West Africa Undergraduate & Early Developer Hackathon: Cultivating the Next Generation of Cardano Innovators

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

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

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

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We will organize a regional hackathon and training workshops to attract, engage, and mentor West African undergraduates and early developers, building a skilled talent pool to support Cardano’s growth

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

[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?

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

All resources produced as part of the project, including documentation, models and data, will be available in a dedicated open source repository, accessible to all.

[METADATA] Horizons

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution is to organize the West Africa Undergraduate & Early Developer Hackathon, a region-wide event aimed at solving the shortage of blockchain developers in the region by introducing Cardano to undergraduates and early developers through a structured, hands-on experience.

Problem Perception:

The scarcity of skilled developers in West Africa is hindering Cardano's regional growth. While there is high interest in blockchain, many students and early developers lack practical exposure to Cardano. By directly engaging with students and developers through a hackathon, we can bridge this gap and build a skilled talent pipeline.

Why This Approach?

Hackathons have proven effective in promoting real-world learning, creativity, and collaboration among developers. By hosting an immersive experience, paired with training workshops, mentorship, and community-building efforts, participants will not only learn but also actively contribute to Cardano through the development of innovative projects. This approach is designed to foster long-term engagement and skill development, ensuring that participants remain part of the ecosystem even after the event.

This project will target:

1. Undergraduate students from universities in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Ivory Coast.
2. Early-stage developers who are new to blockchain development.
3. Cardano community members who will serve as mentors and trainers.

Participants will benefit from:

• Direct mentorship from experienced Cardano developers.
• Training on Plutus, smart contracts, and other Cardano technologies.
• A competitive environment that encourages innovation.

Unique Aspects:

1. Regional Focus: This will be one of the first large-scale hackathon in West Africa dedicated to Cardano, creating a unique opportunity to onboard local talent.
2. Hands-On Learning: Unlike traditional hackathons, this event will provide pre-hackathon training to equip participants with the necessary skills.
3. Sustainable Community Building: Long after the hackathon ends, established student clubs in the universities will ensure that engagement continues leading to more developers joining Cardano.

This project will expand the Cardano ecosystem in a high-growth region, fostering new developers who will contribute to the long-term success of the platform. By creating a sustainable, region-specific solution, Cardano will not only gain a new pool of skilled developers but also increase its visibility and adoption in West Africa.

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

The West Africa Undergraduate & Early Developer Hackathon will greatly impact the Cardano community by creating a new generation of skilled developers and community advocates. It will also enhance Cardano’s presence in a high-potential region, encouraging wider adoption and development.

Value to the Cardano Community

1. By onboarding at least 500 students and early developers, we’ll add fresh talent to the Cardano ecosystem, increasing Cardano's developer base and contributing to the development of new projects, tools, and solutions.
2. This initiative will strengthen Cardano’s presence in West Africa, building a community of developers and enthusiasts who can drive adoption and support blockchain education across the region.
3. The hackathon will produce at least 15 new projects, creating potential for innovative applications and partnerships that address local and global challenges using Cardano’s technology.
4. Establishing university clubs and a mentorship framework will ensure continuous learning and engagement, cultivating future developers and leaders for Cardano.

Measuring Impact

1. The first impact will be the number of new Cardano wallets. We will track the number of new wallets created during the hackathon, with a target of 100+ active Cardano wallets within the first 6 months.
2. The second impact we will achieve with this is participant retention and engagement. This will be identified by the number of students who continue to engage with Cardano through student clubs, mentorship, and future hackathons.
3. We will also evaluate the number and quality of projects completed during the hackathon, with a focus on functionality, innovation, and alignment with Cardano’s ecosystem goals.
4. Finally, this will achieve community growth as we will track the number of student clubs established and the active members engaged in each chapter.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities

• We will publish monthly reports detailing progress, achievements, and challenges. These reports will be shared with the Catalyst community through public channels.
• We will document all projects developed during the hackathon and share them on GitHub, making them accessible to the wider Cardano community.
• Outputs, success stories, and learning materials will be shared via social media, university communities, and Cardano forums to inspire further engagement.
• Videos of key sessions, hackathon highlights, and project presentations will be uploaded to YouTube to create a lasting resource for future students and developers.

