Last updated a month ago
Ghanaian universities are teeming with curious, tech-savvy individuals. Many of them, however, have little to no knowledge about Cardano and blockchain technology.
We will promote Cardano and ADA across Ghanaian universities with branded souvenirs featuring scannable dynamic QR codes linking to official Cardano resources, paired with campus interactive demos
Please provide your proposal title
KNOW CARDANO: A Campus Campaign
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
55000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
8
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Ghanaian universities are teeming with curious, tech-savvy individuals. Many of them, however, have little to no knowledge about Cardano and blockchain technology.
Supporting links
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
Yes
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
The project will use Bitly, a third-party link management and tracking service, to generate and monitor QR code scans. We have the necessary account and permissions to use the platform for this purpose. The only potential risk is tied to the availability of Bitly’s service, which is minimal given its established reliability. Other prerequisites include obtaining university access approval and ensuring timely delivery of branded souvenirs from vendors.
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
No
License and Additional Information
This project is not open source, as it focuses on non-technical community engagement (campus talks and physical souvenirs). However, all outputs—including event reports, QR analytics, and souvenir designs—will be published openly on platforms like GitHub, Pinterest or the Cardano Forum. This ensures full transparency and allows others to replicate the model.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Community Outreach
Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano.
We are targeting young, tech-savvy Ghanaian university students (mostly between 18–26 years). Using door-to-door outreach in hostels, engagements in cafeterias, campus streets, and major events like hall week celebrations, we’ll spark curiosity on Cardano and its amazing ecosystem of opportunities.
This will enable grassroot brand penetration and create a culture of familiarity ensuring Cardano becomes the next go-to blockchain brand as these students enter the workforce and entrepreneurship. Also, this is a scalable campaign that can be replicated across other African markets
Provide a list of key activities of your project?
What are your success metrics?
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
Proposed Solution
We propose a dynamic, student-led awareness campaign across Ghanaian universities designed to educate, engage, and excite students about the Cardano blockchain. This initiative will leverage co-branded souvenirs, interactive in-person outreach, and QR code technology to introduce thousands of students to the Cardano ecosystem in a memorable and measurable way.
Our campaign specifically targets university students—an ideal demographic of literate, tech-savvy, mobile-first young individuals who are future developers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and professionals. By reaching them early, we plant the seeds for future adoption, innovation, and advocacy within the Cardano ecosystem. Educating this demographic fosters organic community growth, encourages grassroots adoption of ADA, and lays the foundation for the local development of decentralized applications (dApps) and blockchain-based solutions on Cardano.
We plan to launch our campaign at two of Ghana’s largest and most influential universities. These campuses are home to thousands of students from across the country and beyond, making them powerful hubs for information diffusion. Our presence on these campuses ensures that the Cardano message will spread beyond just the initial outreach—into broader student networks, social media, and even future workplaces.
Tactical Execution
We will design and distribute high-quality, Cardano-branded souvenirs such as t-shirts, notebooks, pens, lanyards, and water bottles. These items will feature scannable dynamic QR codes that link directly to official Cardano resources, including:
Cardano.org: for learning about the blockchain and its mission.
Project Catalyst: for discovering funding and innovation opportunities.
Ecosystem dApps and staking tools: for engaging with Cardano DeFi, NFT, and governance platforms.
Cardano wallet platforms like Yoroi, Lace, Vespr or Eternl to onboard students to ADA safely.
These QR codes will allow recipients—and anyone who sees the souvenirs—to instantly access relevant Cardano content with just a scan, increasing both reach and convenience.
Ambassadors and Outreach Model
We will recruit and train a team of 50 student ambassadors—25 from each university—who will work alongside us during the campaign. These ambassadors will be trained in the basics of Cardano, including how to set up a wallet, how ADA works, and how students can participate in the Cardano ecosystem.
