Last updated a week ago
Many Ghanaian students struggle to engage with Cardano due to limited technical knowledge, lack of guidance, and minimal incentives to stay committed even after successful onboarding initiatives.
Cardano & Cho helps 50+ students in Ghana complete Cardano Academy, with 10+ taking the CBCA exam, using food-centered study groups to boost retention, engagement, and certification.
Please provide your proposal title
Cardano & Cho
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
55000
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?
Many Ghanaian students struggle to engage with Cardano due to limited technical knowledge, lack of guidance, and minimal incentives to stay committed even after successful onboarding initiatives.
Supporting links
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
Yes
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
AIESEC in Ghana. They are a youth-led organization that has the platform for youths to explore and develop their leadership potentials. Hence, we would be using their platform to reach their members we onboarded during our Cardano Campus activation in Fund13.
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
Yes
License and Additional Information
Frequent Updates: The project's meetings and activities will be published regularly to keep the Cardano community updated via the our media channels.
Registration: Google Forms will be used for learner registration and record-keeping. Non-sensitive data from the registration process will be shared as part of the project progress reports.
Media Engagement & Marketing: Every stage of the project will be promoted on mainstream social media platforms and via direct emails to course participants.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Training
Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano.
We're targeting Ghanaian university students who attended any of our Campus Activation Campaigns. We'll engage them through existing campus networks, WhatsApp groups, and social media, focusing on three regions. This matters for Cardano because it builds a strong, early-stage user base in Africa, drives adoption, and ensures long-term ecosystem growth through educated, motivated contributors.
Provide a list of key activities of your project?
Form 3 learning groups of 17+ students each
Weekly virtual learning sessions
Monthly food-based meetups to increase engagement
Group challenges and certification milestones
Mentorship and guidance from local Cardano experts
Media documentation and social sharing
Final reporting and success tracking
What are your success metrics?
At least 50 students complete Cardano Academy
3 active learning groups sustained over project period
80% session attendance rate
Increased understanding shown via pre/post surveys
Social media impressions and content engagement
Final report submitted with measurable impact
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
After onboarding 250+ students into the Cardano ecosystem across Accra, Cape Coast, and Sunyani, the major feedback we received was uncertainty about what to do next—especially from students without strong technical backgrounds or blockchain knowledge.
Our solution is Cardano & Cho—a 3-month group learning experience where 51 carefully selected students (≥17 in each city) will be supported to complete the Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate (CBCA) course and for at least 10 of them, to sit for the official CBCA examination. The name “Cho” means “food” in local Ghanaian parlance and reflects our belief that where there is food, people listen.
Each group will meet twice monthly—once in-person at a local eatery and once virtually. In-person sessions will combine shared meals, interactive discussions, and mentor check-ins.
Students will also receive:
Monthly internet support
Transportation fare (including for exam day)
Souvenirs (notebooks, pens, T-shirts)
Guidance from trained mentors
Certification upon course completion and, for those taking the exam, the opportunity to earn an official CBCA credential
Selection Process:
We will open applications to interested students, conduct virtual interviews, and select 51 individuals based on commitment, interest, and city representation.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
This project will significantly deepen the engagement of over 50 Ghanaian university students who have already been introduced to Cardano through our past initiative, Cardano Campus Activation, which successfully onboarded 250+ students across three regions.
While onboarding created awareness, this initiative focuses on retention, learning, and integration. By using a group-based learning model supported by food-centered meetups, consistent mentorship, and milestone-based progress, we'll ensure students not only complete Cardano Academy but are also equipped to contribute meaningfully to the ecosystem.
The project will foster long-term relationships with passionate young people who can evolve into SPOs, Dreps, developers, content creators, or governance participants within Cardano.
As Africa remains a strategic frontier for blockchain adoption, our work ensures that the early interest sparked by Fund13 support grows into sustainable involvement, with participants becoming catalysts for Cardano's growth in their campuses and beyond.
The measurable outcome will be a dedicated student community, capable of peer-onboarding others, participating in governance, and solving local problems through Cardano-based tools.
