Last updated 6 months ago
Less than 1% of sports funding in West Africa supports elite female athletes, leaving them without resources, health support, or financial autonomy.
We will deliver Cardano-powered micro-grants, biology-informed health kits, and host a female sports tech workshop and hackathon that educates and empowers elite female athletes in West Africa.
This is the total amount allocated to Aya - Decentralized Ecosystem For African female Athletes .
Please provide your proposal title
Aya - Decentralized Ecosystem For African female Athletes
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
60000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
6
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Less than 1% of sports funding in West Africa supports elite female athletes, leaving them without resources, health support, or financial autonomy.
Supporting links
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
No
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
No dependencies
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
Yes
License and Additional Information
MIT, github,
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Connected Community
Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano.
We target elite female athletes and women in tech across Ghana. Through partnerships with national sports bodies, universities, and local Web3 communities, we onboard athletes to Cardano via ADA micro-grants and wallet training. This matters because it demonstrates Cardano’s real-world utility in financial inclusion, health equity, and decentralized empowerment, growing Africa’s Web3 footprint from the ground up.
Provide a list of key activities of your project?
Onboard 8–10 female athletes to Cardano with wallets and ADA micro-grants
• Distribute performance & health kits (hydration, menstrual, injury prevention)
• Deliver Web3 literacy sessions on security, transactions, and decentralization
• Host a 3-week hybrid incubator and sports tech hackathon for women
• Showcase 3+ prototype tools integrating Cardano (e.g., fan engagement, biometrics)
• Produce public impact video and final report with on-chain proof
What are your success metrics?
8–10 new Cardano wallets created and actively used by athletes
• 100% of athletes complete Web3 onboarding + post-training feedback
• 30+ participants (athletes, devs, creatives) in hackathon
• 3+ Cardano-integrated prototypes showcased publicly
• 500+ new social media followers; 70%+ event attendance retention
• Final impact video published; all PoAs shared on-chain and via Catalyst portal
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
Women’s sport in West Africa is at a breaking point: despite rising talent, elite female athletes face systemic exclusion from funding, performance tools, and innovation ecosystems. In Ghana and neighbouring countries, less than 1% of sports investment reaches women, forcing many to self-fund training, sacrifice health, or retire early. The current traditional systems overlook such female-specific demands as menstrual health and hormonal imbalances, injury prevention, as well as digital transformation in male dominated sports.
Project Aya disrupts this trend by introducing a women-owned and decentralized project, where Cardano is used as a means of equality, openness, and empowerment. Our purpose is not to develop intricate technology, but to mobilize humanity, in three interconnected, high-impact actions:
We will disburse ₳6,000 ADA by way of direct micro-grants to 8-10 elite female Ghana athletes. Each recipient will receive ADA in a personal wallet, with funds tied to training milestones (e.g., competition participation, recovery tracking). This is not charity, it’s direct, accountable investment in athlete dignity. Every transaction will be on-chain and publicly verifiable, demonstrating Cardano’s power as a transparent, trustless funding mechanism. The athletes will also have some help in getting a wallet set up, and learned Web3 literacy, making sure they are comfortable with security, using it, while appreciating being part of a decentralized ecosystem.
Recognizing that female physiology is often ignored in sports funding, we will deliver custom Aya Performance Packs containing hydration mixes, menstrual health tools, hormonal trackers, and injury prevention aids. These kits address critical gaps in female athlete care and directly improve performance sustainability. By linking physical support with digital empowerment, we show how blockchain can fund holistic, human-centered development, not just apps or tokens.
To grow the ecosystem, we will host a workshop with a hackathon to follow. The Hackathon will be tailored to developing solutions that solve female athlete training problems that limit them getting to elite level. (e.g., menstural health trackers to track hormonal imbalances that disrupts training every month, wearable tech that tracks sleep and recovery, etc.)
Over 3–4 weeks, we’ll bring together female athletes, developers, designers, and creatives to co-create tools that solve real problems. All teams will be encouraged to integrate Cardano (e.g., for identity, rewards, or transparent voting). The event will be hybrid (in-person in Accra + virtual), livestreamed, and open to regional participants. Winning prototypes will be presented publicly, and preparatory mentorship will be provided in further development.
The reason why this solution is unique is that it places female athletes at the center of the solution by not only being participants but also innovators. It uses Cardano not as a speculative instrument, but as a base of financial inclusion, health equity, and community ownership. By combining on-chain transparency, real-world impact, and grassroots innovation, Project Aya creates a replicable model for how blockchain can uplift marginalized talent in Africa.
