Last updated 5 months ago
Cardano's shift to on-chain governance (Voltaire/Catalyst), yet many ADA holders remain confused, disengaged, or unaware risk limiting legitimacy and diversity diversity of governance outcomes.
Scaling Cardano Governance Forum: bi-weekly, bilingual (English/French) livestream (X Spaces/YouTube) to simplify current proposals, host Q&A with experts (DReps, IOG), and civic space for Governance
Please provide your proposal title
Cardano Governance Forum: Boost Participation on X and YT
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
35750
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?
Cardano's shift to on-chain governance (Voltaire/Catalyst), yet many ADA holders remain confused, disengaged, or unaware risk limiting legitimacy and diversity diversity of governance outcomes.
Supporting links
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
Yes
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
The "Cardano Governance Forum" bi-weekly workshop series is built upon a robust, decentralized, and live-data foundation, ensuring high transparency and technical accuracy. Critically, no new technical development is required as all dependencies are already live on the Cardano mainnet or accessible via public endpoints. I. Core Technical Dependencies & Live Data Verification The series integrates live data feeds during every broadcast to eliminate the need for trust and to show the audience the exact state of the governance process. • GovTool (govtool.cardano.org): This is the primary on-screen resource used in real-time to display the DRep directory, current open governance actions, voting power snapshots, and dynamic voting thresholds. • Cardano Blockchain Data & APIs: We use professional-grade APIs (e.g., Blockfrost, Koios, Tangocrypto) for cardano−db−sync to pull and display live, verifiable metrics on stream, including delegation statistics, historical turnout data, and current voting participation rates. • Voltaire Protocol Endpoints: Public GraphQL endpoints from SanchoNet and GovTool are used to fetch the real-time status of the Constitutional Committee, Hard Fork Initiator Votes, and Parameter Change proposals, directly mapping to the on-chain actions defined by the Voltaire protocols. • On-chain Protocols: The workshops directly address and utilize the core mechanisms of CIP-1694 Governance Actions (like InfoAction, ParameterChange), DRep registration and delegation (CIP-105), and the on-chain voting mechanism (CIP-0094c). All data is public and is pulled live during streams, ensuring viewers see the same verifiable numbers reflected on the Cardano blockchain, thereby fostering transparency and confidence in the governance process. II. Expert Collaboration and Guest Lineup The credibility of the series is underpinned by the consistent participation of Cardano ecosystem leaders and technical experts. We maintain a rotating invitation list of over 40 committed governance experts. • IOG & Intersect: • Decentralized Representatives: • Ecosystem Breadth: Securing funding for this series guarantees its uninterrupted operation through the entire critical Voltaire rollout period and the first Constitutional Convention, ensuring maximum community support and clarity exactly when confusion and abstention risks are highest. This is a proven initiative by AIDBLOCK, now ready for professional scaling.
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
Yes
Please provide details on the intellectual property (IP) status of your project outputs, including whether they will be released as open source or retained under another licence.
All Cardano Governance Live content — slides, scripts, timestamps, bilingual (English & French), graphics, and on-screen tools, publish on public event portals from day one. Anyone can fork, reuse, translate, or re-broadcast episodes. We use only open-source or public Cardano APIs (GovTool, Koios, Blockfrost free tier) and open protocols (CIP-1694, CIP-105). No paywalls, no proprietary data. The project itself is fully transparent and community-replicable, embodying Cardano’s open-source ethos.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Governance
Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano?
Targeted Audience, Outreach Plan, and Strategic Importance
Primary Audience
The project directly targets the entire English and Francophone Cardano community in Africa (estimated 20,000–50,000 active wallets): French-speaking ADA holders in West and Central Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, etc.) – one of the fastest-growing regions by ADA per capita. Existing English-speaking members who want clear, neutral governance education and live interaction with experts.
This audience currently has almost zero governance content in French and therefore exhibits extremely low DRep registration and voting participation rates despite high wallet growth.
Secondary Audience
New English-speaking entrants worldwide who discover Cardano during the Voltaire hype cycle and need fast, reliable onboarding to on-chain governance.
