Fanos Crypto Hub: Empowering Ethiopian Youth with Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Dagim Derese

[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)

8

[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-focused educational and innovation hub in Ethiopia, offering workshops, online courses, & community support. This will equip youth with blockchain skills, & entrepreneurship.

[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

Our project will be fully open source, following the principles of accessibility and collaboration throughout the development cycle. We will use the MIT License to ensure that our code, educational materials, and resources can be freely used, modified, and shared by anyone. This license encourages community contribution and ensures that all materials remain publicly available. Our open-source repository will be maintained on platforms like GitHub, allowing transparency, community input, and continual improvement over time.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

What are your reasons for approaching it in the way that you have?

Ethiopia, with its large youth population (over 70% under 30), faces significant challenges, such as high unemployment, lack of access to advanced digital education, and limited economic opportunities. Many young people lack the skills needed for the rapidly growing blockchain and Web3 technologies, which offer vast potential for new jobs and innovative solutions. By establishing a Cardano-centric educational hub, Ethiopia can equip its youth with the technical knowledge to develop real-world blockchain solutions, unlocking new career paths and fostering economic growth.

Additionally, blockchain technology can provide solutions to local challenges in sectors such as agriculture, finance, and supply chains, improving transparency, efficiency, and security. This hub will help Ethiopia's youth build applications that can address these problems, demonstrating Cardano’s potential to create tangible improvements in their daily lives and industries.

Ultimately, this initiative aligns with Ethiopia’s goals of digital transformation and financial inclusion, empowering the younger generation to drive the country's development forward by leveraging cutting-edge technology.

Our proposed solution

Our proposed solution centers on creating a Cardano-centric educational and innovation hub in Ethiopia, which will offer a mix of workshops, seminars, online learning platforms, and practical application support to empower Ethiopian youth with blockchain skills. The key focus is to address the educational and employment gap by providing hands-on training in smart contracts, decentralized applications (dApps), and blockchain problem-solving.

our main objective is to equip youth with the technical skills to develop real-world solutions that use blockchain technology. We will guide them to build blockchain-based applications tailored for local needs—such as improving supply chain transparency, automating contracts, and optimizing financial services. This practical approach will foster innovation and help integrate Cardano’s blockchain technology into local businesses and industries.

Key Components of the Solution:

1. Workshops and Educational Programs: These will cover blockchain fundamentals and Cardano-specific development, focusing on practical applications.
2. Real-World Problem Solving: Youth will be guided to develop real-world solutions using Cardano’s technology, targeting sectors like agriculture, supply chain, and finance.
3. Online Learning Platform: To extend reach, an online platform will offer courses, tutorials, and community forums.
4. Community and Hackathons: Regular hackathons and meetups will encourage collaboration and problem-solving within the community.
5. Pilot Projects: We’ll initiate pilot projects where youth can implement what they've learned, showcasing blockchain’s impact on local businesses.

Why This Matters to Cardano:

This solution is critical for Cardano’s growth in emerging markets. By focusing on youth development, we are not only nurturing future Cardano developers but also expanding blockchain adoption in Ethiopia. Our hub will serve as a beacon of innovation, building a skilled workforce capable of developing decentralized applications that solve real problems. This will bolster Cardano’s ecosystem and align with its mission of promoting financial inclusion and decentralized solutions.

Measuring Impact:

• Participation Metrics: We aim to engage 10,000 participants in the first year through workshops and online learning.
• Project Development: We will track the number of projects and dApps developed, targeting 100 real-world solutions within the first two years.
• Employment and Skills: Our goal is to help 60% of participants secure employment or start blockchain projects within six months of program completion.

This holistic approach will enable Ethiopian youth to not only gain knowledge but also create impactful solutions for their communities.

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

Impact

Our project will bring significant value to the Cardano community by cultivating a new generation of developers and innovators in Ethiopia, a region ripe for blockchain adoption but with limited access to such technologies. Through our Cardano Education and Innovation Hub, we will train youth to create solutions using Cardano, expanding the blockchain's ecosystem and driving real-world applications in critical sectors like agriculture and finance. This expansion into emerging markets will increase Cardano’s global footprint and reinforce its mission of financial inclusion and decentralized solutions.

Measuring Impact:

To measure impact, we will use both quantitative and qualitative metrics:

• Quantitative Metrics:
• Number of Participants: We aim to engage 10,000 participants through in-person workshops, seminars, and online platforms in the first year.
• Projects Launched: Our goal is to support the creation of 100 real-world blockchain solutions over two years, including dApps and smart contracts.
• Business Adoption: We will track how many local businesses adopt Cardano-based solutions from the pilot projects, demonstrating tangible results in real-world scenarios.
• Employment Outcomes: Monitor the employment rate of participants, aiming for 60% employment or successful project launches within six months of program completion.
• Qualitative Metrics:
• We will collect feedback from participants, businesses, and stakeholders to assess the real-world impact of the developed solutions, focusing on improvements in transparency, efficiency, and security.
• Case studies will be documented to showcase how blockchain solutions are addressing local challenges and contributing to social and economic growth.

Sharing Outputs:

We are committed to making all of our project’s outputs open-source and accessible to the global Cardano community. Here's how we will share our outputs:

• Open-Source Repository: All developed code, including dApps, smart contracts, and educational materials, will be hosted on GitHub under an open-source license (MIT License), allowing anyone in the community to use, modify, or build upon the work.
• Online Platform: The online learning platform will remain available to the public, providing ongoing access to courses, tutorials, and discussion forums. This will encourage collaboration and ensure long-term knowledge sharing.
• Community Engagement: We will share our progress and outcomes through Cardano-focused events, meetups, and hackathons, both locally and internationally, to spread awareness of the hub's success and Cardano's impact in Ethiopia.
• Cardano Ecosystem Partnerships: We will actively collaborate with other projects within the Cardano ecosystem to integrate our solutions, fostering a culture of innovation and cross-project collaboration.

Through this holistic approach, our project not only strengthens Cardano’s presence in Ethiopia but also contributes to its global mission of empowering communities and enhancing blockchain’s real-world utility.

[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?

Capability and Feasibility:

 Fanos Crypto stands for the empowerment of individuals through blockchain and cryptocurrency education, driven by the belief that everyone has untapped potential. It provides comprehensive resources that help people grasp the complexities of blockchain technology, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of background or experience. Fanos Crypto has established itself as Ethiopia’s largest crypto community, offering educational courses, biweekly sessions, and interactive platforms to raise awareness and guide individuals in Web3 and decentralized applications.

Fanos Crypto has a proven history of success, demonstrated by its extensive engagement across platforms like TikTok, Telegram, and YouTube, with over 150k followers across platforms , making it the largest cryptocurrency educational hub in Ethiopia. Our team, composed of FinTech and blockchain experts, has delivered hundreds of educational videos, successfully hosted workshops, and developed educational platforms for crypto awareness. This foundation positions us as the best-suited organization to execute this project.

We plan to deliver this hub by following these key processes:

1. Proven Educational Expertise: Fanos Crypto has already educated thousands of people through its structured programs and materials, ensuring that our workshops and online courses are engaging and impactful.
2. Community Engagement: Fanos Crypto thrives on fostering a sense of community. Everyone within our ecosystem is empowered to take ownership, participate in decentralized decision-making, and contribute to collective goals. Our ability to bring together passionate individuals in collaborative environments is a core strength we will carry forward into the hub project.
3. Validation and Feasibility: Our approach has already been tested with hundreds of successful educational sessions. We will build upon this experience by conducting feasibility studies with local businesses, ensuring that the solutions we develop are tailored to the Ethiopian market. Pilot projects, community feedback, and partnerships with local stakeholders will be integral to refining our approach and demonstrating real-world use cases.
4. Transparent Fund Management:

• Budget Allocation: All funds will be allocated in phases, with clear milestone-based releases to ensure progress is on track.
• Accountability: We will publish periodic reports detailing how funds are used, the progress of educational and pilot projects, and feedback from participants.
• Partner Collaboration: By working with trusted local partners, we will ensure responsible and efficient fund usage, validated by both internal teams and external advisors.

1. Global and Local Impact: As the largest crypto community in Ethiopia, Fanos Crypto aims to expand the Cardano ecosystem through this hub by nurturing local talent who will become contributors to Cardano’s growth globally. Our success will be shared widely, not only through open-source platforms but also by contributing to the wider Cardano and crypto community through talks, articles, and collaborations.

