[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

Cardano and Web3 Onboarding Program in the DRC

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

47300

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

12

[Proposal Summary] Translation Information

Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated

No

Original Language

en

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

Most students in Goma (DRC) lack awareness of blockchain and its opportunities. Cardano can support their onboarding through our existing education program

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://x.com/gomadrep
,
• https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KWmiRnXs9SqX3PazuNUHQLqdmofRTBZZ
,
• https://gomapool.com/

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

No dependencies

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

Everything here will be made public and accessible by the community.

[Theme Selection] Theme

Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal

Training

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano.

Our project targets youth in Goma (DRC), a community full of potential but with limited access to blockchain knowledge. As an active Cardano Hub, DRep, and Stakepool, we aim to educate and onboard young people to Web3, blockchain, Cardano, and decentralized governance. Through hands-on learning, local content, and community support, we’re empowering the next generation to engage meaningfully in the ecosystem and shape its future.

Provide a list of key activities of your project?

Here are the key activities:

• Finalize website prototype.
• Public Outreach & Marketing
• Recruitment & Onboarding
• Training delivery and Facilitation
• Assessment & Feedback
• Program Evaluation
• Reporting

What are your success metrics?

Success Metrics:

• 1 functional website launched with clear program details and enrollment process
• Minimum 275 students onboarded (25 per cohort x 11 months)
• 80%+ participant retention rate across cohorts
• At least 70% of participants complete assessments successfully
• Monthly training sessions delivered on schedule (11 total)
• 90% of participants report satisfaction in feedback surveys
• 20+ social media posts published across X, Facebook, LinkedIn
• Final report submitted to Catalyst with measurable impact data

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Addressing Africa's Youth Potential in the Digital Economy:

• Demographic Opportunity: By 2050, Africa's population will double, with half under 25 (AFD). This presents a unique opportunity to empower young people with the skills they need to thrive in the digital economy.
• Youth Unemployment Challenge: World Bank data reveals that 60% of Africa's unemployed are young, and most existing jobs are informal (report ILO, 2018). Equipping them with in-demand skills is crucial.
• DRC's Young Workforce: The Democratic Republic of Congo boasts the world's 7th youngest population (UN). Our program targets this demographic to cultivate future blockchain entrepreneurs and architects.

Empowering Future Leaders in Blockchain:`

Meeting a Skill Gap: Blockchain was ranked the #1 in-demand hard skill in 2020. Our program addresses this gap by providing comprehensive training in:

• Blockchain Fundamentals
• Cardano Blockchain
• Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
• Project Catalyst, including proposal writing to transform ideas into real-world solutions.

Designing for Accessibility and Inclusivity:

Democratizing Technology Education: We believe technology education shouldn't be a privilege. Our program offers accessible learning opportunities for all.

Program Structure and Scalability:

Monthly Batches: To maximize participation and accommodate busy schedules, we propose 12 monthly batches with at least 20 participants each.

Dedicated Learning Schedule: Each month will follow a consistent structure:

Weeks 1-2: Registration Open

Week 3: In-Depth Training Sessions (12:00-2:00 PM)

Week 4: Post-Program Evaluation: We will conduct surveys after each batch to gather feedback and continuously improve the program.

Why Monthly Batches?

We've encountered high demand with scheduling conflicts. Monthly batches ensure inclusivity and cater to diverse schedules, ultimately maximizing reach and participation.

This refined version streamlines the information, focusing on the key points for Project Catalyst participants. It emphasizes the opportunity to address Africa's youth unemployment challenge and equip them with in-demand blockchain skills. It also highlights the program's accessibility and scalable structure.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

This Project will have large impact on cardano community in the following ways:

• Ecosystem expansion: 12 batches will be held and gather in total about 270+ students from different universities who can use decentralized financial institutions, become pioneers and entrepreneurs on cardano.
• This project directly strengthens Cardano’s decentralized governance by preparing the next generation of informed participants in Goma (DRC). By educating youth on blockchain, Web3, and Cardano’s governance model including the role of DReps, voting, and treasury funding—we enable them to meaningfully engage in governance processes. Over time, this fosters a more diverse, globally representative community that contributes proposals, votes responsibly, and upholds Cardano’s values of decentralization and inclusion.

