DReps Ambassadors: Elevating Participation in Cardano’s Governance

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

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

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

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

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

To host an educational summit on the concept of dRep, highlighting its significance in project catalysts to increase community participation.

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

[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?

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

fully open source

[METADATA] Horizons

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Project Overview:

The decentralized governance of Cardano’s Project Catalyst is entering a critical phase, with Delegated Representatives (DReps) playing an increasingly vital role. DReps act as trusted stewards, representing the community in voting, reviewing proposals, and ensuring fair, decentralized decision-making. However, despite the significance of the DRep role, there remains a knowledge gap, especially in emerging Catalyst communities across Africa, where awareness and understanding of this role are limited.

This proposal seeks to address this challenge by establishing a dedicated educational online platform tailored specifically to the African context. The platform will raise awareness, build capacity, and provide comprehensive education on the DRep role, empowering the African community to actively participate in the governance of Project Catalyst.

Through this platform, African community members will gain the skills and knowledge required to understand, participate in, and lead governance discussions and decision-making. In doing so, we will foster a strong, informed network of DReps across the continent, driving more equitable and efficient governance within Catalyst.

Problem Statement:

Currently, many community members in Africa are unaware of the importance of DReps and how they can contribute to governance processes. This knowledge gap leads to underrepresentation in the decision-making process, hindering Africa’s growing participation in Catalyst governance. Additionally, the increasing volume and complexity of proposals in each funding round make it essential for the African community to engage informed DReps to ensure every proposal receives fair and thorough consideration.

Without a dedicated platform to educate and engage African members on the DRep role, the governance ecosystem risks leaving behind key voices that could enrich the decision-making process.

Proposed Solution

We propose to create a dedicated online educational platform focused on:

1. DRep Awareness Campaigns: Hosting virtual workshops in the form of African DRep Summit, highlighting the importance of the DRep role in Cardano’s decentralized governance, and educating community members on how they can become effective DReps.
2. Comprehensive Training Modules: Developing localized educational content that explains the DRep role, its responsibilities, and how to assess and vote on proposals. This content will cater to the specific needs and challenges faced by African Catalyst participants.
3. Mentorship Program: Establishing a mentorship network where experienced DReps and governance leaders from the global Cardano community can guide African members through the DRep onboarding process, ensuring they understand their roles and can effectively represent the interests of their delegators.
4. Community-Driven Feedback and Growth: Providing a space for feedback loops where African Catalyst members can share their experiences and insights, refining the DRep education process based on community needs.

Project Goals:

1. Increased DRep Participation: Engage and educate 1,000+ community members across key African tech hubs, preparing them to become DReps or actively participate in the governance process.
2. Localized Learning: Provide training in possibly multiple African languages (Swahili, Yoruba, Amharic, etc.), ensuring that the platform is accessible to a wide range of participants.
3. Active Engagement in Governance: Ensure that African Catalyst members are equipped to effectively review proposals, vote responsibly, and contribute to Catalyst governance.

FOCUS AREAS

1. DRep Education & Awareness Campaign: Launch a series of online campaigns and workshops to explain the role of DReps, how to engage with the governance process, and the long-term benefits of decentralized decision-making.
2. Localized Training Summit: Organize an annual summit with virtual and in-person attendance options for African Catalyst community members. This summit will provide a detailed overview of the DRep role, voting processes, and governance.
3. Educational Platform Development: Create an online platform where members can access training modules, tutorials, and resources on becoming a DRep and navigating Project Catalyst governance.
4. Mentorship Program: Pair new DReps with experienced mentors to ensure they are fully equipped to participate and make impactful decisions within Catalyst.

Target Audience:

• African developers, educators, and community leaders interested in blockchain governance.
• Catalyst community members in emerging African markets who seek to understand and engage in the DRep process.
• Universities, NGOs, and local organizations that want to drive decentralized governance education in Africa.
• Aspiring DReps from diverse backgrounds eager to represent the voice of their communities in Project Catalyst.

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

Benefits to the community

1. Increased DRep Representation: Boost African representation in the Project Catalyst governance process by training 100+ new DReps in the first year, ensuring African voices are heard in governance discussions.
2. Improved Proposal Review and Voting: Create a knowledgeable base of DReps who can critically assess proposals and make informed decisions, contributing to more efficient and fair governance cycles.
3. Long-Term Ecosystem Growth: By empowering African communities to take part in governance, this initiative will drive long-term growth in Catalyst participation, ensuring sustained engagement from Africa.
4. Greater Awareness of Cardano in Africa: This initiative will help to position Cardano as a key player in Africa’s blockchain ecosystem, attracting new talent and contributors from across the continent.

KPIs:

• Number of community members who complete the DRep training program.
• Growth in the number of active DReps in African Catalyst communities.
• Number of partnerships formed with local African organizations
• Number of workshops, summits, and mentorship sessions conducted.

[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?

Capacity and Accountability:

Catalyst Ecosystem Engagement

Our team has been active in the Catalyst ecosystem since Fund 7, serving as Challenge Team members in development and infrastructure. We have also been involved as Community Advisors, voters, and proponents.

Project Leadership and Experience

We have led multiple initiatives funded by the Catalyst community, executing three community-funded, open-source projects that are available for community verification.

Accountability and Transparency

We ensure transparency by documenting all project stages, including video recordings, and sharing monthly reports across Catalyst-affiliated social media platforms.

