Rural Blockchain Revolution: 5,000 Students Learning on the Cardano Network

[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)

Teach rural students about decentralized governance and Cardano's Project Catalyst, enabling them to participate in blockchain governance and influence decisions for their communities.

[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

The project will be fully open sourced through out its life cycle

[METADATA] Horizons

Training

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Proposed Solution:

In many rural areas, blockchain technology remains a foreign concept, with no educational programs available to teach its fundamentals. Without knowledge of blockchain and decentralized systems, 5,000 rural students are at risk of being left out of the digital economy. This lack of exposure also limits the potential for rural communities to benefit from blockchain-based solutions to local challenges.

Our solution is to deliver a comprehensive blockchain education program, focused on the Cardano platform, to 5,000 students in rural areas over 12 months. This curriculum will cover blockchain fundamentals, decentralized systems, and how Cardano can be used to build solutions in areas such as supply chain management, local governance, and financial inclusion. The program will blend theoretical education with hands-on projects where students will develop their own blockchain-based applications tailored to their community's needs.

Engagement:

We will engage local schools, tech hubs, and rural organizations to recruit and train students. Our goal is to equip them with the foundational skills they need to innovate with blockchain technology and become contributors to the global decentralized economy.

Impact:

Success will be measured through the creation of blockchain applications by the students and their continued engagement with the Cardano community. By training 5,000 students, we aim to increase the number of blockchain developers in rural areas, fostering innovation and development within these communities.

Unique Aspects:

By bringing blockchain education specifically to rural students, this program fills an educational gap that has largely been ignored. The Cardano blockchain offers unique opportunities for building decentralized solutions, and by educating rural students, we introduce fresh talent and perspectives to the ecosystem. This will help Cardano grow in areas where blockchain solutions can make the most impact.

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

impact on the Cardano Community:

Training 5,000 rural students in blockchain technology will introduce a new wave of innovators into the Cardano ecosystem. These students will gain the skills to develop blockchain solutions that address local challenges, creating decentralized applications that could be scaled globally. By empowering rural students with foundational blockchain education, we will expand the reach of Cardano’s technology to new regions and communities.

Impact Measurement:

We will measure impact by:

• The number of blockchain applications developed by students on the Cardano platform.
• Student participation in Cardano’s developer and user communities post-training.
• The number of students who continue to develop their skills through Cardano-based projects, hackathons, and further education.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

We will share outputs by:

• Creating a public repository of student-developed blockchain applications.
• Hosting hackathons and pitch competitions where students can present their projects to the Cardano community.
• Publishing success stories and case studies on Cardano-focused media outlets to highlight the innovations created by rural students.

[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?

12 Miles has successfully trained over 20,000 students, demonstrating our ability to implement large-scale educational initiatives. Our accomplishments include mentoring students who excelled in national competitions, proving our effectiveness in cultivating talent. Partnering with RemoStars enhances our credibility, providing additional resources and community engagement strategies.

Validation of Feasibility:

To ensure feasibility:

1. Stakeholder Engagement: Involve local educators, industry professionals, and students in the curriculum design process to ensure it meets community needs.
2. Pilot Sessions: Conduct pilot sessions to test and refine the curriculum based on participant feedback.
3. Network Leverage: Utilize existing relationships with rural schools and community centers to maximize participation.

Trust and Accountability in Fund Management:

We will manage funds responsibly by:

• Developing a thorough financial management plan detailing budget allocations for training, materials, and community outreach.
• Scheduling regular audits and financial updates to keep stakeholders informed of fund usage and program progress.
• Implementing a community oversight board, including local leaders and educators, to provide additional accountability

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

Milestone 1: Curriculum Development and Initial Testing (Months 1-3)