Why They Matter for Cardano
Francophone Africa and diaspora represent a strategic pillar for Cardano’s long-term success: high grassroots adoption, real-world use cases in education and remittances, and a young, tech-savvy population. Excluding them from Voltaire governance because of language risk leaving tens of thousands of ADA holders effectively disenfranchised, weakening geographic diversity, reducing on-chain voting turnout, and exposing Cardano Governance to criticism that its “global decentralization” is English-centric.
Activating this group now is essential to bring to reality the vision of Cardano Constitution and every major governance decision in 2025–2026.
Concrete Plan to Reach Audience
By meeting the Francophone community where they already are, speaking their language literally and culturally, and giving them the exact tools and confidence to vote on-chain in real time, this project will convert one of Cardano’s largest underserved audiences into one of its most active governance participants—delivering immediate decentralization gains for the entire ecosystem at a remarkably low cost per activated voter.
Provide a list of key activities of your project:
**Key Project Activities **
Cardano Governance Forum
**Live Production **
**Post-Production & Distribution **
Community Outreach & Promotion
Impact Tracking & Reporting
What are your success metrics?
Primary KPI – On-Chain Governance Participation (the metric that matters most)
Reach and Engagement Metrics Average live attendance:
Content & Open-Source Adoption Metrics
Sustainability Metric
By end of month 6: Stra commegic partnership commitment from at least one goovtool, established Francophone Cardano community or SPO collective to continue the series (or a translated version) after funding ends. These targets are ambitious yet realistic given the existing AIDBLOCK audience trajectory and the complete absence of competing French-language governance education. Every metric will be tracked live and reported monthly on the Cardano Forum and X – zero ambiguity, full community auditability.
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
Cardano Governance Forum is an established, community-recognized bi-weekly workshop series already broadcast simultaneously on X Spaces and YouTube Live under the leadership of AIDBLOCK. Since 2025, it has delivered more than about 10 episodes with steadily growing attendance and proven impact on governance participation. This proposal requests funding to professionalize and extend the series for a focused 6-month intensive bilingual (English + French) phase during the most decisive period of Cardano’s Voltaire rollout (Fund13 → first Constitutional Convention).
Core Objectives
Delivery Format (every other Saturday, 18:00 UTC) 75–90 minute live sessions
Simultaneous broadcast: X Spaces (audio-first, mobile-friendly) + YouTube Live (visual dashboards, screen sharing)
Professional simultaneous French interpretation (native speaker)
Real-time bilingual captions via AI-assisted tool + human review
Why Bilingual English/French is Critical Now
Francophone nations in Africa represent one of the fastest-growing ADA holder bases in Africa, yet almost no governance education exists in French. Low language access is a proven barrier to DRep registration and voting turnout in these regions. Simultaneous French delivery removes that barrier instantly and positions Cardano as a truly global, inclusive governance system. The Cardano Governance Forum will focus on Africa and create civic space for Cardano governance discourse, educating and driving grassroot governance adoption and participation in Africa.
Measurable Participation Impact
Unique referral tags in GovTool (“GOVLIVE-FR” and “GOVLIVE-EN”) to track new DRep registrations and delegations originating from the series
Pre- and post-session polls + on-chain correlation analysis
Target: ≥120 average live participants per session and ≥1500 new or reactivated delegations directly attributable within 6 months.
The project is provide grassroot governance education to both English and French communities in Africa.
Sustainability After Funding
The bilingual template, open-source materials, and proven format will remain freely available forever. Build partnership Local Francophone communities and SPOs interestes in continuing the series independently during the funded phase. By funding this focused 6-month bilingual sprint, Catalyst invests in measurable, immediate, and inclusive governance participation exactly when Cardano needs it most, while creating a reusable open-source blueprint for every language community on the planet.
Merci – Thank you – Cardano Governance Forum, live bilingual and on-chain civic engagement.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
This proposal perfectly embodies the Cardano Open: Ecosystem category by delivering a high-leverage, non-technical initiative that directly accelerates grassroots growth, education, and global community engagement during the most crucial phase of Cardano’s history: the transition to full Voltaire governance.
Cardano Governance Live removes the single largest barrier to mass participation – lack of clear, accessible, real-time education – by translating complex on-chain governance actions into simple, neutral English and French explanations twice per month. It turns passive ADA holders into informed voters and DReps in under 90 minutes per session.
