Castalia: A Network State

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Dr Bharat Harbham

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

Individual

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Erin Magennis

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

3

[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)

Showcase Cardano (via workshops, seminars and more) at a pop-up city happening this year in Mexico City!

[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.”

N/A

[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

Everything will be open sourced and any code will be public, open sourced and published on github

[METADATA] Horizons

Events

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Network states/Pop-up cities have largely been dominated by Ethererum, so this proposal will demonstrate Cardano's involvement in current edge innovation.

The focus of this Network state is real world applications (especially but not limited to) science. Traditional science is slow-moving and bound by outdated, centralized systems. Scientific collaboration is fragmented, and there’s limited awareness of how blockchain can address these issues. This creates barriers to rapid scientific progress, efficient data sharing, and collaborative development.

Our Approach:

Castalia, a network state, will run a three-week event in Mexico City from the end of November to the middle of December. The focus will be on real world applications, in particular, science. Castalia will serve as a pop-up city where participants will work on how blockchain can enhance scientific knowledge and collaboration. The event itself will be blockchain agnostic, it will feature elements of Ethereum and this is an opportunity for it to also feature Cardano

Uniqueness and Relevance to Cardano:

DeSci is an underexplored opportunity in blockchain and science throughout Mexico, we will engage with the local Cardano community and run a series of Cardarno-focused educational sessions and hands-on workshops throughout the three-week event (eg showcasing Marlowe, Aiken, UTXO model and other developments on Cardano). The goal is to increase awareness of Cardano's role in both network states and in science.

Beneficiaries:

The primary beneficiaries will be scientists, biohackers, biotech innovators, and Web3 developers who can leverage blockchain to solve research bottlenecks, secure funding, and collaborate more effectively. Cardano will benefit from increased adoption in the scientific sector, becoming a central pillar in the global decentralized science movement.

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

Impact on Cardano:

Castalia will significantly increase Cardano’s visibility and utility within the decentralized science sector, attracting developers, researchers, and innovators. By integrating with possible real-world use cases, it will showcase Cardano’s blockchain technology in scientific collaboration and will position Cardano as the go-to blockchain for DeSci

Measuring Impact:

We will measure the impact through:

• Quantitative metrics: Participation rates in our events, increased awareness of Cardanos involvement in DeSci.
• Qualitative metrics: Feedback from the scientific community on the value of using Cardano for DeSci.

Sharing Outputs:

All code, tools, and scientific outputs will be open-source and available on GitHub, ensuring transparency and fostering further innovation. We’ll also share insights through social media, community updates, and post-event reports.

[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?

Team Capabilities:

The core team comprises experts in decentralized science, blockchain technology, and event organization. Bharat, the founder of DeSci London, has extensive experience running large-scale events, and workshops, and building communities focused on scientific collaboration through blockchain. Erin, with a background in neuroscience and web3, has successfully launched multiple science-tech ecosystems.

Our team has already organized and participated in network state events globally, including Zuzalu, ZuConnect, and others. We have the technical expertise and community connections needed to bring Castalia to life

Feasibility:

To validate our approach, we will start with small-scale workshops and community events before scaling to larger global collaborations. Continuous feedback will be gathered through surveys and participation metrics to refine and adjust our strategy. Our experience in event management, combined with technical expertise in blockchain, ensures the project’s feasibility and scalability.

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

Milestone 1: Pre-Event Preparations and Setup

A: Milestone Outputs

• Finalize the event venue for Castalia (it will be in Mexico City)
• Confirm participation of 50-100 scientists and developers.
• Secure all necessary equipment and supplies for the event
• Develop and launch promotional materials (social media, website updates).

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Signed venue contract confirming the event space for the 3-week event.
• Participation agreements signed by 50-100 confirmed attendees.
• Invoices or receipts confirming the purchase or rental of scientific equipment and supplies.
• Published promotional content across social media platforms and event website, generating engagement from the DeSci and Cardano communities.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Copy of the signed venue contract.
• List of confirmed participants with signed agreements.
• Receipts or purchase orders for scientific tools and supplies.
• Screenshots or links to promotional content with engagement statistics (e.g., likes, shares, comments, etc.).