• Activities:
• Needs Assessment: Conduct community surveys and focus groups to identify gaps in blockchain knowledge among rural students.
• Curriculum Design: Develop a blockchain education curriculum that includes foundational concepts, practical applications, and project work.
• Initial Testing: Implement the curriculum in selected rural areas to gauge effectiveness and gather early feedback.
• Resource Allocation: Prepare teaching materials, including workbooks, online resources, and interactive software.
• Expected Outcomes:
• A robust blockchain education curriculum ready for broader implementation.
• Initial feedback collected from test participants indicating areas for improvement.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Successful execution of at least two testing sessions with participation from 50 students.
• Documented feedback showing a minimum of 70% satisfaction with the curriculum.
• Estimated Budget: 20,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Full-Scale Implementation and Engagement (Months 4-8)

• Activities:
• Program Launch: Roll out the blockchain education program to 5,000 students across diverse rural communities.
• Hands-On Workshops: Organize workshops that allow students to work on real-world blockchain projects and showcase their learning.
• Hackathon Event: Host a hackathon at the end of Month 6 where students can present their projects and compete for prizes.
• Ongoing Assessment: Conduct assessments throughout the program to monitor student understanding and engagement.
• Expected Outcomes:
• Comprehensive training delivered to 5,000 students with significant engagement metrics.
• Active participation from community members in workshops and events.
• Successful hackathon with documented participation and projects submitted.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• At least 80% of students complete the training program with satisfactory performance in assessments.
• Positive community feedback regarding student involvement in workshops.
• Hackathon results documented, with prizes awarded to top projects.
• Estimated Budget: 30,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Program Assessment and Community Feedback (Months 9-11)

• Activities:
• Feedback Collection: Use structured surveys and interviews to gather insights from students, educators, and community leaders about the program's effectiveness.
• Impact Analysis: Analyze data to evaluate the overall impact of the blockchain education program on students and the community.
• Reporting: Compile a comprehensive evaluation report summarizing findings and recommendations for future programs.
• Expected Outcomes:
• Detailed impact report highlighting successes and areas for improvement.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Submission of the evaluation report to stakeholders for feedback and discussion.
• Agreement on strategies for program enhancement based on evaluation findings.
• Estimated Budget: 10,000 ADA

Final Milestone: Comprehensive Review and Future Planning (Month 12)

• Activities:
• Final Report Compilation: Create a thorough report detailing all program activities, outcomes, and lessons learned.
• Strategic Planning Session: Facilitate discussions with stakeholders to explore future opportunities and potential program expansions.
• Dissemination of Findings: Share the final report with local educational authorities and community partners to foster broader community engagement.
• Expected Outcomes:
• Acceptance of the final report by stakeholders with clear plans for future initiatives.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Consensus reached on future strategies and opportunities for ongoing collaboration.
• 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: 80,000 ADA

For this proposal, we plan to spend 15,000 ADA on organizing the hackathon, which includes venue costs, materials, and coordination expenses. Training workshops for participants will require around 20,000 ADA, while we budget 10,000 ADA for prizes for participants and winners to encourage innovation and creativity.

Marketing and promotional efforts will need 10,000 ADA for publicity materials and community engagement strategies. Technical infrastructure, including software and tools for the hackathon, will cost about 5,000 ADA. To gather feedback from the community, we plan to allocate 3,000 ADA for feedback sessions.

Comprehensive reporting and documentation tools will require about 5,000 ADA. Project management software will account for 4,000 ADA to facilitate smooth operation. Lastly, we include 4,000 ADA for miscellaneous expenses and a contingency fund of 4,000 ADA for unforeseen costs.

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

With a budget of 90,000 ADA, the Community Hackathon proposal is designed to catalyze innovation and creativity among 5,000 rural students. This investment is justified by the potential outcomes of fostering new ideas and solutions that can be integrated into the Cardano ecosystem. The costs reflect a commitment to organizing a high-quality event, with expenditures for venue rentals, prizes, and marketing that are in line with industry standards.

The budget for training workshops is also competitive, based on prevailing rates for educational events in the tech sector. By investing in a hackathon, we will create a platform for participants to showcase their talents, ultimately generating new projects that contribute to the Cardano ecosystem.

Additionally, the hackathon will increase community engagement and attract attention to Cardano's capabilities, further solidifying its position as a leader in blockchain innovation. The financial commitment to this initiative will result in significant long-term benefits for both the participants and the wider Cardano community.