Safe land Cafe Ethiopia - Empowering Communities through Blockchain Education

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Aklesiya Hailemelekot

[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)

Cardano Café blends Ethiopia’s coffee culture with blockchain education, offering workshops and discussions to connect everyday Ethiopians with the potential of Cardano technology.

[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.”

This project will work in collaboration with local blockchain educators, Cardano developers, and community organizations. We also plan to partner with international blockchain advocacy groups to bring in guest speakers and workshops.

[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 educational materials, presentations, and workshop guides developed will be open-source to ensure that the broader community can benefit from the content created in the café.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Cardano Café will serve as an educational hub, café, and community space, offering diverse learning opportunities. We will host weekly structured workshops introducing blockchain technology, Cardano, and their applications in finance, business, and social sectors. Additionally, monthly meetups and speaker events will engage entrepreneurs, developers, and local leaders on how Cardano technology can be integrated into businesses and communities. To enhance accessibility, we will provide digital learning platforms through interactive tablets and stations, allowing patrons to explore online resources about blockchain and Cardano. Furthermore, we will support local developers and entrepreneurs by facilitating small-scale pilot projects using Cardano, such as local savings groups, community voting mechanisms, or agricultural supply chain solutions.

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

By integrating Cardano education into a café environment, Cardano Café will make blockchain approachable for the average Ethiopian. This initiative targets a wide audience students, entrepreneurs, and local coffee drinkers fostering curiosity and technical skills. We expect to see increased blockchain literacy, with hundreds of individuals gaining practical knowledge about blockchain and Cardano applications by the end of the project. Local entrepreneurs will learn how Cardano can improve efficiency and transparency in industries like agriculture, finance, and retail.

In growing the Cardano ecosystem in Ethiopia, the café aims to educate over 500 individuals within the first year, increasing the number of Cardano users and developers. We also aim to encourage innovation by inspiring local blockchain projects, such as decentralized applications (dApps), voting systems, and digital identity solutions through community engagement.

Ethiopia is on the verge of a digital transformation, and Cardano Café aligns with the government’s strategy to enhance digital literacy and drive economic growth. By introducing blockchain now, we aim to equip Ethiopia with homegrown solutions for local challenges such as financial inclusion, agricultural tracking, and digital identity development, supporting the country’s digital future.

[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?

By leveraging the existing infrastructure of the café, the project avoids the financial strain of renting new spaces or starting from scratch, allowing us to focus on educational programs and community outreach. The café’s established customer base provides a solid foundation for immediate engagement with blockchain education, reducing operational risks. With our experience in café operations and community engagement, we can seamlessly integrate blockchain-focused events, while collaborating with local and international blockchain educators, developers, and Cardano enthusiasts to ensure high-quality, well-organized workshops. Ethiopia’s vibrant coffee culture makes the café an ideal environment for fostering community learning, and through targeted marketing and social media campaigns, we aim to attract a wide demographic, including tech-savvy youth, entrepreneurs, and everyday coffee lovers. Once the model is successfully implemented, it can be scaled to other cities and communities in Ethiopia, with open-source resources and partnerships enabling the replication of this concept, leading to the creation of more Cardano cafes or educational hubs across the region.

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

Setup and Launch (1-2 months)

• Install digital learning stations and finalize modifications for educational space.
• Host the first introductory blockchain and Cardano workshop.
• Begin marketing campaign to raise awareness of the educational offerings.

Regular Cardano Workshops (3-4months)

• Host weekly workshops and expand the curriculum to cover more advanced topics.
• Start promoting small-scale community projects using Cardano (e.g., decentralized savings).

Community Engagement and Speaker Events (5-6 months)

• Organize monthly speaker events, featuring both local and international blockchain experts.
• Encourage the community to use Cardano for practical projects, fostering engagement with blockchain technology.

Partnerships and Pilot Projects (7-9 months)

• Collaborate with local businesses interested in blockchain technology.
• Launch pilot projects, such as blockchain-based traceability for local coffee producers or decentralized financial services.

Scaling and Evaluation (10-12 months)

• Assess the impact of the program through participant feedback and measurable outcomes.
• Develop a strategy for scaling the initiative to other communities in Ethiopia.
• Prepare resources and partnerships for the potential replication of the model across new locations.

