical workshops in all targeted regions.

• Acceptance Criteria: At least 6 online sessions (2 per country) and 3 in-person workshops, with attendance from 50+ participants per session.

Phase 3: Monitoring, Follow-up & Evaluation (2 months)

• Objective: Measure the impact of the workshops and gather participant feedback to ensure ongoing engagement with the Cardano ecosystem.

• Key Activities:

• Collect feedback and success stories from workshop participants to assess the practical impact of the training.
• Publish results and adoption examples to showcase how Cardano is being implemented by SMEs and entrepreneurs.

• Deliverable: A detailed evaluation report with testimonials and case studies of Cardano adoption.

• Acceptance Criteria: Final report showing at least 50 participants reporting improvements or adoption of Cardano solutions, and public documentation of success stories.

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

Kambale Mechack (Project Leader)

• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn
• Role: Ensures project execution and smooth operations as the team lead, overseeing the entire initiative and ensuring successful delivery.

Samuel Wanzaluendo (Session Organizer & Contact Manager)

• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn
• Role: Organizes online sessions and coordinates communication with economic stakeholders, ensuring broad reach and participation.

Rodrigue Kalumendo (Editorial Lead)

• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn
• Role: Handles the editorial tasks, translating complex blockchain topics into easy-to-understand materials for SMEs and entrepreneurs.

Elias Semajeri (Relational Lead)

• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn
• Role: Manages relationships with professionals and SMEs, ensuring the needs of participants are understood and met throughout the project.

Rodriguez Boloyo (Blockchain Expert)

• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn
• Role: Supports with technical blockchain expertise, particularly focused on Cardano’s ecosystem and practical implementations for SMEs.

Planned Recruitment

• Blockchain Experts: Two additional experts in Cardano and blockchain will be recruited to strengthen the team. Their roles will include providing advanced technical insights and leading some of the more technical training sessions.

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

Research and collaboration with experts: 10,000 ADA

   Consultations with experts in the Cardano ecosystem to understand the needs of SMEs.

   Identification of key targets (SMEs, entrepreneurs and students) in French-speaking Central African countries.

Organization of workshops (online and face-to-face): ADA 20,000

   Set-up costs for online training sessions (videoconferencing platforms, presentation tools).

   Logistical costs for face-to-face workshops (space rental, equipment, transportation costs for speakers).

Creation of educational content and materials: 15,000 ADA

   Writing and design of educational materials (guides, brochures, presentations).

   Collaboration with specialists to ensure content is accessible.

Marketing and dissemination: 15,000 ADA

   Promotion of workshops via communication channels (social networks, newsletters, events).

   Organization of webinars and online events to attract a wider audience.

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

The Cardano ecosystem is set to be promoted and expanded in three French-speaking Central African countries (RDC, Congo Brazzaville, and Gabon) with a total request of 60,000 ADA. This project will provide excellent value for money, as it will position Cardano as a leader in these regions, leading to increased adoption, development of local dApps, and participation in the Cardano ecosystem.

The research and collaboration costs will be 10,000 ADA, which will allow for the hiring of recognized blockchain and Cardano experts to ensure high-quality educational content. The organization of workshops will cost 20,000 ADA, covering logistics, venue selection, online infrastructure, and materials availability. High-quality, tailored educational materials will be created in French, addressing the current lack of resources. Marketing efforts will focus on raising awareness of Cardano in underrepresented regions, covering social media campaigns, community outreach, and partnerships with local institutions.

The project's strategic impact is significant, as it positions Cardano as a leader in French-speaking Central Africa, leading to increased adoption, local innovation, and wider adoption across Francophone Africa. The project's efficient use of resources ensures all funds directly contribute to the project's success, and each cost item is justified based on market rates in the region.

In conclusion, the cost of this project is proportionate to the scale of the work but also essential for maximizing impact and ensuring a sustainable introduction of Cardano in French-speaking African countries. The potential to unlock untapped markets and increase Cardano's adoption in new regions represents immense value for the ecosystem.