Empowering Rural Voices: Cardano Governance Training for Community Impact for 5,000 Rural Students

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Sunday Dominic

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

Entity (Incorporated)

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

12

[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)

Rural students lack awareness of decentralized governance, excluding them from participating in Cardano’s governance models like DReps and influencing community decisions.

[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

This project will be open sourced

[METADATA] Horizons

Governance

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Proposed Solution:

Decentralized governance is transforming decision-making, yet rural students are disconnected from these developments due to a lack of education on blockchain governance models. Without governance education, 5,000 rural students are unable to contribute their voices to Cardano’s decentralized governance initiatives, such as Project Catalyst.

Our solution is to provide Cardano governance education to 5,000 students in rural areas. Over the course of 12 months, the program will teach students about decentralized decision-making, governance models on Cardano, and how they can actively participate in DReps. Through practical workshops, students will learn how to create governance proposals and vote on real decisions within the Cardano ecosystem, giving them direct experience in decentralized governance.

Engagement:

This project will engage students, teachers, and local leaders to ensure that rural communities are represented in Cardano’s governance processes. By teaching governance education, we aim to foster a new generation of rural leaders who can participate in decentralized decision-making.

Impact:

We will measure impact by the number of governance proposals submitted by students, as well as their participation in real voting within Project Catalyst. Our goal is to train 5,000 students who can actively influence decisions in the Cardano ecosystem, giving rural communities a voice in the future of blockchain governance.

Unique Aspects:

Cardano’s governance model is at the cutting edge of decentralized decision-making, and by focusing on rural students, this initiative brings new perspectives and fresh ideas to the platform. Rural students trained in governance will ensure that Cardano’s development reflects the needs of a wider, more diverse global community, strengthening the ecosystem’s inclusivity and impact.

Each solution provides a clear, detailed plan to engage 5,000 rural students, emphasizing the uniqueness and impact of these programs within the Cardano ecosystem. Let me know if you need further refinement!

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

Impact on the Cardano Community:

This project will train 5,000 rural students in decentralized governance through Cardano’s Project Catalyst, empowering them to participate in blockchain governance. By educating students on governance models, we ensure that their voices and the interests of rural communities are represented in the future direction of the Cardano ecosystem. This increased participation will enhance the diversity and inclusivity of Cardano’s decision-making processes.

Impact Measurement:

We will measure success by:

• The number of governance proposals submitted by students to Project Catalyst.
• The level of student participation in real voting rounds within the Cardano governance framework.
• Qualitative feedback from students about how they’ve applied their governance knowledge within their communities or the Cardano ecosystem.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

We will share our outputs by:

• Publishing governance proposals created by students and encouraging public voting on them within Project Catalyst.
• Collaborating with Project Catalyst and governance education platforms to showcase student achievements and best practices.
• Hosting governance-focused discussions and webinars where students can present their ideas for improving governance on the Cardano blockchain.

[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?

Capability to Deliver:

12 Miles has a solid track record, having trained over 20,000 students and supporting their success in national competitions. Our commitment to elevating rural students is evidenced by their achievements. Partnering with RemoStarts adds further strength to our program, ensuring effective governance education tailored to community needs.

Validation of Feasibility:

To validate feasibility:

1. Engage Experts: Collaborate with governance and blockchain experts to develop an engaging curriculum that is accessible to rural students.
2. Interactive Learning: Incorporate interactive modules to enable students to experience governance processes hands-on.
3. Feedback Mechanism: Establish a continuous feedback mechanism to evaluate student understanding and program impact.

Trust and Accountability in Fund Management:

To establish trust:

• Creating a detailed budget that allocates funds to each program element, including curriculum development and student engagement activities.
• Regularly reporting financial status to stakeholders and involving them in decision-making regarding fund allocation.
• Maintaining open communication with community members to build trust and ensure accountability in fund management.

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

Milestone 1: Curriculum Design and Pilot Program (Months 1-3)

• Activities:
• Governance Research: Work with experts to design a blockchain governance curriculum.
• Pilot Testing: Implement the pilot program in two schools, focusing on governance concepts.
• Feedback Collection: Collect initial feedback to refine the curriculum.
• Expected Outcomes:
• Governance curriculum developed and tested.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• 50 students complete the pilot, with feedback collected and analyzed.
• Estimated Budget: 20,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Program Launch and Hackathon Preparation (Months 4-8)

• Activities:
• Full Program Launch: Deliver governance education to 5,000 students.
• Workshops: Organize workshops covering Cardano governance, community decision-making, and decentralization.
• Hackathon Preparation: Organize a governance-focused hackathon for students to solve real-world governance challenges on the blockchain.
• Assessments: Track student progress through regular quizzes and projects.
• Expected Outcomes:
• Governance curriculum delivered to rural students and hackathon planned.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• 80% of students complete the course and hackathon preparations finalized.
• Estimated Budget: 30,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Hackathon Execution and Impact Assessment (Months 9-11)

• Activities:
• Governance Hackathon: Host the governance hackathon, with students creating governance solutions on Cardano.
• Feedback Gathering: Collect detailed feedback from participants and community stakeholders.
• Post-Hackathon Support: Offer mentorship to winning teams and track their project outcomes.
• Impact Evaluation: Evaluate the hackathon’s success and program impact.
• Expected Outcomes:
• Successful governance hackathon, with students producing governance solutions.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• 1,000 students participate in the hackathon, with high satisfaction rates.
• Estimated Budget: 20,000 ADA

Final Milestone: Program Conclusion and Future Planning (Month 12)

• Activities:
• Final Report: Compile a comprehensive report summarizing the governance education program and hackathon outcomes.
• Strategic Meeting: Present the report to stakeholders and discuss future governance education plans.
• Dissemination of Results: Share findings with educational authorities and communities.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Final report accepted and plans for future governance education initiatives established.
• Estimated Budget: 10,000 ADA

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

Team Members & Roles

Sunday Dominic – Project Manager https://12miles.com.ng/

• Role: As the founder of 12 Miles, i will oversee the entire project, ensuring all deliverables are met on time and within budget. Responsibilities include managing project timelines, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication.