The project directly supports Cardano’s mission of fairness and decentralization, proving that real adoption starts with empowering people, especially those historically excluded.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
Project Aya will have a quantifiable and sustainable effect not only on female athletes in West Africa but also on the Cardano community as a whole due to the impact of showcasing how blockchain technology can be used to achieve social equality, economic empowerment and decentralization of innovations.
Direct Impact on Athletes:
• 8–10 elite female athletes will gain direct access to funding, health resources, and digital literacy, improving their training capacity and career longevity.
• Each athlete will own a Cardano wallet, understand how to use ADA securely, and see their funding history on-chain, a powerful step toward financial autonomy.
• Better access to menstrual and hormonal health resources will work towards reducing long-standing performance obstacles, establishing a new precedent of athlete care in Africa.
Ecosystem & Community Impact:
• New users will get access to Cardano not based on speculation, but on actual utility and dignity. This reinforces the image of Cardano as a blockchain with good.
• The women-led hackathon will inspire a new wave of African women in tech, showing that Cardano is accessible, inclusive, and relevant to local challenges.
• By showcasing 3+ Cardano-integrated prototypes, we will generate new ideas and talent for the broader ecosystem, potentially seeding future Catalyst proposals.
• The project will increase local community participation in Ghana, and eventually spread to Nigeria, Senegal and Cameroon in the later stages.
Measuring Impact:
We will track both quantitative and qualitative outcomes:
• On-chain data: Wallet creation, ADA disbursements, transaction history
• Surveys & feedback: Pre/post Web3 literacy, athlete satisfaction, hackathon participant experience
• Event metrics: Attendance, retention, social media growth, website traffic
• Outputs: The quantity of kits shipped, prototypes developed, and videos produced.
Sharing Outputs & Opportunities:
All results will be made publicly available in order to encourage transparency and replication:
• Proof of Achievement (PoA): Photos, videos, wallet addresses, delivery logs
• Final Impact Video: 3–5 minute documentary-style film showcasing athlete journeys, hackathon highlights, and on-chain funding proof.
• Public Report: Published on the Catalyst portal, including performance snapshots, lessons learned, and open-source recommendations
• Open Access: Hackathon concepts and educational materials will be shared under open licenses for reuse across Africa.
This project will shift the narrative around women’s sports from charity to investment, and from exclusion to empowerment. It proves that Cardano can be a force for equity, not just in code, but in culture.
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?
Project Aya is led by Marie Korkor Agbah-Hughes, an international Olympic weightlifter, Ghanaian national record holder and the co-founder of Just Keep Going Inc. She has over 10 years of experience in elite sports across the USA, Europe, West & North Africa, and the Middle East.
Marie brings deep credibility and a firsthand understanding of the gaps in women's sports. Being a player, coach, and tech leader, she is a rare person who combines a high-performance sports career with the brave new world of Web3. Her experience enables her to develop and implement solutions that solve real-world problems of female athletes, and through accountability and transparency.
The team includes:
Kennedy Matsagas Schaal (Sports Science Advisor): As a longevity biologist and AI researcher, Kennedy brings nearly 20 years of experience. She is the Founder & CEO of Rejuve Biotech and a lead researcher on the Methuselah Flies experiment, providing a strong scientific foundation for designing the Aya Performance Packs.
Ama Branoa Banful (Senior Technical Advisor): An engineer and AI researcher specializing in machine learning and data-driven innovation. She has led projects focused on speech technologies for African languages and will oversee the technical strategy, hackathon innovation, and monitoring for Project Aya.
Priscilla Boakye (Marketing & Community Engagement): A digital strategist with proven experience in SEO, content creation, and Web3 storytelling. She will lead outreach and narrative building to ensure strong community visibility.
Venus Tawiah (Communications & Digital Strategy Advisor): A multi-disciplined business leader known for driving business transformation through creativity, digital, and technology. She has collaborated with organizations like NIKE and Unilever. Additionally, she is an athlete on Ghana's National Fencing Team and serves as the Director of Women's Esports with the eSports Association of Ghana.
We have already developed relationships with the Ghana Weightlifting Federation, National Sports Authority, and Women's Esports, which would provide high-level local support on the ground alongside access to participants.