Simultaneous bilingual (English + French) delivery, live open-mic Q&As with DReps, Intersect, and IOG representatives, and a welcoming civic space on X Spaces & YouTube create genuine belonging space for civic governance discussion for thousands of French-speaking community members in Africa, Québec, France, Belgium, and Switzerland who might have been excluded by the language gap.
Through unique GovTool referral tags (Example “GOVLIVE-EN” & “GOVLIVE-FR”), we will demonstrate thousands of new or reactivated delegations and votes directly traceable to the series, providing clear evidence of broadened on-chain participation and ecosystem activation.
Every slide, transcript, subtitle file, and streaming template is released publicly from day one. Other language communities can instantly fork and launch their own local editions, multiplying the impact through community-owned growth the Cardano Open: Ecosystem category exists to fund.
By empowering the both English Francophone world, creating civic space for Cardano governace discourse for leaving behind a fully replicable model, this project will significantly widen Cardano’s global reach, deepen decentralization, and prove that small, targeted, community-led education initiatives can deliver outsized governance participation – the ultimate expression of the Cardano Open: Ecosystem mission.
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 project will be delivered by the African Institute for Defi and Blockchain (AIDBLOCK), a nonprofit and policy think tank dedicated to advancing and building Africa's regulatory preparedness for blockchain adoption. This institute was founded by poject Catalyst Fund 8 funding in the Lobbying for Favorable Legislation with a project named Establish Center for Coin Liberty. Our work during this period has led to our transformation to a fully incorporated entity in Ghana. (See:https://youtu.be/U4mXDFsXnjg?si=UYnTTIOiMv4OyXzM))
Our team include blockchain researchers, policy analysts, security analyst, programs and event managers as well as community managers with combined 15 years of experience in blockchain grassroot education and various stakeholders engagement for better regulatory evironment for blockchain. Our team's work at AIDBLOCK helped to promote among other things blockchain soutions through stakeholder engagement and policy dialogues focused on exploring fintech and blockchain potential to revolutionize various sectors, including banking, payments, supply chain, and investment, thereby promoting sustainable economic development and free trade in Africa.
We have also written copiously in news media, policy papers and undertaken advocacy through media interview which contributed to the abolishment of Electronic Transaction Levy in Ghana (See https://www.modernghana.com/news/1127683/e-levy-bill-cardano-blockchain-can-save-mobile.html)..)
Our activities have held 10 episodes of Cardano Governance Forums to explain various governance actions and activites. Our motivation is that every ADA must be delegated to increase participation in on-chain governance and prevent automatic 'abstain votes" from undelegated ADA. This has helped us grow a community of 300+ members where we educate them on various governance and project catalyst updates and how to participate (Check https://chat.whatsapp.com/GjUBykOIi2P1jIcXqXrjpc).)
Our team include Intersect Members who are familiar with Cardano Governance process having participated in Constitutional workshop and contested for Interesect Committee elections. Team members have contributed as facilitators and speaker educating different community of audiences about Cardano Governance.
Milestone Title
Full Bilingual Relaunch & First 4 Episodes Delivered
Milestone Outputs
Outputs
Acceptance Criteria
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
2
Cost
10200
Progress
40 %
Milestone Title
Established Rhythm & Growing Impact
Milestone Outputs
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
2
Cost
12000
Progress
30 %
Milestone Title
Sustaining Governance Forum & Maximum Reach
Milestone Outputs
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
2
Cost
13550
Progress
30 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Budget Detailed Table Format- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1We-4PWLfmOhQPmF-bqvDNrAclRKyIsGa/view?usp=sharing
Budget Breakdown
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
At 35,750 ADA for a six-month bilingual season (12 full episodes), this project delivers exceptional value for money when measured against its direct, verifiable impact on Cardano’s governance health. The cost per episode is only ~2,750 ADA, yet each professionally produced, simultaneously interpreted English/French workshop is designed to activate hundreds of new voters and DReps in real time—translating to a cost of under 20–30 ADA per new or reactivated delegation (based on our conservative target of 1,500+ traceable delegations).