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 team has a proven track record of executing blockchain education initiatives in Ghana with transparency and impact. As recipients of Fund13, we successfully organized three large-scale Cardano Campus Activation events in Sunyani, Accra, and Cape Coast, onboarding over 250 students into the ecosvstem.
This experience gave us both operational insight and a trusted reputation within the local community.
We are committed to upholding accountability through detailed reporting, transparent budgeting, and documented feedback from each meetup.
Our approach of combining milestone-based learning, group mentoring, and food-centered meetups has already been piloted in smaller student clusters with positive outcomes in retention and learning. We will validate its feasibility at scale through participant feedback, mentor reports, and measurable progress on Cardano Academy completion.
The project's design also includes clear KPIs and a contingency plan to adapt based on learning progress and engagement levels
The Project Lead has successfully completed the course has attained the CBCA Learn Badge issued by Cardano Foundation(find evidence here).
Alternate for Ghana at the Cardano Constituional Convention 2024
Milestone Title
Planning, Recruitment & Onboarding
Milestone Outputs
1.Onboarded project team and mentors.
Project Team and Mentor roles clearly defined with deliverables in a document. This will be in a google drive.
2.Publicity for Open Applications for course enrolment on social media platforms: LinkedIn and Twitter.
Links of social media platform posts in a google form.
3.Interviewing interested Applicants
Link to meeting on Google meet and picture evidence of interview.
4.Onboarding successful applicants
Link to meeting on Google meet and picture evidence of onboarding session.
5.Grouping a minimum of 51 students into three groups (17+ per group)
Names and details of successful applicants would be presented in a document.
6.Finalized content plan for study sessions
A document showing the content plan for the study sessions.
Acceptance Criteria
1.Project Team and Mentor roles clearly defined with deliverables in a document. This will be in a google drive.
A single document listing out all project team members and mentors together with their roles and deliverables will be presented.
2.Links of social media platform posts in a google document.
A google document describing the different promotional materials created, including links to at least one social media post. Any flyers and videos created will also be included, with picture or video evidence provided in the form. The engagement metrics, such as the number of views, will be summarized for each post along with the date of the summary, and a total engagement figure for the social media post will be included.
3.Link to Interview meeting and picture evidence of Interview Session
A folder containing picture evidence of at least 5 interviews conducted and a link to the meeting
4.Link to meeting and video of onboarding session.
A minimum of one video, at least 5 minutes in length, will be uploaded to Google Drive, of onboarding session. Meeting link would be presented in a document.
5.Names and details of successful applicants would be presented in a document.
A single document showing succesful applicants with their various groups.
6.A document showing the content plan for the study sessions.
A single docment showing the content plan for the study sessions will be presented
Evidence of Completion
1.A Google document titled 'Project Team and Mentors' will provide details on Project Team and Mentors together with their roles.
2.A Google document titled 'Social Media Announcement" will provide an overview of the social media post, along with any flyers or links to video marketing materials. It will also summarize the number of engagement views
3.A Google folder titled 'Interview of Applicants' will provide at least 5 pctured of the interview conducted and a link to the meeting link.
4.A Google Drive folder titled 'Onboarding Session' will be provided, containing video from session.
5.A Google document titled 'Successful Applicants' will provide the details of successful applicants and their various groups.
6.A Google Document titled 'Content Plan' will provide the content plan of the study sessions.
Delivery Month
1
Cost
4000
Progress
10 %
Milestone Title
Learning Phase 1
Milestone Outputs
1.Bi-monthly online progress sessions conducted across the three selected regions.
Host two online progress meetings within the month to track progess of learners.
2.One in person meeting in each of the three regions.
Host one in person meetup at an eatery to serve as a bonding space and also to address any pertaining issue learners may face.
3.Distribution of learning support incentives (souvenirs, data bundles, etc.)
Distribute internet data to learners and souvernirs(T shirt, notepad,pens) to our learners
4.Guest speaker session from active Cardano ecosystem members
Host an online space for learners with Guest speaker from the Cardano ecosystem.
5.Feedback surveys on learning phase 1 experience.
