Decentralized Carbon Offset Marketplace on Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Yeabkal ephrem

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

Individual

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

150000

[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)

A decentralized marketplace on Cardano for transparent carbon credit transactions.

It will enable businesses to buy verified carbon credits on an immutable ledger.

[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 platform’s smart contract and marketplace code will be fully open source, allowing the Cardano community to contribute to its evolution and transparency.

[METADATA] Horizons

Community

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

We will create a decentralized carbon offset marketplace on Cardano where businesses and individuals can securely purchase verified carbon credits. The marketplace will use smart contracts to ensure transactions are transparent and recorded immutably, making it easy to verify that the credits purchased are retired and not resold.

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

The platform will drive adoption of the Cardano blockchain by showcasing its ability to support sustainability initiatives. It will also attract environmentally-conscious businesses to the ecosystem, increasing both ADA usage and community engagement. We will measure success by the volume of transactions and the amount of carbon credits retired.

[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?

As an experienced blockchain developer with a background in decentralized applications, I have the technical knowledge and resources to lead this project successfully. I will validate feasibility through regular testing, audits of the smart contract, and feedback from early adopters during a beta phase.

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

Complete Platform Design and Smart Contract Architecture (1 month)

• Objective: Finalize the overall design and architecture of the platform, including user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) elements.
• Tasks:
• Conduct user research to understand the needs and preferences of potential users.
• Create wireframes and prototypes for the platform interface.
• Design the architecture for the smart contracts that will manage carbon credit transactions.
• Review and iterate designs based on feedback from potential users and stakeholders.

Develop and Integrate Carbon Credit Verification System (2 months)

• Objective: Develop the backend systems required for carbon credit verification and integrate them with the Cardano blockchain.
• Tasks:
• Collaborate with established carbon credit certification bodies to understand their verification processes.
• Develop smart contracts that will handle the issuance and retirement of carbon credits.
• Create APIs for integrating external data sources (e.g., project performance data).
• Test the verification process and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Beta Testing and Community Feedback (2 months)

• Objective: Launch a beta version of the platform to a limited audience for testing and gather user feedback.
• Tasks:
• Recruit a diverse group of beta testers, including businesses, environmental organizations, and individual users.
• Conduct thorough testing of all platform features, focusing on functionality, usability, and security.
• Gather feedback through surveys, interviews, and user behavior analysis.
• Make necessary adjustments to the platform based on user input.

Official Launch of the Platform (1 month)

• Objective: Launch the finalized version of the platform to the public.
• Tasks:
• Prepare marketing materials and campaigns to promote the platform's launch.
• Host a launch event or webinar to educate potential users about the platform's features and benefits.
• Monitor the platform closely during the launch phase for any technical issues or user concerns.
• Begin onboarding new users and carbon credit projects onto the marketplace.

Ongoing Maintenance and Feature Updates (Ongoing)

• Objective: Ensure the platform remains operational, secure, and relevant post-launch.
• Tasks:
• Regularly update the platform based on user feedback and emerging technologies.
• Implement security audits and performance optimizations.
• Develop additional features based on user demand, such as advanced reporting tools or integrations with other sustainability platforms.
• Maintain communication with the user community to keep them informed about updates and improvements.

1. Reporting and Evaluation of Project Impact (1 month)

• Objective: Assess the project’s overall impact on the carbon offset market and the Cardano community.
• Tasks:
• Collect data on platform usage, including the number of transactions and carbon credits retired.
• Analyze the feedback received from users and stakeholders to evaluate satisfaction and areas for improvement.
• Prepare a comprehensive report detailing project outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations for future enhancements.
• Share the findings with the Cardano community and relevant stakeholders to promote transparency and encourage continued support.

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

Currently, the project is led by me, Yaebkal Epheram(https://t.me/F1rac), as the lead developer and project manager. I will oversee the platform's architecture, smart contract development, and community engagement.

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

• Development & Smart Contract Creation: 60,000 ADA
• Carbon Credit Integration: 20,000 ADA
• Beta Testing & Audits: 30,000 ADA
• Marketing & Outreach: 20,000 ADA
• Maintenance & Support: 20,000 ADA

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

This project offers value for money by solving a pressing global issue with a scalable and decentralized solution. By leveraging Cardano’s secure blockchain, we can ensure that carbon credit transactions are transparent and tamper-proof, creating trust in the ecosystem. The budget reflects the resources needed to develop, launch, and maintain the platform, while maximizing the impact on both the Cardano and sustainability communities.