[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 executing complex, community-driven projects with transparency, trust, and impact. Having been funded in SingularityNET's Deep Funding Round 4, we successfully built the SingularityNET Africa Community, onboarded multiple products to the SingularityNET AI marketplace, and fostered the growth of AI and blockchain across the continent. We work together to deliver impactful initiatives that promote AI and blockchain education and adoption across.

Here are our capabilities:

1. Our team is composed of professionals with expertise in research, software development, and community engagement. We’ve demonstrated our ability to deliver by not only onboarding over three products onto the SingularityNET AI marketplace but also by actively fostering the development of AI student clubs across Africa, including in Nigeria, Ghana, and Rwanda. Our technical knowledge paired with community-building skills makes us well-equipped to lead this project.
2. We’ve hosted numerous high-impact events, such as meet-and-greets, virtual roundtables, and hackathons, which have helped increase awareness and adoption of blockchain and AI technologies. Our success in organizing these initiatives ensures that we are well-prepared to execute the West Africa Undergraduate & Early Developer Hackathon with a high level of professionalism and effectiveness.
3. We’ve developed sustainable strategies like the establishment of the student clubs and mentorship programs which have become a hub for engaging and nurturing future developers. This long-term approach shows how committed we are to building a legacy that contributes to Cardano and the larger blockchain ecosystem in the region.

To manage funds responsibly and maintain transparency, we follow these steps:

1. We budget and report in details to ensure that funds are allocated appropriately to cover essential areas such as training materials, mentor fees, logistics, and event coordination. This budget is reviewed and approved internally before implementation.
2. The Milestone-Based Fund Disbursement is our preferred mode of disbursing resources to ensure that funds are only disbursed as we achieve key project goals. This helps track progress while safeguarding against fund mismanagement. For instance, initial funds may be used for pre-event training, with subsequent releases tied to event execution and post-event reporting.
3. We use public channels to share regular updates on how funds are being utilized. Our project reports are shared monthly, detailing the allocation of resources and project progress. Additionally, we will ensure all transactions are recorded, and where applicable, provide receipts and documentation to validate fund usage.
4. We work with independent auditors or trusted community members to evaluate the use of funds after the project. This step guarantees an extra layer of accountability, ensuring all stakeholders are confident in our management of the project budget.

We have designed a structured, step-by-step approach to ensure the feasibility of our hackathon project:

1. Pre-Hackathon Training. This involves providing preparatory workshops and materials to ensure that participants are equipped with the foundational skills needed to engage with Cardano development. By preparing the participants ahead of time, we maximize the value and output during the event.
2. We will collaborate with experienced Cardano developers and community leaders, who will serve as mentors throughout the hackathon. Having a reliable pool of mentors ensures that participants receive the guidance they need to build impactful projects.
3. Our previous events and engagements have allowed us to establish a robust network of universities and developer communities across West Africa, ensuring we have the necessary resources and infrastructure to execute the project successfully.
4. We will measure the success of the hackathon through tangible outputs, such as the number of projects completed, the number of new wallets opened, and the establishment of student clubs. Post-event, we will maintain communication with participants, offering them continued support through mentorship and Cardano community involvement.

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

Preparatory Phase & Partnerships (Month 1)

Milestone Outputs:

• Formalized partnerships with at least 5 universities and developer communities.
• Recruitment of mentors, technical experts, and community leaders.
• Confirmed logistical details such as venue selection, hackathon agenda, and event promotion.
• Creation and distribution of pre-event learning resources and hackathon materials.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with universities and developer communities.
• Onboarding of 10+ experienced mentors and speakers committed to the event.
• Completion of pre-hackathon logistics, including confirmation of venue and travel arrangements for key personnel.
• Registration of at least 200 participants with verified attendance for onboarding sessions.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• MOUs and partnership agreements shared as PDFs.
• List of confirmed mentors and speakers, along with bios and contact details.
• Photos or videos of venue inspection, participant registration forms, and logistical arrangements.
• Copies of distributed materials, workshop resources, and preparatory content.