A feedback response from learners sharing their views on learning phase 1 experience
Acceptance Criteria
1.Host two online progress meetings within the month to track progess of learners.
A link to the progress meetings and a picture from the session would be taken and presented.
2.Host one in person meetup at an eatery to serve as a bonding space and also to address any pertaining issue learners may face.
A folder containing at least 5 pictures from meetup and at most a one page document report on the meeting would be presented.
3.Distribute internet data to learners and souvernirs(T shirt, notepad,pens) to our learners
A folder containing pictures of distribution of internet data and souvenirs such as pens, T shirt and notepads
4.Host an online space for learners with Guest speaker from the Cardano ecosystem.
A folder containing a link to the meeting session and at least one picture evidence of the ongoing meeing.
5.A feedback response from learners sharing their views on learning phase 1 experience
A google sheet presenting feedbacks from learners sharing their learning expeiences in the learning phase 1
Evidence of Completion
1.A Google folder tited 'Onine Progress Meetings' will provide the link to those meeting and a picture evidence fom each meeting.
2.A Google folder titled 'In-person Meeting' will contain at least 5 pictures from the meetup and a report summary of the meetup
3.A Google folder title 'Learners Support Package' will contain pictures of confirmed distribution of internet data and souvenirs
4.A Google document titled 'Guest Speaker Space' will provide at least one picture evidence from the meeting.
5.A Googe Folder titled 'Learners' Feedback' will provide the feedbacks shared by our learners for learning phase 1.
Delivery Month
2
Cost
10000
Progress
30 %
Milestone Title
Learning Phase 2
Milestone Outputs
1.Bi-monthly online progress sessions conducted across the three selected regions.
Host two online progress meetings within the month to track progess of learners.
2.One in person meeting in each of the three regions.
Host one in person meetup at an eatery to serve as a bonding space and also to address any pertaining issue learners may face.
3.Distribution of learning support incentives (souvenirs, data bundles, etc.)
Distribute internet data to learners and souvernirs(T shirt, notepad,pens) to our learners
4.Guest speaker session from active Cardano ecosystem members
Host an online space for learners with Guest speaker from the Cardano ecosystem.
5.A feedback response from learners sharing their views on learning phase 2 experience
Acceptance Criteria
1.Host two online progress meetings within the month to track progess of learners.
A link to the progress meetings and a picture from the session would be taken and presented.
2.Host one in person meetup at an eatery to serve as a bonding space and also to address any pertaining issue learners may face.
A folder containing at least 5 pictures from meetup and at most a one page document report on the meeting would be presented.
3.Distribute internet data to learners and souvernirs(T shirt, notepad,pens) to our learners
A folder containing pictures of distribution of internet data and souvenirs such as pens, T shirt and notepads
4.Host an online space for learners with Guest speaker from the Cardano ecosystem.
A folder containing a link to the meeting session and at least one picture evidence of the ongoing meeing.
5.A feedback response from learners sharing their views on learning phase 1 experience
A google sheet presenting feedbacks from learners sharing their learning expeiences in the learning phase 2
Evidence of Completion
1.A Google folder tited 'Onine Progress Meetings' will provide the link to those meeting and a picture evidence fom each meeting.
2.A Google folder titled 'In-person Meeting' will contain at least 5 pictures from the meetup and a report summary of the meetup
3.A Google folder title 'Learners Support Package' will contain pictures of confirmed distribution of internet data and souvenirs
4.A Google document titled 'Guest Speaker Space' will provide at least one picture evidence from the meeting.
5.A Googe Folder titled 'Learners' Feedback' will provide the feedbacks shared by our learners for learning phase 2.
Delivery Month
3
Cost
10000
Progress
50 %
Milestone Title
Learning Phase 3
Milestone Outputs
1.Bi-monthly online progress sessions conducted across the three selected regions.
Host two online progress meetings within the month to track progess of learners.
2.One in person meeting in each of the three regions.
Host one in person meetup at an eatery to serve as a bonding space and also to address any pertaining issue learners may face.
3.Distribution of learning support incentives (souvenirs, data bundles, etc.)
Distribute internet data to learners and souvernirs(T shirt, notepad,pens) to our learners
4.Guest speaker session from active Cardano ecosystem members
Host an online space for learners with Guest speaker from the Cardano ecosystem.
5.A feedback response from learners sharing their views on learning phase 3 experience
Acceptance Criteria
1.Host two online progress meetings within the month to track progess of learners.
A link to the progress meetings and a picture from the session would be taken and presented.
2.Host one in person meetup at an eatery to serve as a bonding space and also to address any pertaining issue learners may face.
A folder containing at least 5 pictures from meetup and at most a one page document report on the meeting would be presented.
3.Distribute internet data to learners and souvernirs(T shirt, notepad,pens) to our learners
A folder containing pictures of distribution of internet data and souvenirs such as pens, T shirt and notepads
4.Host an online space for learners with Guest speaker from the Cardano ecosystem.
A folder containing a link to the meeting session and at least one picture evidence of the ongoing meeing.
5.A feedback response from learners sharing their views on learning phase 1 experience
A google sheet presenting feedbacks from learners sharing their learning expeiences in the learning phase 3.
Evidence of Completion
1.A Google folder tited 'Onine Progress Meetings' will provide the link to those meeting and a picture evidence fom each meeting.
2.A Google folder titled 'In-person Meeting' will contain at least 5 pictures from the meetup and a report summary of the meetup
3.A Google folder title 'Learners Support Package' will contain pictures of confirmed distribution of internet data and souvenirs
4.A Google document titled 'Guest Speaker Space' will provide at least one picture evidence from the meeting.
5.A Googe Folder titled 'Learners' Feedback' will provide the feedbacks shared by our learners for learning phase 3
Delivery Month
4
Cost
10000
Progress
70 %
Milestone Title
Certification & Final Event
Milestone Outputs
1.Completion of Cardano Academy by active participants.
Issuance of Credly completion badges to students who complete the course.
2.Final guest speaker online Space
Host an online space for learners with a Cardano eceosytem member as the Guest Speaker
3.Interested student siting for the Carano Blockchain Certificate Associate Examinations
Ensuring at least 10 interested learners take the CBCA exams.
4.Feedback surveys on overall learning experience.
A feedback response from learners sharing their views on the overall learning experience
Acceptance Criteria
1.Issuance of Credly completion badges to students who complete the course.
A folder showing bagdes of at least 50 students who have successully completely Cardano Academy.
2.Host an online space for learners with a Cardano eceosytem member as the Guest Speaker
A meeting link for the meeting and at least one picture evidence of from the meeting.
3.Ensuring at least 10 interested learners take the CBCA exams.
A picture evidence of at least 10 certificates from students who successfully took the exams
4.A feedback response from learners sharing their views on the overall learning experience
A google sheet presenting feedbacks from learners sharing their learning expeiences so far.
Evidence of Completion
1.A Google Folder titled 'Completion Badges' will provide at leat 50 badges of students who have successfully completed the Cardano Academy.
2.A Google Folder titled 'Guest Speaker Space' containing a link to the meeting and at least one picture from the meeting
3.A Google Folder titled 'CBCA' will provide at leat 10 certificates of students who successfully took the CBCA exams
4.A Googe Folder titled 'Learners' Feedback' will provide the feedbacks shared by our learners in regards to the overall learning experience.
Delivery Month
5
Cost
10000
Progress
90 %
Milestone Title
Final Milestone
Milestone Outputs
Final closeout report
A written report summarizing the overall project will be provided in a google document.
A Video summarizing the overall project will be provided in a google drive and made publicly available.
Acceptance Criteria
1.The Project Closeout Report will be a report that will summarize the whole process from the first milestone to the last and with the end result.
2.The Project Closeout Video will be a video that will summarize the whole process from the first milestone to the last and with the end result.
We will ensure both Closeout Report and Closeout Video comply with Catalyst guidance for final milestones
Evidence of Completion
1.Link to final closeout report
2.Link to final closeout video
Closeout report and closeout video would be publicly shared and made available on Youtube and a google drive
Delivery Month
6
Cost
110000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
TOTAL BUDGET - 55,000 ADA
Milestone 1 – 4,000 ADA
Focus: Student Onboarding
Activities:
Selection & onboarding of 50 students across 3 regions
Creation of WhatsApp learning groups
Wallet setup, onboarding materials, and welcome packages
Virtual orientation & baseline survey
Milestone 2 – 10,000 ADA
Focus: In-Person Meetup 1
Activities:
Venue booking & logistics
Guest speaker session
Monthly data bundle support for students
Transportation stipends
Refreshments/eatery
Mentor compensation & travel/accommodation
Milestone 3 – 10,000 ADA
Focus: In-Person Meetup 2
Activities:
Venue booking & logistics
Guest speaker session
Monthly data bundle support for students
Transportation stipends
Refreshments/eatery
Mentor compensation & travel/accommodation
Milestone 4 – 10,000 ADA
Focus: In-Person Meetup 3
Activities:
Venue booking & logistics
Guest speaker session
Monthly data bundle support for students
Transportation stipends
Refreshments/eatery
Mentor compensation & travel/accommodation
Milestone 5 – 10,000 ADA
Focus: Course Completion & Rewards
Activities:
Final progress tracking
Stipends(including CBCA exam day for at least 10 students)
Distribution of badges/certificates
Reward packages for top learners
Endline survey and learning assessment
Milestone 6 – 11,000 ADA
Focus: Close-Out Reporting & Dissemination
Activities:
Final financial and narrative report
Stakeholder debrief session
Public dissemination via community channels, YouTube
Video documentation & photography
**Contigency Funds (**Reserved for currency fluctuations, emergency logistics, or unforeseen costs).
(Based on the Cardano milestone guidelines)
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
This project delivers measurable, long-term impact for the Cardano ecosystem. Unlike one-off awareness events, Cardano & Cho sustains engagement over 3 months, with structured learning, mentor support, and cultural relevance (“Cho” = food) proven to keep learners motivated. The integration of exam support ensures students don’t just learn, but also gain globally recognized credentials to actively contribute to Cardano’s growth.
Some benefits include
Retention & Talent Pipeline: Transforms awareness-stage learners into certified blockchain users and contributors, directly addressing the drop-off common in onboarding programs.
Regional Community Growth: Establishes 3 active Cardano micro-hubs in Accra, Cape Coast, and Sunyani, led by trained local mentors who can sustain activities beyond the project.
Diversity & Inclusion: Opens blockchain career opportunities to low-income students by covering internet, transport, and basic learning needs.
Replication Potential: Provides a low-cost, community-first model that can be scaled to other African and emerging markets where retention is a challenge.
Direct Ecosystem Contribution: Produces certified individuals ready to become SPOs, dReps, developers, or community educators, enriching the Cardano ecosystem’s human capital.
Terms and Conditions:
Yes
Ekow Harding - the Lead Proposer and Project Manager. Funded Proposer in Fund 13. We have submitted our final milestone Proof of Achievement which has been approved by both reviwers, and currently waiting for final signoff by the Catalyst Team.
Attained the CBCA Learn Badge issued by Cardano Foundation(find evidence here).
Funded Co - Proposer in Fund10. We have successfully completed project and closed out the project.
Moderator for Cardano Governance Workshop held in Accra, Ghana in August 2024. Community Reviewer for Fund 8 to Fund13. Contact: Telegram, instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X
Richmond Sabah- Accountant. Active member of Cardano Ecosystem; CA for Fund 7, 8; PA for Fund 9: Iv 0 reviewer for Fund 10,11,12 and challenge team member. Hence, has knowledge in catalyst proposal planning and executions. Presenter and media platform cordination role. Contact:
richmondsabah09@gmail.com, telegram https://t.me/Kofi0_0; twitter/x @sabah_kofi
Support Team (3) - Logistics, coordination, check-ins, media
Local Mentors (3) - Facilitate learning groups in Accra, Sunyani & Cape Coast