Milestone Title
Cohort Launching and Athlete Onboarding
Milestone Outputs
• Recruitment and selection of 8–10 elite female athletes in Ghana
• Completion of consent and participation agreements
• Setup of secure Cardano wallets for all athletes
• Web3 onboarding session delivered (wallet use, security, Cardano basics)
Acceptance Criteria
• At least 8 athletes formally onboarded and verified
• All athletes have functional Cardano wallets
• Attendance records and training completion confirmed
• Project team has established communication channels with cohort
Evidence of Completion
• Signed participation agreements (redacted for privacy)
• Screenshots of athlete wallet addresses and on-chain transaction IDs (explorer links)
• Attendance sheet and feedback form from Web3 training session
• Photo/video clips of onboarding activities (e.g., training sessi
Delivery Month
2
Cost
12000
Milestone Title
Performance Kit Rollout & Hackathon Launch
Milestone Outputs
• Procurement and delivery of Aya Performance Kits (hydration, menstrual health, injury prevention, recovery tools) to all athletes
• First round of ADA micro-grants disbursed
• Bi-weekly check-ins completed with athletes (at least 3 sessions)
• Launch of women-led sports tech hackathon: open call, mentorship, workshops
• At least 30 participants registered (athletes, developers, creatives)
• 3+ prototype concepts in active development with Cardano integration
Acceptance Criteria
• 100% of athletes receive and confirm receipt of performance kits
• Feedback collected from athletes on kit usage and impact
• First micro-grant transactions confirmed on-chain
• Hackathon officially launched with public announcement and structured program
• At least 3 teams actively developing Cardano-compatible prototypes
• Mentorship sessions delivered and documented
Evidence of Completion
• Signed delivery logs or confirmation receipts for kit distribution
• Survey results or testimonial quotes from athletes on kit impact
• Hackathon launch announcement (social media, website, email)
• List of registered participants (names/redacted contact info)
• Photos/videos from workshops and team development sessions
• Prototype concept summaries with indication of Cardano use (e.g., for identity, rewards, transparency)
Delivery Month
4
Cost
38000
Milestone Title
Final Showcase & Project Close-Out
Milestone Outputs
• Public showcase event (hybrid: in-person in Accra + livestreamed) featuring 3+ prototype demonstrations
• Final impact report detailing athlete outcomes, community engagement, and lessons learned
• Proof of Demonstration video (3–5 minutes) showcasing athlete journeys, on-chain grants, and hackathon highlights
• Submission of final Proof of Project report and video to Catalyst
• On-chain summary of all ADA disbursements
Acceptance Criteria
• At least 3 working prototypes presented at a public event
• Video and final report submitted in the required format
• All milestone deliverables completed and documented
• Final on-chain transactions verified
• Project outcomes clearly tied to original proposal goals
Evidence of Completion
• Full recording of the public showcase event (livestream link or video file)
• Final impact report (PDF) with photos, data, and testimonials
• Proof of Demonstration video (3–5 mins, uploaded to YouTube/Vimeo + embedded in report)
• Screenshot or CSV export of all on-chain transactions (wallets, amounts, dates)
• Social media analytics showing reach (e.g., views, engagement, follower growth)
• Public post on Catalyst platform announcing project completion
Delivery Month
6
Cost
10000
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Recruitment, screening, and onboarding of 8–10 elite female athletes; verification, consent, and participation agreements; community integration and kickoff activities.
Digital campaign and event promotion
Wallet setup, security training, Cardano literacy materials, support
Hydration, menstrual health, injury prevention, and recovery tools
Direct ADA disbursements to 8–10 athletes for training and living costs
Event logistics, mentorship, prizes, livestream, venue (hybrid), coordination
Stipend for key project personnel
Data collection, impact analysis, final report, and public demonstration video
TOTAL REQUEST
₳60,000 ADA
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
Project Aya delivers exceptional value for the Cardano ecosystem by investing ₳60,000 ADA in a high-impact, low-overhead initiative that activates real-world adoption, grows Africa’s Web3 community, and centers underrepresented voices, all within the maximum allowable budget for the Ecosystem (Non-Technical) category.
All the money will be used in a meaningful way, be transparent in nature, and related to a specific metric of success that will be of benefit to the female athletes in Ghana and the entire Cardano community. This project is not an investment into making speculative developments or abstract ideas come to life, it is an investment in human dignity, financial inclusion and grassroots innovation and shows the human and empowerment potential of blockchain.