Pre-Hackathon Workshops & Training (Month 2)

Milestone Outputs:

• 6 workshops delivered, focusing on Cardano fundamentals, Plutus, Catalyst proposals, and blockchain use cases.
• Comprehensive training modules and resources for participants.
• Interactive Q&A and hands-on lab sessions to prepare participants for the main hackathon.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Minimum of 30+ attendees per workshop with recorded sessions and feedback surveys.
• Distribution of training resources and coding examples to all participants.
• 70% positive feedback from participants on knowledge gained and session quality.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Video recordings of workshops and participant attendance sheets.
• Shared links to training resources, presentation decks, and coding examples.
• Survey results showing participant satisfaction and areas for improvement.
• A summary report detailing each workshop's content, attendance, and outcomes.

West Africa Hackathon Event (Month 3-4)

Milestone Outputs:

• A 2 days in-person and virtual hackathon event bringing together students and early developers.
• Successful submission of 15+ Cardano-based projects.
• Documentation of hackathon outputs, prize distribution, and hackathon wrap-up.

Acceptance Criteria:

• 200+ participants attending the hackathon, with verifiable project submissions.
• Submission of a minimum of 15 functional projects, each addressing a real-world use case.
• Awarding of prizes to the top 3 projects, based on innovation, technical implementation, and impact.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• List of hackathon participants and teams, with project descriptions and GitHub repositories.
• Photos and videos of hackathon sessions, team activities, and final presentations.
• Prize distribution receipts and acknowledgment from winning teams.
• Hackathon report highlighting the key achievements and lessons learned.

Establishment of Student Clubs & Follow-up Mentorship (Month 5)

Milestone Outputs:

• Launch of 5+ Cardano student clubs across participating universities.
• Bi-weekly mentorship program established for continued learning and project development.
• Implementation of 2-3 mini-projects by student clubs to reinforce learning and build real-world experience.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Confirmation of 5+ student clubs formed with at least 75 active members (15 per club) across West Africa.
• Bi-weekly mentorship sessions conducted, with 70% attendance from club members.
• Successful execution of 2-3 club-led projects, documented and shared with the community.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Student club establishment documents, including constitution, membership list, and executive leadership.
• Mentorship session recordings and feedback forms.
• Project documentation, including GitHub repositories, meeting notes, and final presentations.

Final Project Close-out Report and Video (Month 6)

Milestone Outputs:

• Comprehensive final report covering project outcomes, milestones achieved, and community impact.
• A 5-10 minute video summarizing the project, its milestones, and the impact on participants.
• Strategic recommendations for scaling the initiative and incorporating feedback for future iterations.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Completion of a detailed project report with clear impact metrics (number of participants, projects developed, partnerships formed).
• Video capturing participant testimonials, hackathon highlights, and overall project success.
• Presentation of the report and video to the Cardano community, with positive feedback from at least 3 stakeholders.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Published project close-out report and video shared on the project’s GitHub and social media platforms.
• Links to report and video shared with Cardano community platforms and forums.
• Feedback collected from community members and stakeholders on the effectiveness and impact of the project.

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

• Duke Peter

Duke is the founder of Zebra AI. With robust experience in community engagement and communications, Duke leverages his vast network to drive initiatives that are beneficial to future-thinking individuals. Duke is the African Community lead of SingularityNET. A role he has utilized to pioneer the regional expansion of SingualarityNET into Africa through conferences, meet and greets, roundtables, townhalls, research, partnerships and integration, and most recently, the development of ethical and Afrocentric AI tools. In the recently concluded funding round, Duke was awarded $20,000 as a launchpad for the expansion of SNET's initiative on the continent. He is also the convener of “Transitions”, an annual hybrid conference that enables entrepreneurs, business owners and career professionals to transition into tech by focusing on grey areas, emerging trends, products and technologies bound to change the way we live, work and do business in the future. These events have reached audiences up to 15,000 persons since inception in 2023.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dukepeter/

• Remostart (Tech Startup):

Remostart will serve as the technical partner for this project, bringing a global network of thousands of skilled professionals, including hundreds already integrated into the Cardano ecosystem across Africa. The team at Remostart comprises experts in artificial intelligence IOT and blockchain technology, with over a decade of experience in developing solutions and training the next generation of developers.

http://www.remostarts.com

• Clement Umoh (Researcher, Data Privacy and Ethics Specialist): 

