[Proposal setup] Proposal title
Please provide your proposal title
Empowering TVET Students with Cardano Skills
[Proposal Summary] Budget Information
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
60000
[Proposal Summary] Time
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
8
[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?
While the majority of Ethiopian youth pursue skills-based TVET education, most Cardano initiatives target universities, leaving these practical learners without access to blockchain tools and benefit.
[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation
Supporting links
[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
This project is open source as all training materials, guides, and examples will be published on GitHub for free reuse and adaptation.
[Theme Selection] Theme
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Education
[Campaign Category] Category Questions
Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano.
- We target Ethiopian youth in skills-based vocational education, who are mostly excluded from blockchain initiatives.
- We will reach them through on-campus seminars, workshops, mentorship, and networking with blockchain professionals.
- This matters for Cardano because it drives grassroots adoption, increases the use of Cardano tokens through wallets, staking, and decentralized applications, and develops a new generation of builders creating real-world, locally relevant blockchain solutions.
Provide a list of key activities of your project?
Key activities include:
- On-campus seminars introducing blockchain and Cardano tools,
- Hands-on workshops for wallets, staking, tokens, and decentralized applications,
- Mentorship for real-world project development,
- Networking events connecting students with blockchain professionals and,
- The train-the-trainer program to equip instructors and students to continue teaching independently.
What are your success metrics?
Success will be measured by the number of students completing training, wallets created, instructors and students trained to continue teaching, and sustained engagement in blockchain events and the Cardano community.
[Your Project and Solution] Solution
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
The proposed solution is a comprehensive blockchain education and empowerment initiative tailored for Ethiopia’s TVET students, youth specializing in practical, skills-based learning, equipping them with real, market-ready Cardano skills to drive adoption in underserved communities and unlock grassroots economic opportunities.
- Hands-On Seminars and Meetups:
Regular on-campus sessions will cover foundational blockchain concepts and Cardano-specific tools, including Smartcontracts, wallet usage (Lace, Nami, Eternal, Yoroi), staking ADA, and earning passive income. These sessions will prioritize applied skills for real-world use cases. TVET students will also learn how to:
- Launch tokens and NFTs.
- Participate in Project Catalyst (proposing and voting)
- Build microservices with Cardano integrations for small businesses.
- Guest Workshops with Industry Professionals:
We’ll invite Cardano ecosystem experts to deliver live, interactive workshops. These will explore entrepreneurial opportunities using Cardano, such as creating small apps, DAOs, or service-based dApps with Plutus, Lucid and Mesh.
- Practical Project Development Support:
Participants will receive mentorship to turn ideas into working blockchain prototypes. They'll learn how to apply for Catalyst funding, use Cardano tools (Node, APIs), and even integrate blockchain into vocational projects (e.g., certificate verification, digital stores, traceability).
- Networking and Employment Pathways:
Events will connect TVET students with blockchain professionals, Catalyst community members, and local businesses to promote collaboration, employment, and entrepreneurship. High-performing students may be connected to freelance opportunities or Cardano projects.
To ensure sustainability, we’ll train selected TVET instructors and students to continue delivering blockchain training independently beyond the funded period.
[Your Project and Solution] Impact
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
This project delivers high-impact value to the Cardano ecosystem by unlocking the untapped potential of Ethiopia’s TVET students, a majority youth population trained in practical, skills-based education but largely excluded from blockchain initiatives to date.
By focusing on this overlooked demographic, the project:
- Expands Cardano’s Reach into Underserved Communities: It introduces thousands of skilled, entrepreneurial young people to the Cardano ecosystem, driving grassroots adoption in a region where blockchain can offer meaningful change.
- Boosts ADA Utility and Network Activity: Through wallet onboarding, staking, dApp interaction, and Catalyst participation, this project directly increases ADA usage, network transactions, and community engagement, strengthening the economic and technical foundations of the network.
- Grows a New Generation of Builders and Proposers: By equipping TVET students with hands-on training in Cardano tools like Plutus, Lucid, Marlowe, and Mesh, the initiative nurtures a new wave of developers, innovators, and Catalyst proposers who will create locally relevant solutions, dApps, NFTs, DAOs, and more.
- Develop Innovation and Real-World Use Cases: With structured mentorship and project development support, students will launch real applications that demonstrate Cardano’s utility in fields like agriculture, computer science, identity verification, education, and small business infrastructure.
- Builds a Sustainable, Decentralized Community: Through workshops, meetups, and a train-the-trainer model, the initiative lays the groundwork for a self-sustaining Cardano community within Ethiopia’s TVET institutions. This expands the global developer and user base, strengthens decentralization, and ensures long-term ecosystem resilience.
[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?
Our team combines technical experience, educational expertise, and direct community involvement, positioning us to deliver this project with a high degree of trust, transparency, and impact.