Other ways, this proposal will have a positive impact on the lives of More than 300 youth in Congo in the following ways listed below:

• Bring together young people aged between 18-25, to learn blockchain and bring out great ideas such as information on a technology they did not know existed.

• Discuss great ideas that can turn into business and jobs after getting knowledge in Project Catalyst.

• Train young people in marketable skills to boost their chances of escaping poverty.

• Blockchain education will lead to reduction of dependence on government for job after school education.

[Your Project and Solution] Capabilities & 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?

The Goma Hub stands as one of the most consistent and committed community-driven blockchain hubs in the Cardano ecosystem, with a strong track record of activities since 2020. Its deep local roots, technical capacity, and governance engagement make it highly capable of delivering this project successfully.

We have developed and delivered high-impact educational content through our Onboarding Program, which has been running since 2020, producing videos and practical resources on Cardano and Project Catalyst.

In May 2024, we hosted a Catalyst Working Group that brought together local actors and Cardano community members to co-design future participation strategies. In July 2024, Goma Hub was selected to participate in the DRep Pioneer Education Program, reinforcing our role in educating future decentralized representatives.

We also launched and currently host the Intersect Wada Hub in Goma, further aligning our community with the evolution of Cardano governance structures. In August 2024, we hosted anIntersect Local Meetup, strengthening engagement with governance topics at the grassroots level.

Our consistent governance engagement since 2023, with workshops, meetups, training sessions and participation to the Constitutional Convention in Nairobi, ensures our team and local participants are not only informed but actively contributing to decentralized decision-making.

Other Key Capabilities:

• Haskell and Plutus training programs since September 2020
• Active operation of a Cardano stake pool in Goma
• Hosting of Cardano Summits 2021 and 2022
• Participation in Project Catalyst since Fund 8
• A local team of 4 developers and technical professionals
• Practical solutions like ADA-to-local currency conversion
• Ongoing Plutus and Atala Prism project-based learning
• Two projects currently in progress

Look at our Galery and our X

We have the infrastructure, team, community, and long-term experience to scale this new initiative. Our success in hosting governance events and educational programs proves our feasibility and reliability as a local Cardano actor.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Pre-Launch Phase (Month 1)

Milestone Outputs

• Week 1: Website Design and Development: Finalize website showcasing program activities, enrollment information, and FAQs.
• Develop core website functionalities for user interaction (e.g., contact form, enrollment form).
• Week 2-3: Curriculum Development: Finalize the curriculum for the 11-month training program, outlining learning objectives for each cohort.
• Develop training materials like presentations, assignments, and resources for the first cohort.
• Week 4: Testing and Deployment:Test website functionality and user experience.
• Deploy the website and announce the program launch.
• Open and market enrollment for the first cohort.

Acceptance Criteria

A fully functional website is launched showcasing the program's activities, including:

• Clear program overview and objectives
• Detailed course descriptions
• Enrollment instructions and application form
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section
• Contact information for program inquiries
• A comprehensive curriculum for the 11-month training program is finalized.
• A minimum of 5 engaging posts are published on both Twitter and Facebook in addition to phsical ones promoting the program launch.

Evidence of Completion

Evidence of Completion

• Detailed course descriptions: links to the course overview section on the website
• Enrollment instructions and application form: Live link to the enrollment page/form
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section : link to the published FAQ section on the website.
• Contact information for program inquiries : Visible contact section on the website (email, phone, social media)
• Comprehensive 11-month curriculum finalized : Internal planning document showing structure and learning objectives
• Minimum of 5 engaging posts published on Twitter and Facebook + physical promotion : URLs of the 5+ social media posts and photos of flyers/posters at universities or community spaces

Delivery Month

1

Cost

6664

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Training Delivery Phase (Months 2-12)

Milestone Outputs

Monthly Milestones (Months 2-11- can be repeated for each month):

Week 1-2:

Cohort Recruitment and Selection:Review applications and finalize participants for the upcoming cohort.

Onboard new participants with program information and access to the learning platform.

Week 3: Training Delivery

Facilitate interactive learning activities and provide support to participants.

