Cultural VR on Cardano: Promoting Heritage through Blockchain and Virtual Reality

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Djibril Konate

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

Individual

[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)

We will create a VR platform powered by Cardano enabling users to explore cultural landmark while supporting local artists through NFT souvenirs and promoting global cultural tourism

[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 has dependencies on VR content creators for immersive experiences, blockchain developers for Cardano integration, and local cultural experts for accurate representation of heritage sites. Additionally, we will rely on third-party platforms like NFT marketplaces and require compliance with local tourism authorities for site access and permissions. These partnerships and resources are crucial for ensuring the technical, cultural, and legal aspects of the project are successfully implemented.

[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-source, with the codebase available on a public GitHub repository throughout its lifecycle. We will use the MIT License, ensuring the community can freely access, modify, and contribute to the code.

Elements that will be open source include:

• The smart contracts for NFT minting and transactions on the Cardano blockchain.
• The VR platform backend that interacts with the blockchain.
• Integration tools for Cardano’s APIs and DeFi features.

The only part that may not be fully open-source is the VR content, which will be licensed separately due to collaboration with local artists and cultural content creators. However, the infrastructure and tools for VR interactions will remain open-source.

[METADATA] Horizons

Tourism

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

We propose developing a Virtual Reality (VR) platform powered by Cardano’s blockchain to address the lack of access to rich cultural heritage sites, such as those in Ethiopia, due to geographical and financial barriers. This platform will enable users to explore these landmarks from anywhere in the world through immersive VR experiences while supporting local communities via NFT souvenirs.

How We Perceive the Problem:

The problem lies in the inaccessibility of cultural landmarks and the financial challenges faced by local artists and communities in promoting their cultural heritage. Traditional tourism models fail to provide a globally accessible, immersive experience, limiting cultural exposure and financial opportunities.

Our Approach:

We leverage the global reach of VR technology and the decentralized nature of Cardano’s blockchain to provide a virtual tourism platform. Users can explore Ethiopian landmarks in an interactive manner while collecting digital souvenirs (NFTs), which supports local artists. By integrating Cardano's blockchain, we ensure secure and transparent ownership of these digital assets, promoting long-term engagement with the platform.

Target Audience:

• Cultural enthusiasts who want to explore Ethiopian heritage and other global landmarks.
• Local artists and content creators, who will benefit from the NFT marketplace by showcasing and monetizing their digital works.
• Tourism boards and local governments interested in promoting their cultural heritage to a global audience.

Demonstrating Impact:

We will measure the project's success by:

• User engagement metrics: Number of users, time spent on the platform, and NFT transactions.
• Revenue generated for local artists: NFT sales and the economic impact on local communities.
• Cultural reach: Expansion from Ethiopian landmarks to other global cultural sites, increasing awareness of diverse cultures.

This project will provide a unique and scalable solution to preserving and promoting cultural heritage while driving Cardano adoption through the integration of blockchain technology in global tourism.

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

Value to the Cardano Community:

The VR platform will create a significant new use case for Cardano’s blockchain by demonstrating how it can be applied to virtual tourism, cultural preservation, and NFT marketplaces. This project showcases Cardano’s strengths in providing secure, decentralized ownership of digital assets and supporting sustainable financial ecosystems. By promoting cultural heritage through immersive VR, we can attract a global user base, bringing more attention and users to the Cardano ecosystem. Furthermore, by supporting local artists through NFT sales, the platform will contribute to the Cardano DeFi and NFT economy, driving further adoption of ADA.

How We Will Measure the Impact:

We will track both quantitative and qualitative metrics to measure the project's success:

1. Quantitative Metrics:

• Number of users: We will track the number of unique users accessing the platform and participating in virtual tours.
• NFT transactions: The volume of NFTs minted, bought, and sold on the platform will measure the economic impact on local artists and communities.
• Total ADA transacted: The total value of ADA transactions within the platform will showcase its financial impact.
• Cultural sites added: The number of new cultural landmarks added to the platform, starting with Ethiopian heritage and expanding globally.

1. Qualitative Metrics:

• User satisfaction: Feedback and surveys from users on their experience with the platform.
• Artist and cultural expert feedback: Testimonials and reviews from local creators and historians engaged with the project.
• Cultural reach: The level of awareness and engagement generated within both the blockchain and cultural tourism sectors.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Open-Source Repository: All blockchain code and smart contracts used for the project will be open-source and shared on GitHub, enabling the Cardano developer community to build on and improve the platform.
• Community Updates: Regular updates on the project's progress will be shared through Catalyst, Cardano forums, and social media channels. We will engage with Cardano ambassadors to promote the project to a wider audience.
• Collaborations and Partnerships: We will explore partnerships with Cardano’s DeFi projects, NFT marketplaces, and cultural organizations to enhance the platform's reach and functionality. Additionally, local tourism boards will be engaged to help scale the platform globally.

Through this project, we aim to foster greater global adoption of Cardano, support local economies, and showcase the power of blockchain in innovative, real-world applications.

[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?

Our Capability to Deliver the Project:

Our team brings together a combination of blockchain expertise, VR content development, and strong connections with cultural institutions. We have a proven track record of delivering blockchain-based solutions, including NFT marketplaces and DeFi integration, as well as building immersive VR experiences. Additionally, our experience working with Cardano’s blockchain ensures that we are well-positioned to leverage its technology for secure, decentralized solutions.

• Djibril (Project Lead & Blockchain Developer): With extensive experience in blockchain development, including smart contract design on Cardano, Djibril has successfully managed and delivered complex decentralized projects. Djibril’s experience ensures the integration of Cardano blockchain, from NFT creation to seamless user interactions.

• VR Content Experts: Our VR development team has created immersive experiences for cultural and educational projects, ensuring that the quality of the visual and interactive experience will be of the highest standard.

• Cultural Partnerships: We have already established connections with local cultural experts and tourism boards, including Ethiopian heritage organizations. This gives us the resources to accurately represent cultural sites and traditions while engaging local communities.

Validation of Feasibility:

1. Technical Feasibility:

• Blockchain integration: Our team’s experience in Cardano development ensures that we can easily implement secure and transparent smart contracts for NFT minting and ownership tracking. We have previously launched similar NFT and blockchain projects, proving that we can deliver robust solutions.

• VR Content Creation: The VR development team has successfully created immersive environments for historical and educational purposes. Their experience in building interactive VR content aligns with the project's objectives of creating cultural VR tours.

• Collaborative Partnerships: We have established relationships with tourism authorities and cultural institutions, ensuring access to accurate and high-quality resources for creating the virtual environments.

1. Financial Accountability:

• Transparent Budget Allocation: We will use project management tools to track the spending and allocation of funds, ensuring that each element, from development to marketing, is documented and reported to the Cardano Catalyst community.

• Periodic Reporting: Regular financial reports will be shared with Project Catalyst, ensuring transparency in fund usage. These reports will include detailed breakdowns of costs incurred at each milestone.

• Smart Contract-Driven Payments: Whenever possible, we will utilize Cardano’s smart contracts to automate and ensure transparency in transactions related to development, content creation, and artist payments.

• Security Audits: We will undergo regular security audits to verify the integrity and safety of all blockchain-based elements, particularly NFT transactions and ownership validation.

Project Feasibility Processes:

1. Prototype and Testing: We will begin with an MVP (minimum viable product) focusing on a few select Ethiopian landmarks. This will allow us to test and validate the user experience, blockchain transactions, and NFT minting process before expanding the platform to other cultural landmarks.
2. Beta Testing: After the initial development phase, we will conduct a beta test with a small group of users, including cultural experts and Cardano community members, to gather feedback and make adjustments before launching the full version.
3. Scalable Development: The project is designed to be scalable. After successful implementation in Ethiopia, we will expand to additional cultural landmarks globally, ensuring that the platform is sustainable and adaptable.

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

Research and Resource Collection (Month 1-2)

• Objective: Establish a detailed understanding of cultural landmarks to be included and gather relevant resources.
• Key Activities:
• Collaborate with Ethiopian cultural experts and gather necessary information about landmarks and traditions.
• Research blockchain integration options for NFT minting and ownership tracking on the Cardano blockchain.
• Build partnerships with local tourism boards and NFT artists.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Completion of research report detailing the cultural sites and resources gathered.
• Finalized partnerships with local experts and artists.
• Blockchain integration strategy for NFTs is confirmed.