Capability to Deliver:
- Track Record in Cardano Catalyst: Our team includes funded Catalyst proposers and active community members who understand the governance, technical, and communication standards expected in Catalyst projects. We have successfully delivered prior proposals and contributed to ecosystem growth.
- Local Expertise & Educational Reach: We work closely with TVET institutions in Ethiopia and have experience designing and delivering training programs to students and professionals. Our familiarity with the Ethiopian educational system allows us to navigate local logistics, secure institutional cooperation, and engage students effectively.
- Blockchain & Developer Experience: Our technical team has hands-on experience with Plutus, Lucid, Marlowe, Mesh, and other key Cardano tools. We’re capable of delivering both beginner-friendly and advanced blockchain education, from wallet use to dApp development.
- Transparent Reporting & Communication: We will provide regular updates on progress, participant metrics, feedback, and milestones through Catalyst channels, GitHub, social media, and monthly reports. All training materials and open-source tools will be published publicly.
Feasibility Validation:
To ensure the feasibility and effectiveness of our approach, we will:
- Pilot the program in one or two selected TVET institutions with a small cohort.
- Collect detailed feedback from students and instructors on content relevance, delivery style, and learning outcomes
- Iterate on the curriculum and delivery format based on the pilot results
- Track long-term engagement, including students who continue learning, contributing, or proposing in future Catalyst funds
[Milestones] Project Milestones
Milestone Title
Project Kickoff and Curriculum Development
Milestone Outputs
- Design localized, skills-based curriculum covering blockchain fundamentals and Cardano-specific topics.
- Develop educational materials, case studies, and hands-on exercises.
- Prepare content for meetups, seminars, and advanced workshops.
- Review and refine curriculum with input from Cardano ecosystem experts and local educators.
Acceptance Criteria
- A localized, skills-based curriculum covering blockchain fundamentals and Cardano-specific tools is completed.
- Educational materials, case studies, and hands-on exercises are ready for use.
- Content for meetups, seminars, and workshops is prepared.
- Curriculum has been reviewed and refined with feedback from Cardano ecosystem experts and local educators.
Evidence of Completion
- Completed curriculum documents and lesson plans.
- Compiled educational materials, exercises, and case studies.
- Workshop and seminar content files ready for presentation.
- Documentation of expert feedback and revisions applied to the curriculum.
Delivery Month
1
Cost
15000
Progress
30 %
Milestone Title
Awareness Meetups & Basic Courses
Milestone Outputs
- Conduct on-campus meetups and seminars introducing blockchain basics and Cardano’s role.
- Deliver beginner courses covering:
- Wallet creation (Nami, Eternal, Yoroi, Daedalus)
- ADA staking and delegation
- Basics of Haskell for blockchain
- Introduction to becoming a Stake Pool Operator (SPO)
- Provide interactive Q&A sessions and practical wallet/staking exercises.
Acceptance Criteria
- On-campus meetups and seminars have been successfully conducted.
- Beginner courses covering wallet creation, Cardano token staking, Haskell basics, and Stake Pool Operator introduction are delivered.
- Interactive Q&A sessions and hands-on wallet exercises are completed.
- Participants demonstrate understanding of blockchain basics and Cardano tools.
Evidence of Completion
- Attendance sheets or registration records from meetups and courses.
- Copies of training materials, slides, and exercise guides.
- Photos or recordings of sessions and Q&A activities.
- Participant feedback forms showing engagement and learning outcomes.
Delivery Month
3
Cost
15000
Progress
60 %
Milestone Title
Advanced Workshops & Hands-On Development
Milestone Outputs
- Plutus smart contract development.
- Lucid & Mesh frameworks.
- Token creation, NFTs, and DAOs.
- Integration of Cardano with websites and enterprise systems.
- Facilitate real-world coding tutorials and project-building sessions.
- Train selected instructors and students to deliver workshops independently.
- Host guest workshops with Cardano developers, SPOs, and industry leaders.
Acceptance Criteria
- Advanced workshops covering Plutus smart contracts, Lucid and Mesh frameworks, token creation, NFTs, and DAOs are delivered.
- Cardano integration with websites and enterprise systems is demonstrated through hands-on sessions.
- Real-world coding tutorials completed.
- Train-the-Trainer sessions completed.
- Guest workshops with Cardano developers, and industry leaders are conducted.
Evidence of Completion
- Attendance image or records from advanced workshops and guest sessions.
- Copies of training materials, slides, and coding exercises.
- Feedback forms from participants and guest instructors.
Delivery Month
6
Cost
20000
Progress
90 %
Milestone Title
Project Evaluation and Showcase
Milestone Outputs
- Monitor and evaluate training effectiveness and student skill growth.
- Gather participant feedback.