Compared to traditional outreach campaigns, conferences, or multi-month development projects that often cost 100,000+ ADA with no on-chain participation metrics, this initiative is one of the most cost-effective levers available: every ADA spent creates permanent, reusable, open-source educational assets while delivering immediate, measurable increases in voter turnout and delegation during this governance phase.
The bilingual premium (simultaneous French interpretation and captioning) is the key multiplier: it unlocks one of the fastest-growing yet most underserved ADA-holder demographics in Africa for a marginal cost increase that would otherwise require separate, fully duplicated projects in the future.
In short, 35,750 ADA is not an expense—it is a high-yield investment that directly strengthens Cardano’s decentralization, legitimacy, and global inclusivity at a fraction of the cost of letting thousands of French-speaking ADA holders remain excluded from governance. Few Catalyst proposals can demonstrate this level of leverage, transparency, and immediate on-chain ROI.
I confirm that the proposal is a non-technical initiative, with ≤20% of the budget for tech support.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal provides verifiable evidence (portfolio, links, reports) of the team's ability to deliver the project.
Yes
I confirm that the proposer and all team members are in good standing with prior Catalyst projects.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal includes clear objectives with both Output Metrics (what proposal did) and Adoption-Focused Metrics (what effect proposal had).
Yes
I confirm that the proposal clearly explains the user journey and provides a credible plan for how the project will equip and motivate users for future on-chain activity.
Yes
I confirm that the initiative clearly demonstrates how it will grow the Cardano ecosystem or onboard users.
Yes
I confirm that the project plan and timeline (≤ 12 months) are realistic and well-defined.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal commits to public outputs and justifies any exceptions.
Yes
I confirm that the budget adheres to all policies: it is for future work, follows the merchandise rule, and excludes establishing local treasuries, incentives/giveaways, re-grants.
Yes
I Agree
Yes
NATHANIEL DWAMENA – Chief Executive Officer
He is a researcher and free-market policy analyst. He co-authored several papers and policy briefs aimed at creating a favourable regulatory framework for the blockchain industry. His most recent publication focused on “Navigating Cryptocurrencies and CBDCS in the Landscape of
Monetary Sovereignty and Economic Freedom”. He is the founder YAFO Institute, free-market policy think tank in Ghana and led the YAFO Institute to win the Atlas Network 2024 Africa Think Tank Shark Tank Award in Tanzania. Through the award, his project onboarded small businesses to use decentralized solutions to mitigate double taxation, reduce operational expense and be profitable. He is a blockchain enthusiast, a WADA member and part of several initiatives undertaking project catalyst education and onboarding, dApp development and advance Cardano Governance. He leads a community of over 500 youths involving techprenuers, students, and
developers at the Ubuntu Origin Labs. He graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Law (2023) and a B.A. (Hons) in Geography and Rural Development (2018). Currently, he is a professional student of law at the Ghana School of Law. He has strong commitment to building Africa’s readiness for Web3 and decentralized solutions through favourable regulation. He is currently the Founder and CEO of Africa Institute for DeFi and Blockchain. He is passionate about liquid democracy and undertake initiates such as Cardano Governance Forum to increase governance participation in Cardano.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaniel-dwamena-02578a127/
JOSHUA LARWEH TETTEH - Director of Blockchain Policy, Research and Governance
Leads blockchain policy development and research initiatives.
Focuses on decentralized governance frameworks, voting systems, on-chain governance models, and regulatory implications. Engages in on-chain governance participation and creates Africa-focused governance research outputs. Designs and manages research projects, publishes policy briefs and reports, and engages with policymakers to advocate for enabling blockchain regulations.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-tetteh-a1b391192/
KWADW BOADU JR. - Director of Communication & Public Affairs
Leads campaigns, events, and lobbying efforts to build political will and public support for blockchain policy reforms and digital infrastructure development. Builds dialogue with regulators, raises awareness of decentralized governance benefits, and aligns public policy with global standards while promoting African participation in Cardano governance and innovation.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwadwoboadujr/
PRINCE OWUSU - Project Multimedia and Brand Marketing
Responsible for maintaining a strong and consistent visual identity across all platforms, including digital campaigns, reports, website, and educational content. Ideal if the role includes graphics, short videos, and basic motion/interactive design to support education and advocacy campaigns.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prince-owusu-amponsah-595810298/