VR Platform & Cardano Blockchain Integration (Month 3-6)

• Objective: Develop the foundational VR platform and integrate Cardano’s blockchain for NFT transactions.
• Key Activities:
• Develop the VR platform prototype for 2-3 Ethiopian cultural sites.
• Integrate Cardano blockchain for secure NFT minting, ownership tracking, and transactions.
• Implement basic user interaction functionalities for virtual tours.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Working prototype of the VR platform with Cardano integration.
• Successful testing of the NFT minting process and ownership verification on the blockchain.
• Feedback from cultural experts and local stakeholders on the representation of sites.

Milestone 3: Beta Testing and Feedback Integration (Month 7-9)

• Objective: Test the platform with a small group of users, collect feedback, and make improvements.
• Key Activities:
• Launch beta testing with selected users, including Cardano community members, cultural experts, and potential customers.
• Collect user feedback on VR experience, NFT transactions, and overall usability.
• Integrate feedback to improve the user interface, experience, and blockchain functionalities.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Feedback report summarizing user experience and suggested improvements.
• Platform improvements based on beta feedback.
• Confirmation that all critical functionalities (VR experience and blockchain integration) are functioning smoothly.

 Beta Testing and Feedback Integration (Month 7-9)

• Objective: Test the platform with a small group of users, collect feedback, and make improvements.
• Key Activities:
• Launch beta testing with selected users, including Cardano community members, cultural experts, and potential customers.
• Collect user feedback on VR experience, NFT transactions, and overall usability.
• Integrate feedback to improve the user interface, experience, and blockchain functionalities.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Feedback report summarizing user experience and suggested improvements.
• Platform improvements based on beta feedback.
• Confirmation that all critical functionalities (VR experience and blockchain integration) are functioning smoothly.

 Full Launch and Marketing Campaign (Month 10-12)

• Objective: Launch the fully developed platform and begin marketing to a global audience.
• Key Activities:
• Finalize development, ensuring all Ethiopian cultural landmarks are integrated into the platform.
• Launch the platform to the public with an emphasis on Cardano blockchain integration and NFT functionalities.
• Implement a global marketing campaign targeting Cardano users, VR enthusiasts, and cultural tourists.
• Establish partnerships with NFT marketplaces and cultural organizations to promote the project.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Public platform launch, with functioning VR experiences and NFT marketplace.
• Launch of the marketing campaign, including outreach through social media, NFT forums, and Cardano community channels.
• Positive user feedback on both the platform and the cultural representations.

Project Close-out Report and Video (End of Month 12)

• Objective: Provide a comprehensive project summary, including outcomes, lessons learned, and the project’s impact on the Cardano community.
• Key Activities:
• Compile a close-out report summarizing the project’s progress, achievements, and results.
• Create a video presentation demonstrating the platform’s functionality, its use of Cardano’s blockchain, and the cultural impact.
• Share financial reports, user metrics, and NFT transaction data to showcase project impact.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Submission of the project close-out report and video to Project Catalyst.
• A documented presentation of key project data (users, NFT transactions, feedback) and future roadmap.

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

1. Djibril - Project Lead & Developer

• Role: Oversees the entire project and leads the technical development related to Cardano blockchain integration. Responsible for ensuring the smooth implementation of smart contracts for NFT minting, transaction handling, and blockchain interaction on the VR platform.

• Experience: Djibril has extensive experience in development.
• LinkedIn/GitHub: Djibril’s GitHub
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djibril-konate-a739a2280/

1. :Gashu Wendawke (ገላጋይ)- VR Content Developer

• Role: Responsible for designing and developing the immersive virtual reality environments that will represent Ethiopian cultural landmarks. They will work closely with local experts to ensure accuracy and create engaging VR experiences for users.
• Required Skills: Expertise in 3D modeling, VR content development, and creating interactive environments for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, or similar platforms.
• Recruitment Status: We are currently in the process of identifying candidates with a strong portfolio in cultural VR content creation.
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gashu-wendawke-%E1%8C%88%E1%88%8B%E1%8C%8B%E1%8B%AD-731603148/