In summary, Fanos Crypto’s community-driven approach, combined with our team’s technical expertise and deep connection to the Ethiopian blockchain landscape, makes us the ideal team to execute this project.

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

Hub Setup, Curriculum Design, and Online Platform Prototype (Month 1-2)

Description:

• Secure the physical location for the hub, develop the curriculum for blockchain and Cardano education (beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels), and launch the beta version of the online platform where students can access courses and forums.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Hub space secured with necessary facilities.
• Curriculum for 3 educational tiers completed and approved by blockchain educators.
• Online platform launched with basic functionality (user login, course navigation) and beginner-level content uploaded.
• Initial user feedback collected on platform functionality and content.

First In-Person Workshops, Pilot Project Development, and Online Course Expansion (Month 3-4)

Description:

• Conduct the first round of in-person workshops with a target of at least 500 participants and launch intermediate-level online courses. Additionally, guide participants in initiating pilot blockchain projects addressing local business problems using smart contracts and dApps.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Successful in-person workshops with positive feedback from participants.
• Intermediate online courses uploaded and functional, with active participation.
• At least 5 pilot projects initiated to solve real-world challenges in local sectors, with early prototypes developed.

Community Engagement and First Hackathon (Month 5)

Description:

• Foster community engagement through local meetups and host the first hackathon, encouraging collaboration and problem-solving using blockchain technology.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Active community engagement through meetups.
• First hackathon successfully completed with at least 10 teams participating.
• Projects identified from the hackathon for further development.

Scaling Pilot Projects and Expanding Online Platform (Month 6-7)

Description:

• Scale pilot blockchain projects into more mature applications and expand the online platform by adding advanced courses and certification options.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Pilot projects progressed to more advanced stages.
• Advanced-level courses and certification programs available on the platform.
• Positive user engagement with new content and increased course completion rates.

Showcase Event and Final Reporting (Month 8)

Description:

• Organize a public showcase event for participants to present their blockchain projects. Finalize a comprehensive project report and video summarizing outcomes and impact.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Showcase event held with at least 100 attendees, including potential investors and partners.
• Final report shared with stakeholders and published.
• Close-out video summarizing project milestones and achievements produced and distributed.

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

Project Team and Roles:

1. Dagim Derese (Project Lead)

• Role: Project Manager, Co-founder of Fanos Crypto, Trader and investor.
• Responsibilities: Dagim will oversee the overall project execution, ensuring the timeline and milestones are met. He will manage communication with stakeholders, including team members, investors, and external partners. He will also ensure that the project aligns with the strategic goals of Fanos Crypto, given his extensive experience in cryptocurrency trading and investments since 2019.

2. Meron Bekele Belay (PMP Certified)

• Role: Project Management Professional (PMP) Consultant
• Responsibilities: Meron will provide consultation on project management methodologies, ensuring that all phases adhere to the PMP standards. Meron will also assist in risk management, resource allocation, and task delegation, ensuring smooth project delivery within the constraints of time and budget.
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meronbel?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

PMI Certified Project Manager and Blockchain advocate with over half a decade of experience in digital project management and Web3 technologies.

Meron has been actively involved in Ethiopia’s tech ecosystem, building communities for blockchain projects like Near, Celo, and Solana. With a background in software engineering and a passion for digital transformation, she has led numerous projects that bridge the gap between traditional industries and emerging technologies.

3.Happya Haile- Blockchain Development

• Role: Blockchain Developer
• Responsibilities: This person will lead the technical development of blockchain solutions, including smart contracts, dApp development, and ensuring Cardano integration. They will collaborate with other developers to build, test, and deploy the blockchain-related components of the project.
• Guthub: https://github.com/Happyahaile

4. Kalkidan Mamo- UI/UX Designer

• Role: User Interface and User Experience Designer
• Responsibilities: This person will design the user interfaces for the online platform and ensure an optimal user experience. They will work closely with the development team to ensure the platform is intuitive, visually appealing, and easy to navigate.
• LinkedIn:https://github.com/KellyMamo

5. Nebu Feleke -Community Engagement Lead

• Role: Community Manager
• Responsibilities: This person will be responsible for community outreach and engagement, including managing forums, facilitating workshops, and organizing hackathons. They will ensure active participation from community members and gather feedback to improve the project.