Commitment to Community Verification

We submit reports for community validation after project completion and remain dedicated to advancing Catalyst's goals with a focus on credibility and impactful results.

GOAL

The primary objectives of this educational program are:

• To provide a clear understanding of the role and responsibilities of DREPs in the Cardano ecosystem.

• To ensure that DREPs have a basic understanding of the underlying technology, the Cardano protocol, and its governance mechanisms.

• To help DREPs develop critical thinking skills to make informed decisions that align with the best interests of their delegators.

How to validate the feasibility of our approach

We intend to validate our approach by following a few steps. By these steps, the project can validate the feasibility of its approach, ensure that the educational program meets the needs of DREPs, and make necessary adjustments to enhance its effectiveness. Regular monitoring and evaluation will provide valuable insights into the project's feasibility and allow for ongoing improvement and adaptation to meet the goals of empowering DREPs and supporting the growth of the Cardano ecosystem. To validate the feasibility of the project's approach, the following steps can be taken:

• Conduct a Needs Assessment: Gather feedback and input from the Cardano community, particularly DREPs, to identify the gaps in their understanding and educational needs. This can be done through surveys, interviews, and engagement with relevant stakeholders.

• Expert Consultation: Consult with experts in the Cardano ecosystem, including developers, community leaders, and experienced DREPs, to ensure that the proposed educational program covers the essential topics and addresses the key challenges faced by DREPs.

• Pilot Testing: Before launching the full-scale educational program, conduct a pilot phase with a smaller group of DREPs to test the effectiveness of the educational materials, delivery methods, and overall approach. Gather feedback and make necessary adjustments based on the pilot results.

• Continuous Evaluation and Feedback: Implement a robust feedback mechanism throughout the educational program. Collect feedback from participants, track their progress, and evaluate the impact of the program on their knowledge, skills, and decision-making abilities. Regularly assess the effectiveness of the approach and make improvements as needed.

• Monitoring and Reporting: Establish mechanisms to monitor the project's progress and measure its outcomes against the defined goals and milestones. Keep detailed records of participant engagement, feedback, and achievements. Generate regular reports to share with the Cardano community, demonstrating the project's feasibility, progress, and impact.

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

• Participant Registration for the Event

Milestone Output:

• Successful registration of community members for the educational summit.

Milestone Acceptance criteria

• Deliverable: Links to the registered participants for the event.

• Feedback Collection from Participants

Milestone Output

• Comprehensive feedback on the impact of the event on participants' knowledge, skills, and motivation.

Milestone Acceptance crirteria

• To have Feedback collected from participants

• close out report
• close out video

Milestone Output

• To have a close out report
• To have a close out video

Milestone acceptance criteria

• Evidence of close out report
• Evidence of close out video

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

TEAM BACKGROUND

David A. Mensah is a multifaceted professional with a background in education, social services, and administration. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Studies and Economics Education from the University of Education Winneba. His diverse experience includes roles in purchasing, warehousing, security, education, and blockchain advocacy. As a seasoned educator, David is dedicated to imparting knowledge and fostering growth. He is also a community advisor and moderator at Cardano Ecosystem and Project Catalyst, and contributes to the WADA organization, an NGO promoting digital technology and blockchain advocacy in Africa. Additionally, he was a former administrator at YAFO Institute, advocating for meaningful change and development. David is the co-founder of Gateway to Blockchain, an online learning platform for blockchain technology. His passion lies in promoting blockchain technology and its potential impact on various industries, driven by his strong background in education and social services.

makmensah92@gmail.com

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-a-mensah-426848226

Modza Kafui

Modzaka Joshua Kafui is a dedicated student pursuing a BSc in Accounting and Finance. With a passion for blockchain technology, Modzaka actively contributes to Project Catalyst, demonstrating a keen interest in the innovative applications of decentralized finance and distributed ledger technology. Combining academic rigor with practical experience, Modzaka seeks to leverage expertise in finance and accounting to explore the intersections of blockchain technology and traditional financial systems, positioning oneself for impactful contributions to the evolving landscape of decentralized finance.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/modzaka-kafui-570ab32a3utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

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

Budget Allocation

• Administrative costs : 1857

• Equipment and course materials 2000
• Internet data subscription: 1786
• project management tools

Overall Incentives for the summit

• Participants cost : 4000 (2000 per event-2)
• speakers for 2 events: 6000(2000 per each event)
• Miscellaneous costs: 2307

Total: 17950 ADA

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

Value Proposition

The value proposition of the "Empowering African Catalyst Communities" project to the Cardano community is multifaceted:

1. Increased DRep Participation from Africa: By educating and training over 1,000 African community members, the project aims to elevate the number of active Delegated Representatives (DReps) from the continent. This increases African representation and engagement in Cardano's decentralized governance.
2. Better Proposal Review and Voting: Empowering African DReps will improve the overall quality of proposal assessments, ensuring that proposals receive thorough and informed evaluations. This contributes to a more efficient and fair governance cycle within Project Catalyst.
3. Localized and Accessible Education: The creation of localized educational content, including potentially in African languages, will bridge the knowledge gap and make participation in governance more accessible to a broader demographic, including underrepresented voices.
4. Long-Term Ecosystem Growth: By fostering governance awareness and participation, the initiative will drive sustained growth in the African Catalyst community. This ensures long-term engagement, leading to a stronger, more diverse ecosystem for the Cardano network.