Below is a breakdown of how each cost is justified and delivers disproportionate value:
The process of recruitment, screening, consent, and onboarding of athletes will be ethical and inclusive. This involves background investigations and court-like contracts, and assimilation into a nurturing community. Considering a relatively small number of athletes (8-10), this price speaks about the high level of coordination required to deal with top athletes in different regions. It provides credibility as it instils trust, security and sustainability, which is a cornerstone in the project.
This awareness will be established by way of a specific online campaign in Ghana and Nigeria, and the global Cardano community. Activities include:
Social media advertising (Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok)
Creation of content (athlete stories, explainer videos)
Sports federations, universities, Web3 hubs, outreach
At $1,000–$1,500, this is below average market rates for professional campaigns, maximizing reach with minimal spend, expected outcome: 300+ new social followers, 800+ impressions, and strong voter engagement.
We allocate funds for secure wallet setup, safety education, and Cardano literacy materials (guides, videos, FAQs). This includes one-on-one support to ensure athletes can safely receive, hold, and understand ADA. At ₳400–₳500 per athlete, this exceeds typical freelance training rates ($20–30/hr) but is necessary due to the high-touch, localized support required for first-time Web3 users. The result will be 8–10 new, educated Cardano users who will be ambassadors of our community in their respective communities and extend the reach of the project.
This investment steps into a serious, unaddressed gap: female athlete-specific health. The kits contain hydration products, menstrual cycle calculators, hormone support products, and injury precautionary measures, items that are hardly financed within mainstream sporting systems. At ~₳1,000–₳1,250 per athlete, this cost reflects bulk procurement from vetted African health-tech suppliers and ensures dignity, performance sustainability, and long-term career retention. This is more than a mere gift; this is a sensible investment in human capital, demonstrating how decentralized funds might contribute to comprehensive well-being.
A direct pay of ADA to 8–10 elite female athletes (avg. ₳800–₳1,000 each) provides immediate, tangible support for training, nutrition, and living costs. In Ghana, this amount can cover 1–2 months of full-time athlete expenses, where the average monthly income is ~$300 USD. These are not handouts; funds are tied to milestones (e.g., competition participation, recovery tracking), ensuring accountability. Sending ADA straight into new wallets shows on-chain worth and economic sovereignty, generating actual customers who comprehend and utilize Cardano.
This budget covers a hybrid 3-week incubator and public hackathon focused on women in sports tech. Costs will consist of:
Venue & hybrid livestream (₳3,000)
Mentorship stipends for 5–6 experts (₳2,500)
Prizes for top 3 prototypes (₳1,500 in ADA)
Logistics, meals, transport (₳2,000)
Coordination & staffing (₳1,000)
This event will engage about 20 participants, spark more than 1 Cardano-integrated prototypes, and be livestreamed to thousands. Compared to global hackathon averages (often $20k+), this is a lean, high-leverage investment that seeds long-term innovation in Africa’s Web3 ecosystem.
This supports key team members with modest stipends (~₳2,500 each). These are not actual salaries; they are honorariums of time, skill and leadership. This would indicate good payment for good professionals without overestimating the expenses in Ghana. The team has already done a lot of pro-bono work; this stipend will be recognition of their time, and it will guarantee delivery focus.
This is a vitally important budget line which maintains transparency, accountability and legacy. It covers:
Bi-weekly check-ins and data collection
Impact analysis and final report
A high-quality 3–5 minute Proof of Demonstration video showcasing athlete journeys, on-chain grants, and hackathon outcomes
This video will be publicly shared, serving as irrefutable proof of impact for voters and future funders at ~$3,000; it’s below market rate for professional documentary production, but essential for trust-building and replication.
Why This Represents Exceptional Value
Cost Efficiency: At ₳60,000, this project achieves what larger grants often fail to deliver: real people helped, real transactions made, real innovation sparked.
Geographic Leverage: Operating in Ghana allows lower operational costs while achieving high social ROI; every ADA goes further.
Multiplier Effect: Each athlete becomes a Web3 ambassador. Each hackathon participant may build the next Cardano dApp. The ripple effect is exponential.
Alignment with Catalyst’s Mission: This is not vanity tech; it’s blockchain for good, proving Cardano’s value in financial inclusion, health equity, and decentralized community building.
Project Aya does not just spend funds; it multiplies its impact across sport, gender equity, and technology. For less than the cost of a single car in developed nations, we empower a new generation of African women to rise, with Cardano as their foundation.
This is value for money at its best: lean, ethical, transformative, and built to scale.
Terms and Conditions:
Yes