Fairway: Empowering African Graduates in Higher Education with Cardano-based SSI and VCs to enable Job Opportunities in Europe

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Henrik Metsämäki

[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)

6

[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)

Issuing 500 new VCs to Ethiopian graduates in higher education and exploring their efficiency in facilitating employment opportunities across Europe through a pilot program.

[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

No code outputs

[METADATA] Horizons

Identity & Verification

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our project proposes to issue 500 verifiable credentials (VCs) on Cardano’s PRISM platform to Ethiopian university graduates. These credentials will:

1. Authenticate graduates’ qualifications, providing verifiable proof of education and skills.
2. Open job opportunities in Europe for African graduates by piloting these credentials in the remote recruitment process.
3. Strengthen Cardano adoption in Ethiopia’s education system by expanding the use of VCs across multiple universities.

This initiative will provide a real-world demonstration of how SSI technology can bridge the gap between education and global employment opportunities, thus accelerating the adoption of Cardano in key African markets.

Solution Approach

Our approach involves scaling the use of Cardano’s PRISM platform in Ethiopia’s higher education sector. We will achieve this through four key phases:

Phase 1: Establishing Partnerships with Ethiopian Universities

We will deepen our partnerships with existing Ethiopian universities and onboard two new institutions to begin issuing verifiable credentials. Each university will be trained to issue decentralized IDs using Cardano’s PRISM technology.

Phase 2: Issuance of Verifiable Credentials (VCs)

Once partnerships are established, we will issue 500 verifiable credentials to recent graduates, focusing on IT and technical fields. These VCs will be stored on the Cardano blockchain, ensuring security, scalability, and ease of verification.

Phase 3: Pilot Program for Recruitment in Europe

To maximize the value of these credentials, we will partner with European companies seeking qualified remote talent. Through this pilot program, graduates will apply for remote jobs in Europe using their verifiable credentials, proving the practical utility of the Cardano SSI ecosystem.

Phase 4: Impact Assessment & Reporting

Finally, we will conduct an in-depth assessment of the pilot program’s outcomes, measuring metrics such as graduate success rates, employer satisfaction, and the scalability of the model for other markets.

Project Scope & Deliverables

1. Issuance of 500 Verifiable Credentials (VCs). We will issue VCs for Ethiopian graduates, focusing on tech and IT sectors, making them eligible for remote job opportunities across Europe.
2. Integration with Ethiopian Universities. We will onboard two new universities and deepen partnerships with existing institutions, providing the necessary training and infrastructure for issuing verifiable credentials via Cardano’s PRISM platform.
3. Remote Job Pilot Program. We will facilitate a pilot program connecting graduates with remote job opportunities in Europe, collaborating with at least three European companies to assess the credentials' impact in real-world recruitment.
4. Open Source Reports and Case Studies. Our findings, processes, and results will be fully open-sourced, providing the Cardano community with valuable insights into scaling SSI adoption in other regions and industries.

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

This project will significantly increase the adoption of Cardano’s decentralized identity solution in a key African market. By issuing 500 verifiable credentials and facilitating remote job opportunities, the project demonstrates the tangible benefits of Cardano for education and employment. It provides a real-world use case for Cardano-based credentials, showcasing the ecosystem’s scalability, reliability, and security.

Success in this project can attract more partnerships with African universities, expand the pool of developers and talent within the Cardano ecosystem, and further cement Cardano’s reputation as a platform for social impact.

[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 proven track record of delivering successful projects, including a previous Catalyst project and similar projects on a smaller scale. We have the necessary expertise and experience to execute this initiative effectively. We will validate the feasibility of our approach through stakeholder discussions, partnership proposals, and continuous assessment of project milestones. This project has a scope of expanding and scaling the type operations we have already achieved before, namely expanding the partnerships from 50 graduates to 550.

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

Milestone 1: Partnership & Platform Integration (2 months)

Goal: Secure partnerships with additional universities and onboard them to credentialing platforms.

Deliverables:

• Signed MoUs with 2 new universities or expanded partnership with existing ones
• Designate point-of-contact at each institution.
• Train personnel on verifiable credentials issuance.
• Integrate PRISM/SSI with existing university systems.

Milestone 2: Credential Issuance & Graduate Preparation (2 months)

Goal: Issue 500 VCs and prepare graduates for the European job market.

Deliverables:

• Issuance of 500 VCs to graduates.
• Verify credentials on Cardano.
• Develop and deliver job preparation workshops.

Milestone 3: Pilot Recruitment Program Launch (1 month)

Goal: Secure partnerships with European companies and launch the recruitment pilot.

Deliverables:

• Signed partnerships with 3 European companies.
• Launch the pilot program using Cardano-based credentials.

Milestone Final: Program Analysis & Impact Assessment (1 month)

Goal: Assess the program’s effectiveness and gather insights.

Deliverables:

• Comprehensive report detailing results, success metrics, and recommendations.

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

Gemechis Marema - CCO at Fairway. Prospecting and facilitating partnership discussions. Creation of partnerships

Henrik Metsämäki - CEO at Fairway. Leadership and reporting of the project. Managing and facilitating partnerships, contractual agreements and monitoring project deliverables

Heikki Ruhanen - COO at Fairway. Operational support during the project. Customer prospecting and management of the Hiring Pilot in Finland Purchases and compliance.

Kidus Mammo - CTO at Fairway. Technical Help during the project. Technical duties concerning technical fixes and enhancements on the process.

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

Partnership & Platform Integration 2 Months 30,000

Credential Issuance & Graduate Prep 2 Months 42,000

Pilot Recruitment Program Launch 1 Month 24,000

Program Analysis & Impact Assessment 1 Month 24,000

Contingency - 6,000

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

1. Scaling Cardano’s Real-World Adoption. By successfully issuing 500 VCs and facilitating job opportunities, this project highlights a tangible and valuable use case for Cardano’s decentralized identity platform. It demonstrates how Cardano can solve real-world problems, such as facilitating cross-border employment, thus increasing its value proposition and utility.
2. Expanding the SSI Ecosystem in Africa. Africa is a key growth market for blockchain solutions, and this project positions Cardano as a leader in decentralized identity. It opens the door to future partnerships with universities, governments, and private sector organizations across Africa.
3. Driving Global Demand for Cardano SSI Solutions. By partnering with European employers, this pilot creates a pathway for global adoption of Cardano’s SSI solutions in recruitment and other industries. Success in this project could lead to further scaling in other African nations and beyond, positioning Cardano as a go-to platform for decentralized digital identity solutions.
4. Economic Empowerment & Social Impact. Beyond the technical benefits, this project has the potential to transform lives. By helping African graduates secure remote jobs in Europe, it directly contributes to economic empowerment, improves employment prospects, and showcases Cardano as a platform for social good.