Ese Williams – Marketing and Communications Specialist

• LinkedIn Profile: Ese Williams' LinkedIn URL
• Role: Ese will manage all marketing and communication efforts, including outreach, public relations, and digital presence. Her goal is to maximize visibility and engagement with the target rural communities.

Alabi Ayomide – Curriculum Developer https://12miles.com.ng/

• Role: Alabi will be responsible for designing the blockchain and Plutus curriculum, tailoring it to meet the needs of rural students while ensuring the material is engaging and comprehensive.

Matti Victoria – Community Engagement Lead https://12miles.com.ng/

• Role: Jane will manage all community outreach efforts, coordinating meetings and events with local schools and communities. She will also ensure effective communication with stakeholders throughout the project.

Planned Recruitment

To ensure smooth project execution, we plan to recruit additional team members with the following skills:

• 5 more Blockchain Developer: Someone proficient in Cardano blockchain development, particularly with expertise in Plutus, to assist with technical aspects of the curriculum and hackathon.
• Data Analyst: Responsible for tracking and analyzing project outcomes, helping to measure the success of the program and report back to stakeholders.

We have already engaged with the core team members from both 12 Miles and Remostart, confirming their availability and willingness to support the project. Our team is well-prepared to take on their respective roles and execute the project within the proposed timelines.

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

Total Budget: 75,000 ADA

1. Curriculum Development and Materials

• Governance and leadership training curriculum (Cardano-based governance): 10,000 ADA
• Educational handouts and digital resources: 2,000 ADA

2. Instructor and Trainer Fees

• Fees for trainers specializing in governance and leadership programs: 20,000 ADA

3. Hackathon

• Governance hackathon to encourage youth involvement in decision-making processes: 8,000 ADA

4. Student Equipment

• Devices and internet for students: 12,000 ADA

5. Marketing and Community Outreach

• Promotion through social media, newsletters, and community events: 4,000 ADA
• Travel and outreach logistics for rural areas: 4,000 ADA

6. Evaluation and Reporting

• Tools to measure program success and impact: 4,000 ADA
• Documentation and reporting: 3,000 ADA

7. Project Management

• Administrative and coordination costs: 3,000 ADA

Justification for Costs (Across All Proposals)

The cost structure represents significant value for the Cardano ecosystem, as it focuses on empowering 5,000 students per proposal with crucial blockchain and governance knowledge. The inclusion of hackathons promotes innovation, and the rural focus aligns with Cardano's goal of fostering inclusivity in emerging technologies. Additionally, with the scale of the proposed impact and the detailed reporting mechanisms, the projects provide measurable returns to the community and ecosystem.

Alternative Funding Sources

If the budget exceeds the requested ADA, we will seek additional support through local partnerships, NGO grants, and private sponsorships to supplement the costs.

This breakdown ensures that each proposal is well-resourced, providing clear visibility into how the budget will be allocated and spent effectively for maximum impact.

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

The proposed budget of 70,000 ADA for the Governance Training project represents excellent value for money due to the scale of the impact and the nature of the investment in building future leaders. Here's why:

1. Empowering 5,000 Students

For 75,000 ADA, the project aims to train 5,000 rural youths in governance, equipping them with leadership and decision-making skills using Cardano's decentralized governance models. This breaks down to just 15 ADA per student, which is highly cost-effective considering the high-quality curriculum, professional instruction, access to technology, and the opportunities provided through the hackathon and other community engagement activities.

2. Long-Term Impact on the Ecosystem

Investing in governance education has long-lasting effects, as students will not only gain immediate skills but also contribute to Cardano's decentralized governance in the future. These youths will become stakeholders in the ecosystem, promoting its growth and sustainability. The development of future leaders in rural areas strengthens Cardano’s position as an inclusive blockchain platform, potentially unlocking new communities of users.

3. Justified Costs for High-Impact Resources

The major cost components—such as instructor fees, curriculum development, and technology—are competitively priced and based on prevailing freelance rates in the education sector. By prioritizing qualified instructors and high-quality resources, the project ensures that students receive world-class education at a fraction of the typical cost in developed markets. The costs are proportional to the local wage rates in rural areas, providing an efficient yet impactful allocation of resources.

4. Use of Hackathon for Governance Innovation

The hackathon component is a cost-effective way to engage students in practical learning and innovation. The relatively small investment (8,000 ADA) will stimulate creative thinking and solution-building within the Cardano governance framework, fostering a culture of active participation and problem-solving in the ecosystem. The knowledge gained and shared through this event will contribute to future governance improvements on Cardano.

5. Community-Focused Value

By focusing on rural areas, this project introduces blockchain and decentralized governance to new, underserved populations, expanding Cardano’s user base. The community-oriented approach, along with transparent reporting and shared outputs, ensures that the broader ecosystem benefits from the project, increasing adoption and participation rates.

6. Leveraging Existing Partnerships

Through partnerships with Remostart and 12 Miles, the project leverages existing structures, reducing overhead costs and maximizing the budget’s efficiency. These organizations have a proven track record, already training over 2,000 students, with demonstrated success in national competitions. Their expertise allows the project to minimize risks and guarantee timely, accountable project delivery.