Sustainability and Program Refinement (12th month)

• Solidify partnerships with blockchain organizations and local businesses to ensure ongoing support and growth.
• Refine the educational curriculum based on feedback and the latest developments in blockchain technology.
• Establish a long-term operational plan for maintaining the program, ensuring the café continues to serve as a sustainable hub for blockchain education and community engagement.
• Explore avenues for funding or sponsorship to support future expansion and scaling efforts, both locally and potentially internationally.

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

Almaz mamo- manager

Hailemelkot mulugeta - marketing manager

Getahun Eshete - Human resource management

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

1. Setup Costs (1-2 months)

1.1 Digital Learning Stations:

• Computers/Tablets (4-6 units): $2,000 - $4,000
• Internet Setup (high-speed connection, routers, etc.): $500
• Software Licenses (educational platforms, blockchain tools): $300 - $500

1.2 Space Modification:

• Furniture (tables, chairs, etc.): $1,000 - $2,000
• Audio-Visual Equipment (projector, screen, microphones): $800 - $1,500
• Signage and Branding (banners, posters): $300 - $600
• Miscellaneous (electrical work, interior décor): $500 - $1,000

1.3 Initial Marketing Campaign:

• Social Media Ads (Facebook, Instagram, etc.): $200 - $500
• Print Media (flyers, posters): $100 - $200
• Launch Event (food, drinks, giveaways): $500 - $1,000

Total Setup Costs: $5,700 - $11,800

2. Operational Costs (Monthly for 12 months)

2.1 Staff and Facilitators:

• Workshop Facilitator Fees (for blockchain experts): $300 - $500 per workshop (4 per month)
• Administrative Staff (for organizing events): $500 - $700 per month

2.2 Workshop Materials:

• Printed Materials (handouts, guides): $50 - $100 per month
• Educational Software (blockchain simulators, apps): $100 per month

2.3 Marketing and Outreach:

• Monthly Social Media Ads: $100 - $200
• Community Engagement (events, influencer partnerships): $200 - $400

Total Monthly Operational Costs: $1,550 - $2,600

Annual Operational Costs (12 months): $18,600 - $31,200

3. Special Events Costs (6-9 months)

3.1 Monthly Speaker Events:

• Speaker Fees (local and international experts): $500 - $1,000 per event
• Event Catering (coffee, snacks): $200 - $400 per event
• Promotion and Marketing: $100 - $200 per event

3.2 Community Pilot Projects (7-9 months):

• Blockchain Project Seed Funds (for community initiatives): $1,000 - $2,000
• Technical Support for Projects: $500

Total Special Events and Projects Costs: $4,800 - $9,000

4. Scaling and Evaluation (10-12 months)

4.1 Evaluation Costs:

• Survey Tools and Data Collection: $200
• Consultant Fees for Program Evaluation: $500 - $1,000

4.2 Scaling Preparations:

• Development of Open-Source Educational Resources: $500 - $1,000
• Travel for Partnerships and Expansion Talks: $500 - $1,500

Total Scaling and Evaluation Costs: $1,700 - $3,700

Grand Total Costs (12 months):

Low Estimate: $30,800

High Estimate: $55,700

This breakdown provides an estimated cost range for implementing and running the blockchain educational initiative at your café over the course of a year, including setup, monthly operations, special events, and scaling.

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

The proposed blockchain education initiative at the café offers excellent value for money by leveraging existing infrastructure and delivering long-term benefits to both the business and the community. By transforming the café into an educational hub, the project avoids significant setup costs while creating a space for high-quality workshops on emerging technologies like blockchain and Cardano. The modest investment in digital learning stations and facilitators ensures accessible, ongoing learning opportunities that attract a new demographic, including tech-savvy youth and entrepreneurs, which in turn boosts foot traffic and revenue for the café. Additionally, the initiative fosters partnerships with local businesses through practical blockchain applications like coffee traceability, strengthening community ties and demonstrating real-world use cases. The model is also scalable, allowing the educational program to be replicated in other cities at minimal cost, making it a sustainable investment. Regular evaluation and feedback ensure efficient use of resources, while the initial investment sets the stage for long-term growth, including potential franchising of Cardano cafés or expanding to new educational hubs. With an investment range of $30,800 to $55,700, the café can create a lasting impact, positioning itself as a community leader in both blockchain education and innovation.

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