Empowering Women in Blockchain: Cardano Development Hub for Female Entrepreneurs in Ethiopia

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Yafet Tibebu

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

Entity (Not 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)

A hub for women-led blockchain education, DApp development, and startup support, creating inclusivity and innovation in the Cardano ecosystem.

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

Yes

[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.”

 The project's success depends on partnerships with local organizations and businesses for community outreach and event hosting. Collaboration with Cardano experts is crucial to deliver high-quality educational content and technical support. Additionally, access to reliable internet and technology infrastructure is essential for delivering virtual courses and ensuring communication with remote participants.

[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 educational content, code repositories for DApps, and entrepreneurial resources, will be licensed under MIT. The open-source nature promotes transparency and encourages broader collaboration and community contributions.

[METADATA] Horizons

Community

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The project will establish a Cardano Development Hub in Ethiopia exclusively for women. The hub will provide blockchain education programs covering various topics from Cardano fundamentals to advanced DApp development. These programs will be delivered through in-person classes and virtual modules to maximize reach. Additionally, a startup incubation platform will support women entrepreneurs with mentorship, funding, and technical assistance, leading to the development and deployment of at least 5 women-led DApps. The initiative aims to create a diverse, skilled, and sustainable community of women developers and entrepreneurs within the Cardano ecosystem.

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

Empowerment: Train 300+ women in blockchain technology and entrepreneurship, creating a pipeline of female developers and business leaders within the Cardano community.

DApp Development: Support the launch of at least 5 women-led DApps focused on areas like healthcare, finance, and social welfare, directly impacting local communities.

Community Engagement: Host a series of workshops and hackathons to build a strong network of women actively contributing to the 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?

The project team includes experienced blockchain developers, educators, and community organizers with a history of successful initiatives in Ethiopia. The lead mentor has expertise in Cardano technology, ensuring that courses and incubation support align with Cardano’s ecosystem requirements. The feasibility of the project is further strengthened by secured partnerships with local organizations, providing physical space and outreach support. The budget plan ensures that all resources are appropriately allocated, and a risk management strategy is in place to mitigate potential obstacles such as infrastructure issues.

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

 Hub Setup and Team Recruitment (Months 1-3)

• Objective: Establish the hub and recruit staff and mentors.
• Output: An operational hub with 10 staff members.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Hub space is equipped with internet access, computers, and learning resources.
• Employment contracts with staff and mentors are signed.
• Two partnership agreements with local organizations for outreach and logistical support.
• Evidence:
• Photos and videos of the hub’s facilities and equipment.
• Copies of signed employment contracts and partnership MOUs.
• A setup report detailing infrastructure and operational readiness.

Launch of Blockchain Education Programs (Months 4-6)

• Objective: Develop and implement courses for women.
• Output: Educational programs with at least 200 women enrolled.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Curriculum and materials are uploaded online and distributed.
• Records showing enrollment of a minimum of 200 participants.
• Feedback surveys conducted with at least 75% positive responses.
• Evidence:
• Enrollment forms and attendance logs.
• Digital and printed copies of course materials and curriculum.
• Survey results report, summarizing participants' feedback and learning outcomes.

 Women-led DApp Incubation Program (Months 7-9)

• Objective: Support women-led projects through incubation.
• Output: Five women-led projects selected and supported to develop MVPs.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Incubation contracts signed with selected teams.
• Documentation of workshops, training sessions, and mentorship activities.
• At least three projects successfully creating MVPs.
• Evidence:
• Signed agreements with selected project teams.
• Photos, videos, and attendance logs from workshops and mentorship sessions.
• MVP development reports from each team, showcasing progress and challenges faced.

Community Events and Networking (Months 10-11)

• Objective: Host events and foster partnerships.
• Output: Two hackathons and three networking events, with three new partnerships formed.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Hackathon and networking event reports detailing attendee numbers and activities.
• Partnership agreements signed with local businesses and organizations.
• Participant surveys showing at least 80% satisfaction.
• Evidence:
• Event photos, videos, and participant lists.
• Copies of signed partnership agreements.
• Survey summary report indicating satisfaction and participant engagement levels.

Deployment of DApps and Ecosystem Integration (Month 12)

• Objective: Deploy and integrate women-led DApps.
• Output: Three functional DApps launched on Cardano.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Blockchain records showing DApp deployments and transactions.
• Reports confirming DApp usage by local communities or businesses.
• Impact assessment indicating the reach and effectiveness of the deployed solutions.
• Evidence:
• Deployment logs and blockchain transaction IDs.
• User feedback reports showing adoption rates and satisfaction.
• A comprehensive impact report detailing usage statistics and testimonials from beneficiaries.

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

Project Team:

• Lead Mentor: Yafet tibebu(Telegram:https://t.me/hate41), Blockchain Developer with experience in Cardano.
• Educational Coordinator: nathan mesayneh(Telegram:https://t.me/nate_ol), expert in women’s education programs.
• Technical Advisors: A team of 3 Cardano developers and business strategists.

Local Partnerships: Collaboration with local women’s organizations, universities, and tech hubs.

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

Hub Setup and Operational Costs: 15,000 ADA

Educational Programs: 20,000 ADA (materials, instructor salaries, platform fees)

Incubation Support: 25,000 ADA (funding projects, resources, development support)

Community Events: 10,000 ADA (hackathons, demo days, networking events)

Miscellaneous: 5,000 ADA (marketing, outreach, administrative expenses)

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

The proposal delivers substantial value for money by addressing gender disparity in tech and supporting women’s education and entrepreneurship. By training 300+ women and deploying impactful DApps, the project drives economic and technological growth within Ethiopia and contributes to the global Cardano ecosystem. Each ADA invested fosters sustainable development and inclusive growth.