- Prepare a comprehensive project report detailing activities, outcomes, and lessons learned.
- Share results through online platforms, and Catalyst updates.
- Work with Cardano developers to design a long-term sustainability plan and share lessons learned to support continued blockchain training in TVET institutions.
Acceptance Criteria
- Participant feedback is collected and analyzed.
- A comprehensive project report detailing activities, outcomes, and lessons learned is prepared.
- Results are shared through online platforms.
- A long-term sustainability plan for continuing blockchain education in TVET institutions is developed in collaboration with Cardano developers, ensuring ongoing program adoption and impact
Evidence of Completion
- Compiled participant feedback forms and analysis summaries.
- Final project report document with activities, results, and lessons learned.
- Online posts, updates, or links showing shared results.
- Documented sustainability plan and Train-the-Trainer program materials.
Delivery Month
8
Cost
10000
Progress
100 %
[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Milestone 1 - Project Kickoff and Curriculum Development: 15,000 ADA
This budget covers:
- Identifying and engaging TVET directors, instructors, and student leaders (2,500 ADA), developing localized, skills-based curriculum on blockchain fundamentals and Cardano-specific topics (5,000 ADA), producing educational materials such as case studies, printed guides, and interactive exercises (3,000 ADA), preparing content for meetups, seminars, and advanced workshops (2,000 ADA), and reviewing and refining materials with feedback from Cardano experts and local educators to ensure cultural and industry relevance (2,500 ADA).
Milestone 2 - Awareness Meetups & Basic Courses: 15,000 ADA
This budget covers:
- Venue rental and logistics ( 2,000 ADA), instructor fees for delivering all sessions (3,500 ADA), training materials (1250 ADA), promotional outreach (1,500 ADA), hands-on practice resources (1,500 ADA), travel and accommodation (1,000 ADA), event coordination (1250 ADA), contingency for unexpected costs (1,500 ADA), and post-event follow-up activities (1,500 ADA).
Milestone 3 - Advanced Workshops & Hands-On Development: 20,000 ADA
This budget covers:
- Venue and logistics for advanced workshops (3,000 ADA), instructor fees for delivering in-depth training on Plutus, Lucid, Mesh, token creation, NFTs, DAOs, and system integration (5,000 ADA), specialized training materials and code resources (1,500 ADA), promotional outreach to attract developers and professionals (2,000 ADA), hands-on practice environments and project support (2,500 ADA), travel and accommodation for instructors and guest speakers (2,000 ADA), event coordination and technical support (1,000 ADA), contingency for unforeseen expenses (1,500 ADA), and follow-up mentorship or project guidance sessions (1,500 ADA).
Milestone 4 - Project Evaluation and Showcase: 10,000 ADA
This budget covers:
- Monitoring and evaluation of training outcomes and student progress (2,500 ADA), participant feedback collection and analysis (1,000 ADA), preparation of a comprehensive final report detailing activities, results, and lessons learned (2,000 ADA), sharing outcomes via online platforms and Catalyst updates (1,000 ADA), collaboration with Cardano developers to design a sustainability plan (2,000 ADA), and development of Train-the-Trainer programs for TVET instructors (1,500 ADA).
Total Budget:- 60,000 ADA
[Final Pitch] Value for Money
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
The cost of this project represents excellent value for the Cardano ecosystem by delivering measurable, long-term benefits in education, adoption, innovation, and network participation.
1. Catalyzing Local Development and Innovation:
By enabling Ethiopian developers and entrepreneurs to gain the skills needed to create high-quality dApps and blockchain solutions, the project attracts talent, investment, and real-world applications to the Cardano ecosystem.
2. Education and Skill Development:
The investment directly funds comprehensive, localized blockchain education, from beginner wallet setup and ADA staking to advanced Plutus, Lucid, and Mesh development. By equipping students, educators, and professionals with the skills to build on Cardano, the project strengthens the global developer pipeline and ensures a self-sustaining, skilled workforce.
3. Adoption and Awareness in an Untapped Market:
Delivering content and training in Amharic enables Cardano to reach millions of Ethiopians and other Amharic speakers who currently lack accessible blockchain education. This approach drives grassroots adoption in a large, underrepresented market, positioning Cardano as the platform of choice in the region.
4. Network Expansion and Real-World Participation:
By organizing meetups, seminars, and hands-on workshops, the project connects learners with SPOs, Cardano developers, and industry leaders. Introducing participants to practical use cases, staking, DeFi, NFTs, DAOs, directly increases the number of active network participants, contributing to decentralization and security.
5. Long-Term Educational Impact:
The created curriculum, case studies, and training materials and training the trainer program will remain available for ongoing use, enabling continuous learning long after the funding period ends. This ensures that the initial investment delivers a high return in ecosystem impact.
[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation
Terms and Conditions:
Yes