6. Content Creation Lead

• Role: Educational Content Developer
• Responsibilities: This person will develop educational content for the online platform, covering blockchain and Cardano courses. They will work with subject matter experts to ensure that the material is relevant and accessible to learners at various levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced).

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

1. Hub Setup & Infrastructure (25,000 ADA)

• Rent & Utilities for the hub: 7,000 ADA
• Furniture & Equipment (desks, chairs, computers, etc.): 5,000 ADA
• High-Speed Internet setup: 3,000 ADA

2. Curriculum Development & Content Creation (20,000 ADA)

• Expert Instruction & Materials: 10,000 ADA
• Course Development (for beginner to advanced blockchain content): 5,000 ADA
• Video Production & Editing: 5,000 ADA

3. Online Platform Development (15,000 ADA)

• Platform Development (hosting, software licenses, etc.): 7,000 ADA
• User Interface Design: 4,000 ADA
• Ongoing Maintenance: 4,000 ADA

4. Workshops, Hackathons, and Community Engagement (40,000 ADA)

• Event Management (venue, materials, speakers): 10,000 ADA
• Participant Support (food, transportation): 5,000 ADA
• Prizes & Incentives for hackathons: 5,000 ADA

5. Pilot Projects & Real-World Solutions Development (20,000 ADA)

• Support for Pilot Projects (mentorship, resources): 10,000 ADA
• Blockchain Tools & Development Kits: 5,000 ADA
• Deployment & Testing: 5,000 ADA

6. Marketing, Outreach, and Community Building (10,000 ADA)

• Social Media & Content Marketing: 4,000 ADA
• Local Media Campaigns: 3,000 ADA
• Event Promotion & PR: 3,000 ADA

7. Project Management & Reporting (10,000 ADA)

• Project Manager & Team Salaries: 7,000 ADA
• Regular Reporting & Transparency Tools: 3,000 ADA

8. Legal, Accounting, and Documentation (10,000 ADA)

• Legal Counsel (contracts, compliance): 5,000 ADA
• Accounting & Financial Management: 3,000 ADA
• Documentation & Reporting to Catalyst Community: 2,000 ADA

9. Contingency (10,000 ADA)

Reserved for unforeseen costs or additional support.

Total Amount 150,000 ADA

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

The cost of this project represents strong value for money for the Cardano ecosystem by delivering impactful results through efficient allocation of resources, particularly given the local Ethiopian context where costs are much lower than in other regions.

1. Wages and Services: The cost of skilled labor, such as developers, project managers, and instructors, is significantly lower in Ethiopia. This allows us to deliver high-quality outcomes (workshops, content development, platform creation) at a fraction of the cost seen in Western economies.
2. Infrastructure Costs: The expenses associated with setting up a physical hub and infrastructure (rent, utilities, equipment) are minimized in Ethiopia, meaning we can invest more into the actual delivery of education and blockchain solutions. These reduced costs will stretch the ADA funding further while maintaining quality.
3. Real-World Solutions: By guiding young developers and entrepreneurs to build Cardano-based dApps and smart contract solutions, the project generates real-world use cases that enhance Cardano’s visibility and adoption. Local sectors like agriculture, finance, and supply chain management can greatly benefit from blockchain transparency and efficiency, which, in turn, will demonstrate Cardano’s potential in these industries.
4. Open Source and Ecosystem Impact: All project outcomes—such as educational materials, code, and pilot projects—will be made open source. This significantly increases the return on investment, as the entire global Cardano community can access, reuse, and build upon the project’s results, fostering further innovation.
5. Long-Term Value: The project is not only about immediate education but also about nurturing a future workforce that will contribute to the Cardano ecosystem for years to come. Through continuous learning opportunities and pilot projects, we aim to create a sustainable environment for blockchain development in Ethiopia.
6. Accountability and Transparency: Our structured approach, including regular milestone reports, feedback loops, and public transparency via open-source platforms, ensures responsible fund management. By breaking the project into clear stages and delivering key outputs, we ensure that every ADA spent has a visible and trackable impact.

Ultimately, the combination of lower operational costs, long-term ecosystem value, and global reuse of resources ensures that this project delivers high value for the investment, while fostering Cardano’s mission of financial inclusion and decentralized solutions.