Clement is a software penetration tester with background in cyber security. He has relevant experiences in handling data privacy and ethics ensuring responsible use of data. With increasing concerns about data privacy and ethical biases, Clement works to ensure our project adheres to the strictest ethical guidelines and regulatory standards.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clement-umoh-500133241

• Rejoice Olie (M&E/Data analyst)

Rejoice is a data analyst par excellence with nearly half a decade of experience. As someone deeply passionate about the transformative power of knowledge, her journey spans content creation, data analysis, and digital archiving, each role feeding her drive to make information accessible and impactful. She has worked as a Data Archiving Consultant at SCIDAR, where she spearheaded initiatives to optimize data storage and retrieval systems, ensuring the sustainability of critical digital collections. In addition to this, she has led data analysis for an Inclusivity research project within SingularityNET, identifying key trends and shaping policies that promote inclusivity. She has worked as a Content Review Analyst with Nigeria's leading Ed-tech firm, uLesson, she has analyzed hundreds of sessions, identifying trends and generating reports that empowered senior stakeholders to make data-driven decisions, ultimately enhancing both the app's functionality and user experience.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rejoice-olie/

• Ese Williams (Community Manager)

Ese is a community manager and social media manager with over 2 years of experience in the blockchain space. She has been able to provide community growth, investor onboarding, organic interactions, and professional customer services for various organizations and DAOs. Through her expertise in community management, there has been an increase in project adoption using promotional materials, social media and community growth by 30% as well as project adoption and increased project knowledge by 50% among community members.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ese-williams-758ba8198/

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

Budget & Cost Breakdown for this project

Total Funding Requested: 90,000 ADA (equivalent to $31,000)

1. Project Management & Coordination - 22,000 ADA

• Project Manager (6 months) - 12,000 ADA (2000 ADA per month x 6months)

Responsible for overseeing project progress, coordinating teams, managing timelines, and ensuring that all milestones are met.

• Community Engagement Specialist - 6,000 ADA (1,000 ADA per month x 6months)

In charge of participant recruitment, communication with universities, developers, and outreach initiatives for the hackathon.

• Logistics Coordinator - 4,000 ADA (1,000 ADA per month x 4 months)

Handling travel arrangements, venue bookings, equipment rentals, and logistical requirements for the hackathon and workshops.

2. Training & Workshops (Pre-Hackathon) - 11,500 ADA

• Technical Mentors (6 Workshops) - 6,000 ADA i.e (1,000 ADA per workshop x 6)

Mentors delivering workshops on Plutus, Cardano, Catalyst proposals, and blockchain development.

• Workshop Materials (Handouts, Software, etc.) - 2,000 ADA

Cost of preparing educational content, coding resources, and other materials distributed during workshops.

• Marketing & Promotion - 3,500 ADA

Advertising the hackathon through digital platforms, community forums, social media, and university networks to increase participation.

3. Hackathon Event (In-Person & Virtual) - 39,000 ADA

• Venue Hire (3 Locations) - 4,500 ADA (2,000 ADA per venue x 3)

Cost for hosting in-person hackathon events across 3 selected West African universities.

• Virtual Platform Setup - 2,000 ADA

Subscription fees for hosting virtual sessions for remote participants.

• Catering & Refreshments - 3,000 ADA

For participants attending in-person events across 3 locations.

• Equipment Rentals (Laptops, Projectors, Microphones) - 4,500 ADA

Rental of laptops, projectors, microphones, and other technical equipment required for a smooth hackathon experience.

• Hackathon Prizes & Awards - 18,000 ADA

Incentives to reward top teams based on their project performance and innovation.

The breakdown is as follows

• 10,000 ADA for the winning team
• 5,000 ADA for second place
• 3,000 ADA for third place

Traveling and logistics - 7,000 ADA

This includes flights and accommodation for organizing team

4. Student Clubs Establishment & Post-Hackathon Mentorship - 6,500 ADA

• Club Formation Costs (5 Universities) - 3,500 ADA (700 ADA per club x 5)

Costs related to setting up student clubs, including registration, meeting spaces, and promotional materials.

• Post-Hackathon Mentorship Program - 3,000 ADA

Continued mentorship and guidance for students as they work on mini-projects and explore opportunities within the Cardano ecosystem.

5. Reporting & Documentation - 6,000 ADA

• Project Documentation & Reporting - 3,000 ADA

Preparation of the project report and detailed documentation on the event’s successes and challenges.

• Video Production (Project Close-out) - 3,000 ADA

Creating a final video that highlights the hackathon, participant experiences, and future goals.

6. Contingency & Miscellaneous - 5,000 ADA

Allocated for any unexpected costs that may arise during the hackathon, such as equipment repairs or additional venue needs.

Grand Total: 90,000 ADA

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

The proposed West Africa Undergraduate & Early Developer Hackathon budget of 90,000 ADA represents a solid investment for the Cardano ecosystem, as it strategically focuses on onboarding new developers, expanding Cardano’s presence in West Africa, and creating a sustainable pipeline of talent and innovation. Here’s why the project is a cost-effective and impactful initiative:

1. Strategic Investment in Education & Ecosystem Growth

• By engaging university students and early developers through structured training and hackathon competitions, we are laying the groundwork for a new generation of Cardano developers and contributors. These students will build real-world skills in Cardano development, thereby increasing the developer pool.
• Establishing student clubs across the region will serve as hubs for continuous Cardano activities. This will result in ongoing recruitment and training of students beyond the duration of this project, making it a sustainable initiative.
• Our goal of onboarding at least 500 students and developers within 6 months (each with active Cardano wallets) reflects a strong return on investment by significantly growing the community and ADA holders.

2. Breakdown & Justification of Costs

The proposed costs are benchmarked against the typical expenses associated with large-scale events, training programs, and university-level club establishments in West Africa. Here’s how we’ve ensured a balanced allocation:

• Project Management & Coordination (22,000 ADA):

Given the complexity of the project, involving multiple teams across different countries, having dedicated personnel to manage logistics, community engagement, and mentorship is crucial. The cost covers 6 months of full-time management by a project lead and support staff, reflecting standard monthly rates for such roles.

• Training & Workshop (11,500 ADA):

We have allocated funds for expert mentors to deliver high-quality, specialized training on Cardano development, along with the necessary educational materials. This amount ensures we are engaging top talent for mentorship and educational content creation.

• Hackathon & Event Expenses (39,000 ADA):

The hackathon events include costs for venue rentals, catering, and equipment, all of which are necessary for providing a conducive environment for participants. This cost is broken down across multiple locations, making it reasonable when compared to the average expenses for similar events.

• Student Clubs & Mentorship Program (6,500 ADA):

Establishing clubs and providing ongoing mentorship guarantees that the knowledge and excitement generated during the hackathon are sustained. The costs here are spread across five universities, making the per-campus investment relatively modest.

• Reporting & Documentation (6,000 ADA):

Creating detailed reports and videos documenting the project’s success is essential for transparency and to share learnings with the broader community. This will help future proposals by setting a benchmark for what can be achieved.

3. Efficiency & Resource Allocation

We have deliberately kept marketing and promotion costs lower (3,500 ADA), leveraging existing university networks and community channels to publicize the events. Similarly, the contingency fund (5,000 ADA) is a safety net to address any unexpected costs, ensuring smooth project execution without compromising quality.

Equipment Rental Costs: We have specifically included a budget for renting laptops, projectors, and other technical tools, which optimizes costs as opposed to purchasing equipment outright. This ensures we have the necessary resources without overspending.

4. Competitive Rates & Local Context

The proposed costs align with average rates for professional services and event management in West Africa. For example, project management and logistics roles typically cost between 1,500–2,500 ADA per month, depending on experience and location. Our allocations are on par with these standards, ensuring fair compensation without overspending.

Additionally, the estimated venue and equipment rental costs have been validated through research on similar events hosted in the region, ensuring we are paying reasonable market rates. By operating within these local cost frameworks, we maximize impact while maintaining financial prudence.

5. High Potential for Ecosystem Value

This project represents value for money because it is a high-leverage initiative with the potential to establish foundational structures (student clubs, developer communities, etc.) that will benefit the Cardano ecosystem for years. With an initial investment of 90,000 ADA, the project will create touchpoints for thousands of students, fostering a culture of blockchain innovation and adoption.