1. Eshetu Assefa - NFT Marketplace Developer (To Be Recruited)-

• Role: Develops and manages the NFT marketplace within the platform, ensuring smooth NFT minting and transactions. This individual will work on creating secure, scalable solutions for managing user-owned NFTs on the Cardano blockchain.
• Required Skills: Expertise in Cardano blockchain development, experience with NFT protocols, and proficiency in creating secure DeFi and NFT marketplaces.
• Recruitment Status: We are seeking individuals with a proven track record of NFT project development and integration with blockchain platforms.
• Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshetu-assefa-576033299/

4. Local Cultural Experts and Historians (Partnership Established)

• Role: Provide authentic historical and cultural content for the VR platform. These experts will ensure that the representation of Ethiopian landmarks and cultural elements is accurate and respectful of local traditions.
• Contributions: Their role will include providing resources for 3D models, guiding the narrative of the VR experience, and collaborating on creating accurate depictions of important sites.

5. Legal Advisors (To Be Recruited)

• Role: Ensure that the project adheres to local and international laws, particularly concerning intellectual property rights for NFTs, data protection, and blockchain regulations. Legal advisors will also oversee compliance with tourism and cultural content laws.
• Required Skills: Expertise in blockchain law, IP rights, and regulatory compliance.
• Recruitment Status: We will be collaborating with a legal team specializing in blockchain projects to ensure the project meets all relevant legal standards.

Technical and Community Engagement

Community & Technical Channels:

• We have already engaged with Cardano’s technical groups on Discord and Telegram, allowing us to stay connected with the Cardano developer community. This ensures that we can collaborate with developers and access technical resources and support whenever needed.

Ongoing Collaborations:

• We have direct communications with local Ethiopian cultural organizations and tourism boards that are excited about this project. They have committed to providing access to cultural sites and helping us promote the platform once launched.

Additional Team Members:

• Marketing & Community Engagement Expert (To Be Recruited): This role will focus on promoting the platform to global users, managing social media campaigns, and engaging the Cardano community and cultural tourism networks.

Our core team, combined with the recruitment of specialized VR developers, NFT marketplace experts, and legal advisors, ensures that we have the skills and experience necessary to deliver this project successfully. We have already engaged relevant organizations and technical channels, ensuring that we are supported by both the Cardano and local Ethiopian communities.

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

For the Cultural VR on Cardano project, we are requesting 125,000 ADA to cover all aspects of development, integration, marketing, and legal compliance. Below is a detailed breakdown of the costs:

1. VR Platform Development & Integration: 45,000 ADA

• VR Content Creation: Creating immersive 3D models for Ethiopian landmarks, interactive virtual environments, and integrating cultural elements into the platform.
• Cost: 30,000 ADA
• Cardano Blockchain Integration: Development of the NFT marketplace, minting features, and secure ownership tracking via smart contracts.
• Cost: 15,000 ADA

2. NFT Marketplace Development: 25,000 ADA

• NFT Smart Contracts: Developing smart contracts for NFT minting and transactions on Cardano.
• Cost: 10,000 ADA
• Security Audits: Third-party code audits for ensuring the security of blockchain transactions, smart contracts, and user data.
• Cost: 15,000 ADA

3. Marketing and Community Engagement: 20,000 ADA

• Global Marketing Campaign: Promoting the VR platform to the Cardano community, cultural tourists, and NFT collectors through social media, NFT forums, and cultural tourism networks.
• Cost: 12,000 ADA
• Community Building and Outreach: Engaging with local communities, tourism boards, and NFT platforms to increase adoption and promote the platform globally.
• Cost: 8,000 ADA

4. Project Management and Legal Compliance: 15,000 ADA

• Legal Services: Ensuring that the platform complies with intellectual property, data protection, and blockchain regulations (including IP for NFTs and content licensing for cultural sites).
• Cost: 8,000 ADA
• Project Management: Managing timelines, coordinating between VR developers, blockchain experts, and cultural partners.
• Cost: 7,000 ADA

5. Beta Testing and User Feedback Integration: 10,000 ADA

• Beta Testing: Launching a beta version for user feedback and testing the VR experience, NFT transactions, and overall platform usability.
• Cost: 6,000 ADA
• Improvements: Implementing feedback to optimize the user interface, VR interaction, and blockchain functionalities.
• Cost: 4,000 ADA

6. Documentation and Reporting: 10,000 ADA

• Project Close-out Report & Video: Detailed documentation of the project’s development, user adoption, and key metrics, including a video demonstration for Project Catalyst.
• Cost: 5,000 ADA
• Technical Documentation: Creation of guides for future developers and users on how to interact with the VR platform and NFT marketplace.
• Cost: 5,000 ADA

Total Budget: 125,000 ADA

Third-Party Services Used:

• Security Auditors: Professional blockchain security firms to conduct thorough audits of the smart contracts and ensure the integrity of user transactions.
• Marketing Agencies: Engaged to help launch global campaigns promoting the VR platform to both the Cardano community and global cultural tourism markets.
• Legal Advisors: Ensuring compliance with NFT ownership, content licensing, and tourism laws.

Additional Sources of Funding:

In the event that the cost of the project exceeds 125,000 ADA, we are exploring partnerships with local tourism boards and global cultural organizations for additional funding, as well as revenue generated through NFT sales.

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

The Cultural VR on Cardano project represents exceptional value for the Cardano ecosystem by integrating virtual reality, NFTs, and blockchain technology to solve real-world challenges in the cultural tourism industry. Here’s how the cost of the project provides value for money

1. High-Impact Use Case for Cardano Blockchain:

• NFT Integration: By incorporating NFT souvenirs as part of the user experience, we are not only promoting cultural heritage but also driving blockchain adoption for real-world use cases. This project will encourage NFT sales and generate activity on the Cardano network.
• Scalable Global Platform: Starting with Ethiopian heritage, the platform has the potential to expand globally to other cultural sites, scaling the use of Cardano’s blockchain for virtual tourism and NFT marketplaces. The long-term impact on blockchain adoption is significant.

2. Proportional Costs for Delivering Immersive VR and Blockchain:

• The development costs for the VR platform and Cardano blockchain integration are proportional to industry standards for creating high-quality immersive environments and secure blockchain platforms. This includes leveraging experienced VR developers, blockchain engineers, and third-party security auditors.
• VR content creation requires specialized expertise in 3D modeling and interaction design, which justifies the allocation of 45,000 ADA to this aspect of the project.
• The NFT marketplace and smart contract development costs are competitive compared to similar blockchain projects and ensure secure, scalable solutions for users. We have allocated 25,000 ADA for these elements, which include security audits to protect the platform and user transactions.

3. Transparent and Responsible Budgeting:

• Every aspect of the project has been carefully planned and budgeted, ensuring that each resource is used efficiently. Costs for marketing, legal services, and community engagement are kept within reasonable limits to ensure that funds are not overspent in non-technical areas.
• Marketing and outreach costs (20,000 ADA) are essential to promote the platform to a global audience and drive adoption, particularly within the Cardano community, tourism networks, and the NFT market.
• Legal compliance and project management costs are important for ensuring that we adhere to local cultural regulations and blockchain laws. This protects the longevity of the project and justifies the allocated 15,000 ADA.

4. Contribution to Long-Term Growth:

• The project not only benefits the Cardano blockchain by driving activity but also creates new opportunities for tourism, art, and cultural preservation. By supporting local artists and generating income through NFTs, we are contributing to financial inclusion, one of the core missions of Cardano.
• The use of open-source blockchain code will allow future developers to build on this project, further contributing to the Cardano ecosystem and enabling innovation in cultural tourism.

5. Industry-Standard Rates and Costs Justification:

• The budgeted costs for development and blockchain integration are based on industry-standard freelance rates and project costs in both the blockchain and VR industries. For example, VR developers typically charge between $60 to $150 per hour, depending on their level of experience, while blockchain developers in the Cardano space command a similar rate. Given these rates, our development costs are reasonable and aligned with global standards.
• Legal services, particularly those specializing in blockchain and intellectual property, require specialized knowledge, which justifies the allocation of funds for legal compliance to ensure project sustainability.

By carefully aligning the 125,000 ADA budget to achieve impactful, scalable results and ensuring that costs are proportionate to industry standards, the Cultural VR on Cardano project delivers outstanding value for the Cardano ecosystem. This project will drive blockchain adoption, create new NFT revenue streams, and showcase how Cardano can be applied in innovative industries like virtual tourism.