Milestone 2: Event Execution – Castalia v0.1

A: Milestone Outputs

• Successfully execute the 3-week Castalia
• Conduct workshops, hackathons, and collaborative experiments focused on decentralized science and Cardano integrations.
• Provide hands-on blockchain education using Cardano tools and technologies.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Completion of the event with at least 80% attendance from confirmed participants.
• Delivery of a minimum of 5 workshops focused on decentralized science and Cardano.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Event attendance records with participant feedback surveys.
• Workshop materials (slides, recordings, etc.) and a summary report of the sessions.

Milestone 3: Post-Event Reporting and Community Engagement

A: Milestone Outputs

• Publish a comprehensive post-event report, detailing outcomes, lessons learned, and next steps for Castalia and Cardano’s involvement in DeSci.
• Share event highlights, achievements, and media (photos, videos) with the Cardano and DeSci communities.
• Conduct follow-up engagement activities to maintain momentum and foster collaboration among participants.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Publication of a detailed report that includes participant feedback, key learnings, and potential future projects.
• Dissemination of event outcomes via social media, the event website, and community channels (Telegram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).
• Evidence of continued communication and planning for future events or collaborations.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Post-event report published and shared with relevant communities (link to the report).
• Screenshots and links to social media posts, video content, and other media related to the event.
• Logs of post-event communications (emails, social media engagement, community follow-ups).
• Link to the final document on the Catalyst platform.  
• Summary video available to the Catalyst community.

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

Bharat: LinkedIn, Twitter

Erin: LinkedIn, Twitter

Bharat - Event Lead: Leverage experience running DeSci London to establish a well run event in, plan workshops, and drive marketing campaigns. 

Erin - Community Manager: Leverage community building experience to ongoingly support local leads, conduct community feedback surveys & assessments, and develop reports. 

We will also be supported by local scientists and developer communities.

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

1. Venue and Event Logistics

• Venue for Cardano workshops etc
• Approx. $7,000
• Increased to ensure a better, larger venue with additional resources and facilities for 50+ participants.
• Includes posters showcasing cardanos involevement
• Catering :
• Approx. $8,000
• Meal options, including snacks and beverages, to improve the participant experience.

2. Equipment and Supplies

• Scientific Equipment (Essential research tools):
• Approx. $5,000
• Expanded the range of equipment to include advanced research tools for higher-quality experiments and collaborations.

3. Third Party Services

• Legal Services (Contracts, liability waivers, etc.):
• Approx. $1,000
• Increased legal service coverage to handle any potential IP issues and further compliance needs.
• Accounting Services (Budget management, tax compliance):
• Approx. $2,500
• More comprehensive accounting support for detailed fund management and compliance.
• Marketing & Community Engagement:
• Approx. $5,000
• Enhanced marketing efforts to boost outreach through more professional campaigns, ads, and better community engagement strategies.

4. Project Management and Documentation

• Project Management & Coordination:
• Approx. $15,000
• ie by local on the ground support staff, to allow for more comprehensive project oversight and coordination, ensuring smooth execution.
• Documentation & Reporting:
• Approx. $3,000
• Enhanced reporting with more detailed documentation, including visual reports, and event media coverage.

5. Contingency Fund

• Unexpected Costs:
• Approx. $3,500
• Increased buffer for any unforeseen costs, such as emergency logistical needs or additional equipment.

Total $50,000

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

Cost Justification:

The majority of the funds will be used for venue deposits, organizing workshops, and renting equipment. The cost is proportional to the scale and impact of the project, as we aim to attract and engage at least one hundred of scientists and developers. By focusing on building a sustainable community, we ensure that the outcomes will continue to grow and provide long-term value to the Cardano ecosystem.

Value for the Cardano Ecosystem:

Castalia represents a strategic investment for Cardano, as it positions the blockchain as a leader in the emerging decentralized science sector. This investment will lead to higher adoption rates, increased developer engagement, and new applications of Cardano’s blockchain in scientific research, governance, and data sharing. The long-term benefits will far outweigh the initial costs, as we lay the foundation for Cardano’s dominance in DeSci.