Our engagement strategy is deliberately grassroots and immersive. Ambassadors will interact with students in various campus hotspots: dormitories, lecture halls, cafeterias, campus streets, and during high-traffic university events like Hall Week and SRC Week celebrations, where foot traffic can number in the thousands. These events provide a prime opportunity to make Cardano highly visible in a vibrant social atmosphere.
During these interactions, students will receive:
A short, engaging talk about what Cardano is and what makes it unique.
A demo on how to download and set up a Cardano wallet (e.g., Lace, Eternl).
Insights into how they can stake ADA and earn passive rewards, participate in on-chain governance, and vote on Project Catalyst proposals.
A free Cardano-branded souvenir as a parting gift.
These conversations will emphasize not just theoretical learning but real, actionable participation in the Cardano blockchain. Students will leave with not only merchandise but also the means and motivation to get involved.
Lasting Impact and Organic Visibility
One of the most powerful aspects of our approach is its built-in sustainability. Even after the formal campaign ends, awareness continues. The branded merchandise will become moving billboards—worn on campus, posted online, and seen in public. As other students notice the branded items, they can scan the QR codes themselves and discover Cardano on their own.
In this way, the recipients of the souvenirs become passive ambassadors of the Cardano brand, helping to extend the reach of the campaign far beyond the initial touchpoints.
Moreover, the use of trackable QR codes allows us to monitor engagement levels across campuses. This data will be analyzed and reported transparently to assess the campaign’s effectiveness and guide future iterations.
Cardano-Specific Value Proposition
By introducing students to the Cardano ecosystem, this campaign connects them to a broader world of opportunity, including:
Staking ADA for rewards: Earn passive income by participating in Cardano’s proof-of-stake mechanism.
Voting on proposals through Project Catalyst: Influence how community funds are allocated.
Building or contributing to dApps: Leverage their education and ideas to create real-world decentralized solutions.
Submitting Proposals to Project Catalyst
Using ADA for global transactions: Students can explore ADA as a payment method for both local and international use cases.
Joining Cardano communities and hackathons: Plug into a global network of developers, creatives, and builders.
This campaign doesn't just inform—it equips students to actively engage with Cardano, whether as users, stakeholders, or creators.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
Development of a local ecosystem: Engaging students can inspire them to build projects,dApps, or grow their startups on the Cardano blockchain, fostering a thriving developer and innovator ecosystem in West Africa.
Brand awareness and trust: Using official branded souvenirs and direct education combats misinformation and builds trust in Cardano’s credibility since scanning the QR codes leads the individuals to the official Cardano site.
Increased adoption and usage of ADA: Introducing students to the ADA currency can encourage them to adopt the currency more easily for their day-to-day buying and selling for both local and international transactions.
Long-term community growth: University students are future professionals and leaders. Early exposure to Cardano creates a generation of educated advocates who can drive long-term growth and contribution to the ecosystem.
Measuring Impact:
The impact of our Cardano project will be best shown in the reports showing how much students' knowledge in Cardano and blockchains have grown through the pre and post event surveys. Also, by tracking how many people have scanned the QR codes and social media engagements, we get to be aware of how people are interacting with the project, post engagement.
The output and opportunities that result from the project will be shared on the various social media (Youtube, Tiktok, Instagram, etc), and the Cardano Forum
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?
I bring strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills developed through both academic and extracurricular engagements. I have successfully led and participated in multiple community outreach projects across Ghana—including medical and evangelical missions—where effective planning, coordination, and stakeholder engagement were crucial. My role as an Academic Board Member and later as Financial Secretary of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Students Association (ELEESA-KNUST) has equipped me with experience in developing structured training materials, managing teams, managing funds, and ensuring transparency in execution of projects with strict adherence to budgets.
In addition, I possess a solid understanding of blockchain technology and have been actively following the Cardano ecosystem for over two years. This gives me the insight to communicate Cardano’s value clearly and confidently to our target audience.
My co-proposer, Gaddo Adam Seidu has a background in engineering, data analysis, and technology integration that enables him to design and execute campaigns that are both impactful and measurable. He has hands-on experience in managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives — from concept development to execution — ensuring that timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met. His experience includes leading a project with the Kumasi City Incubation Hub focused on promoting women-owned businesses, where he successfully managed branding, merchandise creation, and promotional campaigns that combined cultural relevance with strong market appeal. This background equips him to deliver creative outputs that not only attract attention but also drive engagement and adoption.
Susu Boni, another co-proposer, has great oral and written communication skills as well as data analytics, report writing, content creation and presentation skills. She acquired these skills from courses and projects done in SQL, Canva and Microsoft Office Suite, and from her time as Editorial Board member in ELEESA. Fluent in two Ghanaian languages in addition to English and French, Susu also brings on board her diverse soft skills acquired from working and volunteering in northern and southern Ghana, as well as in France.
The feasibility of our approach is reinforced by my involvement in a similar outreach campaign organized by ALX Africa on the KNUST campus about a year ago. In that initiative, we engaged hundreds of students through coordinated campus activities, branding, and digital sign-up campaigns. The campaign achieved significant visibility and student participation, with clear metrics to measure impact. This experience has given me first-hand knowledge of what it takes to execute a large-scale, student-focused awareness campaign effectively. It also confirmed the strong appetite among students for engaging, tech-driven outreach—making our current Cardano campaign both realistic and highly likely to succeed.
Milestone Title
QR Code Design & Testing
Milestone Outputs
Creation of dynamic QR codes that link directly to official Cardano educational pages, wallet onboarding guides, and other curated resources. Codes will be designed to be easily scannable on various devices, with high-resolution formats suitable for both print and digital use. Testing will ensure that QR codes work under real-world conditions and can be integrated seamlessly into marketing materials
Acceptance Criteria
All QR codes must function across major mobile platforms (iOS, Android) and link accurately to the intended Cardano resources without error. Codes should be visually aligned with Cardano’s brand guidelines, and analytics must be enabled for tracking scan data. Approval from the project team and community testers will confirm readiness for production.
Evidence of Completion
High-resolution images/screenshots of QR codes along with confirmation messages or screenshots from Cardano community members who have tested and verified them. Analytics dashboard showing initial test scan results will also be shared as proof of successful design and functionality.
Delivery Month
1
Cost
5500
Progress
10 %
Milestone Title
Finalization & Production of Marketing Materials
Milestone Outputs
Production of over 1,000 Cardano-branded promotional items such as T-shirts, lanyards, tote bags, notebooks, water bottles, etc. each embedded with a functional QR code. The designs will incorporate approved QR code placements to ensure maximum visibility and usability. Materials will be manufactured to high quality standards, ensuring durability and professional appeal to maximize brand recognition and student engagement.
Acceptance Criteria
All souvenirs produced must match the final approved designs, with QR codes functioning correctly and positioned for easy scanning. Quality checks will be conducted to ensure items are durable and visually appealing. The final quantity must meet or exceed 1,000 items, and production timelines must align with the outreach schedule to ensure timely distribution.
Evidence of Completion
Photographs of all merchandise types, close-up images showing QR codes on each item, and verification scans performed on a sample set of items. Delivery receipts from production vendors and an inventory list will be provided to confirm quantities and readiness for distribution.
Delivery Month
3
Cost
20000
Progress
30 %
Milestone Title
Recruitment & Training of Student Ambassadors
Milestone Outputs
Selection and online training of 50 student ambassadors from two participating universities. The sessions will be delivered via video conferencing platforms and accompanied by digital training materials. Ambassadors will learn essential skills to become effective Cardano advocates, including: staking ADA for rewards, voting on proposals through Project Catalyst, building or contributing to decentralized applications (dApps), using ADA for global and local transactions, and joining Cardano communities and hackathons. They will also receive guidance on peer-to-peer outreach strategies, and QR code engagement.
Acceptance Criteria
All ambassadors must complete the full online training program, actively participate in discussions, and demonstrate knowledge of the training topics through Q&A and short online assessments. Ambassadors should be able to explain Cardano’s staking and voting systems, showcase dApp opportunities, guide peers in using ADA for transactions, and encourage participation in community events. Attendance logs and quiz scores will confirm readiness.
Evidence of Completion
Attendance records from the online meeting platform, digital copies of presentations and learning materials, and screenshots from the live training sessions. Assessment results and a compiled list of trained ambassadors, including their contact information, will be included as proof of readiness for campus outreach activities.
Delivery Month
4
Cost
7500
Progress
50 %
Milestone Title
Campus Outreach & Engagement Execution
Milestone Outputs
Execution of the on-campus activation campaign involving booth setups, hostel visits, and hall engagements at two universities. A minimum of 1,000 students will be directly engaged, introduced to Cardano, and guided through QR code scanning. Activities will also include wallet creation demonstrations, distribution of merchandise, and interactive Q&A sessions to deepen understanding.
Acceptance Criteria
A minimum of 1,000 students must participate in outreach activities, with a measurable increase in Cardano awareness as indicated by pre/post surveys. At least 500 QR code scans should be recorded during the campaign. Outreach must cover multiple campus locations, ensuring diverse student participation. Engagement quality will be assessed through student feedback.
Evidence of Completion
Detailed outreach report including the number of locations visited, student attendance figures, QR scan analytics, and wallet creation counts. Event photographs, videos, and student testimonials will also be provided. A summary of survey results will be included to demonstrate increased Cardano knowledge post-engagement.
Delivery Month
7
Cost
15000
Progress
80 %
Milestone Title
Final Report & Impact Review
Milestone Outputs
Compilation of a comprehensive final report documenting all project phases from planning to execution. The report will include detailed outreach metrics, survey findings, photographic evidence, budget utilization, and lessons learned. Recommendations for future university outreach initiatives will also be included to guide potential project replication.
Acceptance Criteria
The final report must cover all milestones, include accurate and verifiable data, and demonstrate how the project met its objectives within the allocated budget. It should include both qualitative and quantitative evidence of impact, such as student testimonials, before/after knowledge comparisons, and engagement statistics.
Evidence of Completion
Submission of the final written report to the Cardano community, accompanied by a digital repository containing photographs, videos, QR code analytics, and survey results. Public sharing of the report in Catalyst channels or Cardano community forums will serve as proof of completion and transparency.
Delivery Month
8
Cost
7000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Proposed Budget Breakdown (Total: 55,000 ADA)
1. Merchandise Design & Branding – 2,500 ADA
Description: QR code generation, branding templates, graphic design for all items.
Justification: Professional, high-impact visuals to improve appeal and brand recognition.
2. Merchandise Production – 20,000 ADA
Description: 1,000+ items: t-shirts, lanyards, stickers, notebooks, water bottles, etc.
Justification: Main campaign materials—used as incentives and passive awareness tools.
3. Dynamic QR Platform & Web Tools – 3,000 ADA
Description: Subscription to a dynamic QR code service with analytics + hosting costs.
Justification: Track scan data, allow flexible redirects to official resources.
4. Ambassador Program – 7,500 ADA
Description: Recruitment, training sessions, branded shirts and allowances for 50+ ambassadors.
Justification: Builds sustainability through peer-led outreach and follow-up.
5. Travel & Logistics – 4,000 ADA
Description: Transportation of the team and materials to campuses (multiple visits).
Justification: Supports mobility, effective coordination, and timely implementation.
6. Campus Activation & Events – 5,000 ADA
Description: Booth rentals, audio equipment, flyers, pop-up stands, and demo tools.
Justification: Enables direct interaction at high-traffic campus events (SRC/Hall Weeks, etc.).
7. Media Production & Coverage – 3,000 ADA
Description: Photography, videography, video editing, social media ads, content creation.
Justification: Provides transparency and builds online reach beyond the campuses.
8. Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting – 3,000 ADA
Description: Surveys, interviews, final reports, dashboards.
Justification: Helps measure real impact, learn, and adapt the model for future use.
9. Communications & Coordination – 3,000 ADA
Description: Airtime, internet, admin software, campus permits, stakeholder engagement.
Justification: Enables efficient team communication and university compliance.
10. Project Management – 3,000 ADA
Description: Oversight of planning, coordination, reporting, and execution of campaign activities.
Justification: Ensures efficient delivery, accountability, and smooth operation of the project across both campuses.
11. Miscellaneous & Contingency – 1,000 ADA
Description: Unforeseen costs, inflation buffer, emergency expenses.
Justification: Keeps project on track despite minor budget shifts or unexpected needs.
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
The proposed budget of 55,000 ADA represents an efficient and strategic investment into one of the highest-yield demographics for blockchain adoption—Ghanaian university students. Ghana’s tertiary institutions collectively host over 500,000 students annually, with many campuses acting as cultural and technological hubs for young people across the country and beyond. The density and interconnectedness of this environment mean that outreach efforts here can achieve disproportionately high returns in awareness, adoption, and network growth for the Cardano ecosystem.
Every cost item in our budget is directly tied to measurable outputs: from wallet sign-ups and QR code scans to social media engagement and community membership growth. The souvenir production (20,000 ADA)—our largest cost category—provides more than just physical items; each piece becomes a mobile, long-term awareness tool embedded with dynamic QR codes linking directly to official Cardano resources. These QR codes remain functional long after distribution, ensuring the investment continues generating engagement for months or even years after the campaign ends.
Our outreach model is designed to tap into what we call the “curiosity multiplier.” University campuses are highly social ecosystems where novel, visually appealing, and conversation-worthy items spread quickly. A single student wearing a culturally resonant Cardano-branded shirt with a unique QR code can spark discussions, group scans, and subsequent sharing on social media. This organic peer-to-peer spread greatly amplifies our reach without increasing costs.
From a financial perspective, our budget aligns well with local market conditions. The allowances for ambassador training and event execution are benchmarked against the average daily rates for skilled student engagement in Ghana, which typically range from 100–150 GHS (~7–10 USD) per day—meaning our stipends are competitive yet cost-effective.
The campaign is also highly scalable. Once the design templates, QR landing pages, and outreach playbook are established, replication across other African universities will require minimal additional setup, allowing Cardano to extend its footprint at reduced future costs.
In short, this proposal transforms a moderate one-time investment into a sustained, measurable presence within one of Africa’s most influential young-adult populations, generating wallet onboarding, community growth, and a strong cultural association with ADA—all at a cost per engagement far below typical industry outreach campaigns.
Terms and Conditions:
Yes
Paa Kojo Effah Annan-Project Lead & Strategic Partnerships (https://kojoeannan.me)
Oversees the overall vision, planning, and execution of the campaign.
Coordinates timelines, budgets, and deliverables across all stages.
Leads outreach to Cardano, sponsors, and institutional partners.
Manages key relationships with universities, event organizers, and vendors.
Recruitment of campus influencers, and student helpers.
Adam Gaddo Seidu-Creative Director & Souvenirs Production Lead (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-gaddo-seidu-9a0947209/)
Designs the custom QR codes blending the Cardano logo with Ghanaian cultural prints.
Works closely with printers, designers, and suppliers to ensure quality and timely delivery.
Oversees production of all souvenirs, including shirts, bottles, notebooks, and promotional materials
Ensures brand consistency and visual appeal across all campaign assets.
Susu Boni-Community Engagement & Digital Campaign Manager (https://www.linkedin.com/in/susu-boni-875122227/)
Leads campus activation efforts, including booth setup and live event interactions.
Tracks engagement metrics (QR scans, wallet sign-ups, social media reach) and prepares progress reports.
Coordinates the distribution of souvenirs and digital follow-up with participants.
Manages social media strategy