Week 4: Contest and Feedback: Administer assessments to gauge participant understanding of the training content and share.

Collect feedback from participants on the training experience.

Refine training materials and delivery methods based on feedback.

Acceptance Criteria

Week: 1-2 : Cohort Recruitment and Selection

• All received applications are reviewed based on clear, pre-defined selection criteria
• A minimum of 25 participants are selected and confirmed per cohort
• Communication of acceptance and rejection is sent to all applicants
• Participant Onboarding
• All selected participants receive onboarding materials via email or messaging group

Week 3: Training Delivery

• Training sessions are held in-person at ISDR/GL
• All scheduled topics are covered as per the curriculum
• Attendance list shows at least 80% participation from the cohort
• Participant support (Q&A, guidance) is actively provided during the week

Week 4: Contest and Feedback

• A kahoot contest is organized
• Contest results are recorded and analyzed
• A feedback survey is completed by at least 80% of participants
• Feedback insights are used to make documented adjustments to training materials or methods

Evidence of Completion

Week 1–2: Cohort Recruitment and Selection

• Copy of selection criteria document
• Final list of selected participants (minimum 25)
• Lu.ma link shared

Week 3: Training Delivery

• Photos or video clips from in-person training sessions at ISDR/GL
• Training agenda or session plan
• Completed attendance sheet showing at least 80% of the cohort present.
• summary of Q&A/support interactions during training (e.g., chat transcripts, FAQ notes)

Week 4: Contest and Feedback

• Screenshot of the Kahoot contest results
• Spreadsheet or chart summarizing contest performance
• Completed feedback survey exports (e.g., Google Forms)
• Documented list of adjustments made to materials/methods based on feedback (with explanation or rationale)

Delivery Month

11

Cost

37840

Progress

90 %

Milestone Title

Post-Training Phase (Month 12)

Milestone Outputs

Program Evaluation and Reporting:

Analyze data from Contests and participant feedbacks. Prepare a report summarizing program outcomes and participant success, to be share to the Catalyst team and community.

Acceptance Criteria

• All contest results and feedback data are collected and analyzed

• Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as participant success rate, retention, and satisfaction are measured

• A comprehensive final report is prepared, including:

                                -A closeout report video
  
                                -Program overview and outcomes
  
                                -Participant statistics and progress
  
     -Insights from feedback and contest analysis
  

• The report is shared publicly with the Catalyst team and broader community (via Catalyst platform, social media)

Evidence of Completion

All contest results and feedback data collected and analyzed Exported Kahoot contest data (PDF, Excel, screenshots)

• Exported feedback survey results (Google Forms, Typeform, etc.)
• Summary document or slide showing analysis of contest and feedback

KPIs measured (success rate, retention, satisfaction)

• Report showing:

        -Participant completion rate
  
        -Cohort retention rate
  
        -Satisfaction rate (e.g., from feedback survey)
  

Comprehensive final report prepared, including:

• PDF or Google Doc of final written report
• Closeout report video (YouTube link)

Report shared publicly with Catalyst and community

• Link to report
• social media posts sharing the report

Delivery Month

12

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

The total budget requested is 47300 ADA

• Milestone 1 (14.09% Of total budget): 6664.57 ADA
• Milestone 2 (80%): 37840 ADA
• Milestone 3:(00%) Covered in project management: 00ADA
• Misc (2.11%) : 1000 ADA
• Project management (3.8%): 1800 ADA

TOTAL : 47300ADA Conversion rate 0.5

More details in the sheet here.

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?

The costs are based on industry standards, the complexity of tasks, and local market rates, to provide a reasonable budget.

The project team is skilled and experienced with creation of educational content, project management and web designinig, this reflects the costs in the budget.

Contingency Plan: We introduced a miscelous amount of 1000 ADA as It is prudent to allocate a portion of the budget for contingency planning. Unforeseen events, such as changes in requirements, or fluctuation of Ada, delays, or unforeseen challenges, can impact the project's timeline and budget. Having a contingency fund provides a safety net, enabling us to address unexpected circumstances without hindering project progress or compromising quality of the outcomes.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes