PrivateProof: Anonymous Attendance Verifier

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

PrivateProof: Anonymous Attendance Verifier

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

32000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

6

[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?

Funded Cardano projects lack a privacy-preserving way to verify event attendance, making it hard to ensure a genuine participation without revealing identities.

[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?

No

License and Additional Information

Project outputs will be fully open source, we intend to make the code available throughout the entire lifecycle of the project with a declared open-source repository. We will use the MIT License for our open-source code, providing users with the freedom to modify and distribute the software while ensuring proper attribution and disclaimer of liability. Additionally, we commit to maintaining transparency and accessibility to our project's source code to foster collaboration and contribution.

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

Identity & Verification

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously funded (whether by you or others).

• First privacy-preserving attendance verification system for funded Cardano project events.
• Combines Decentralized IDs (DID) and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) for anonymous but verifiable participation.
• Supports both blockchain-savvy and non-blockchain participants, lowering onboarding barriers.
• Provides genuine participation metrics without exposing personal data.
• Double verification prevention

Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.

Demonstrates privacy-preserving, verifiable attendance for Cardano-funded events using DID + ZKP.

Participants receive unique anonymous credentials; organizers can verify attendance without accessing personal data.

Prevents double verification by marking credentials as used in a privacy-preserving way.

Accessible via a web app on Cardano testnet.

Community can pilot test at Catalyst-funded events, generating and verifying proofs while giving feedback on usability.

Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.

Pilot adoption: At least 100 participants generate anonymous proofs in initial Catalyst-funded events.

Verifications: Each proof corresponds to a single smart contract call on Cardano testnet, preventing double verification.

Transactions: Expect 100–200 total transactions per event (proof issuance + verification).

On-chain metrics: Track total unique proofs, verification success rate, and failed/double verification attempts.

Success criteria:

≥90% successful verifications per event.

No double-verifications accepted.

Positive participant feedback on usability and privacy.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Our solution provides a privacy-preserving, verifiable attendance system for funded Cardano project events, leveraging Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) to ensure genuine participation while protecting participant privacy.

Key Components

1. Participant Credential Issuance

• When participants register for an event or survey, the system issues a unique, anonymous credential tied to that specific event.
• Credentials are generated using DIDs, so identities remain private but verifiable.
• Each credential is single-use, preventing double verification.

Verification Module

• Organizers can verify attendance by checking the credential against the event registry.
• The system uses ZKPs to prove attendance without revealing personal details.
• Verification marks credentials as used, ensuring no duplicate check-ins.

User-Friendly Interface

• A web or mobile app allows participants to claim, store, and submit credentials easily.
• Organizers access a simple dashboard to verify proofs and track attendance metrics.

On-Chain Integration

• All proofs are linked to the Cardano testnet to demonstrate verifiable on-chain proof issuance and validation.
• Each verification is recorded as a lightweight smart contract interaction, enabling measurable adoption metrics while maintaining privacy.

Accessibility for Non-Blockchain Users

• Participants unfamiliar with blockchain can interact via email, QR code, or web login, while still receiving anonymous, cryptographically secure proofs.

MVP Scope

• Issue anonymous attendance credentials for a single pilot event.
• Enable verification of participation by organizers through the web app.
• Demonstrate double-verification prevention.
• Deploy fully on Cardano testnet for community testing and feedback.

Benefits

• Protects participant privacy while ensuring genuine engagement.
• Builds trust in funded project surveys and events.
• Provides reusable infrastructure for future Cardano events and community initiatives.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Value to the Community:

Provides a trustworthy, privacy-preserving attendance system for funded Cardano events and surveys.

1. Increases community participation by protecting participant privacy while ensuring genuine engagement.
2. Builds reusable infrastructure for future projects, events, DAOs, and Catalyst proposals.
3. Strengthens transparency and credibility of funded project activities, fostering trust in Cardano initiatives.

Measuring Impact:

Quantitative Metrics:

1. Number of participants generating anonymous proofs.

Number of successful verifications vs. failed/double-verification attempts.

1. Total smart contract interactions on Cardano testnet.

Qualitative Metrics:

1. Participant and organizer feedback on usability, privacy, and trust.
2. Reports from pilot events demonstrating improved engagement and satisfaction.

Sharing Outputs & Opportunities:

1. Open-source repository with full MVP code, documentation, and deployment guides.
2. Public reports summarizing pilot adoption metrics and lessons learned.
3. Community demos and workshops at Catalyst events, encouraging adoption by other funded projects.
4. Blog posts, social media updates, and webinars to educate the broader Cardano ecosystem about privacy-preserving event participation.

[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 consists of skilled developers and a UX/UI designer with experience in blockchain, web3 development, and user-centered design. With a proven track record of delivering projects, we have the technical expertise to execute this initiative effectively.

Accountability Measures:

• Transparent project management with defined milestones.
• Regular progress updates to stakeholders and the community.
• Financial reporting and strict budgetary controls, using milestone-based funding disbursements.

The project is feasible because it leverages proven technologies (DIDs + ZKPs) on Cardano. The MVP will be piloted on testnet to validate anonymous proof issuance, verification, and double-verification prevention, ensuring reliability and usability.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

MVP Design & Architecture

Milestone Outputs

• Complete system architecture diagram showing credential issuance, verification, and integration with Cardano testnet.
• Detailed UI/UX wireframes for participant and organizer dashboards.
• GitHub repository initialized with project structure, README, and documentation.

Acceptance Criteria

• Architecture diagram reviewed and approved by the team.
• Wireframes demonstrate all major user flows, including registration, credential issuance, and verification.
• Repository contains initial project skeleton, README, and setup instructions.

Evidence of Completion

• Provide access to diagrams and tech stack details.
• Access to prototype for review.
• Shared documentation on GitHub.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

8000

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Core Development & Smart Contract Integration

Milestone Outputs

• Functional module for generating unique anonymous credentials using DIDs.
• ZKP workflow integrated to allow participants to prove attendance without revealing identity.
• Test scripts simulating credential issuance and proof generation.

Acceptance Criteria

Participants can successfully generate and store anonymous credentials.

Proofs are verifiable by the system using ZKP while maintaining anonymity.

Module passes initial unit tests on Cardano testnet.

Metrics:

• At least 50 test credentials issued successfully on testnet.
• 95% success rate for ZKP proof verifications in test runs.

Evidence of Completion

• GitHub commits with implementation code.
• Testnet transactions showing credential issuance and proof verification.
• Demo video of credential issuance and ZKP verification

Delivery Month

3

Cost

9000

Progress

50 %

Milestone Title

Credential Issuance & ZKP Integration

Milestone Outputs

• Organizer dashboard with verification module for checking attendance proofs.
• Mechanism to prevent double-verification of credentials.
• Error logging system to track duplicate or invalid verification attempts.
• User Acceptance Testing conducted.

Acceptance Criteria

• A minimum of 50 credential verifications completed in simulation.
• 100% prevention of double-check attempts during tests.
• Error logs capturing all failed or duplicate attempts.
• A minimum of 80% of users confirm the implementation of core and additional features.

Evidence of Completion

• Access to source code on github.
• Test results demonstrating successful verifications and blocked duplicates.
• Demo video of organizer dashboard performing verification.

Delivery Month

5

Cost

7000

Progress

80 %

Milestone Title

Testing, Deployment & Feedback

Milestone Outputs

• Fully tested MVP deployed on Cardano testnet.
• Pilot event with participants testing credential issuance and verification.
• Collected feedback on usability, privacy, and reliability of the system.
• Updated GitHub repository with final code, documentation, and testing reports.

Acceptance Criteria

• MVP operates without critical errors in pilot events.
• Participant feedback confirms usability and privacy are satisfactory.
• Deployment demonstrates integration with Cardano testnet and system stability.

Metrics:

• Pilot event with at least 30 participants successfully using the system.

• 90% positive feedback on usability and privacy.

• At least 50 successful testnet transactions for verification.

Evidence of Completion

• Testnet deployment logs and live demo access.
• Participant feedback reports.
• GitHub repository updated with final code, documentation, and test results.
• Final closeout report is publicly available.
• Final report is publicly available.

Delivery Month

6

Cost

8000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Milestone 1: Research, Design, and Architecture

Resources:

• Requirement gathering, technical research (zk-proofs, Cardano integration).
• UI/UX wireframes and design.
• Architectural diagrams, data flow & system design.

Costs:

• Developers (2): 3,200 ADA (1,600 ADA each for 2 months).
• UI/UX Designer (1): 1,200 ADA.
• Project Management & Documentation: 800 ADA.
• Community engagement (design review feedback, early awareness): 300 ADA.

Subtotal: 5,500 ADA

Milestone 2: Core Development & Smart Contract Integration

Resources:

• Core zk-proof module development.
• Smart contract development on Cardano.
• Database & backend setup.
• Security-first development.

Costs:

• Developers (2): 6,400 ADA (3,200 ADA/month for 2 months).
• Code auditing (3rd party): 2,000 ADA.
• Infrastructure setup (hosting, API services, testnet deployment): 800 ADA.
• Project Management & Documentation: 800 ADA.

Subtotal: 10,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Testing, User Feedback, and Refinement

Resources:

• Internal QA & bug fixing.
• Community beta testing & feedback loop.
• UI/UX improvements.

Costs:

• Developers (2): 3,200 ADA (1,600 ADA each).
• UI/UX Designer (refinement): 600 ADA.
• QA & Testing Tools (3rd party services): 1,000 ADA.
• Community testing incentives (reward testers, bounties): 700 ADA.
• Project Management & Documentation: 500 ADA.

Subtotal: 6,000 ADA

Milestone 4: Deployment, Launch, and Marketing

Resources:

• Public deployment of application.
• Launch campaign (publicity, awareness, onboarding).
• Community engagement, AMA sessions, onboarding docs.

Costs:

• Developers (2): 3,200 ADA.
• Marketing & Promotion: 2,500 ADA (content, graphics, community campaigns).
• Legal & Accounting (basic compliance, incorporation): 800 ADA.
• Project Management & Final Documentation: 500 ADA.

Subtotal: 7,000 ADA

Contingency (10%)

For unexpected delays, bug fixes, or additional audits.

3,500 ADA

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

The requested 32,000 ADA provides strong value for the Cardano ecosystem by funding the development of the Private Proof App, enabling secure, verifiable credentials powered by Cardano. Our budget covers fair compensation for developers and a UI/UX designer, aligned with industry rates and local averages, ensuring quality while remaining cost-effective.

We also account for project management, community engagement, and contingency, demonstrating transparency and responsible planning. By delivering an open, reusable solution, the app not only meets immediate goals but also creates long-term value by promoting Cardano adoption in identity, education, and governance use cases.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes