Last updated a month ago
There is growing interest in DeFi in the region, but the lack of clear education in Spanish makes many users afraid to interact with Cardano, limiting its adoption and real understanding.
Launch an online course in Spanish that teaches DeFi from scratch and its use on Cardano. In 10 hours distributed over 3 months, users will gain confidence and will be able to interact with ADA safely
Please provide your proposal title
DeFi Beginners Pathway: Cardano Learning Program
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
24000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
4
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
There is growing interest in DeFi in the region, but the lack of clear education in Spanish makes many users afraid to interact with Cardano, limiting its adoption and real understanding.
Supporting links
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
No
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
No dependencies
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 of the projects outputs will be published
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Education
Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano?
The project is aimed at beginners in Mexico and LATAM who feel interested in cryptocurrencies and ADA, but who still do not understand DeFi or trust their own ability to use it. We will reach them through digital outreach, social media, introductory educational content, and partnerships with local communities.
This initiative is important for Cardano because it transforms curiosity into real knowledge, reduces the fear of interacting with the technology, and creates new users capable of using ADA, exploring DeFi, and actively participating in the ecosystem. By opening a clear educational path, we build a base of informed users who strengthen the adoption and growth of Cardano in the region.
Provide a list of key activities of your project:
Creation of the beginner-oriented DeFi program, structured into simple modules with practical examples and a focus on Cardano. Includes guides, exercises, and audiovisual material.
Recording videos, editing, creating presentations, downloadable resources, and a student access platform. Ensures the quality and accessibility of the content.
Publishing short videos, infographics, and basic explanations to attract people who are afraid of DeFi and make it easier for them to enter the course.
Promoting the program through social media, Cardano communities, local partners, and targeted ads to reach audiences interested in entering the ecosystem.
Delivery of the online program (10 total hours), access to modules, and follow-up sessions to resolve doubts and reinforce learning.
Applying quizzes, measuring understanding, and analyzing progress to ensure that students gain real confidence and skills.
Optional support for students interested in continuing to deepen their knowledge of Cardano, DeFi, and ecosystem tools.
Collecting evidence, metrics, learnings, and results in a final report for Catalyst.
What are your success metrics?
KPIs
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
The project proposes creating an accessible, clear, and fully Spanish online course that teaches DeFi from scratch with a practical focus on the Cardano ecosystem. This solution directly addresses the main problem: thousands of people in Mexico and LATAM want to enter the crypto world, but fear of the technology and the lack of simple educational resources hinder their adoption.
The program is designed especially for beginners. It uses real examples, simple language, and guided exercises that allow anyone to understand how Decentralized Finance works without needing prior knowledge. In addition, the course integrates real demonstrations of Cardano usage, showing how to interact with ADA and ecosystem tools safely and responsibly.
The project will benefit new users, cryptocurrency enthusiasts, local communities, and people interested in learning without technical barriers. By offering a clear entry path, it fosters confidence and transforms curious individuals into active users. This is essential for Cardano, as it drives adoption, promotes understanding, and helps more people participate in its financial ecosystem.
What makes this solution unique is its approach fully adapted to the reality of LATAM: accessible, in Spanish, beginner-friendly, and with a direct impact on education and adoption. This course not only teaches DeFi; it opens the door for more people to use Cardano with safety, confidence, and a deep understanding of its technological value.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
The project will help more people in Mexico and LATAM enter the world of Decentralized Finance without fear or confusion. Many users want to use cryptocurrencies, but the lack of clear education in Spanish holds them back. This course breaks that barrier and creates a safe, accessible, and guided entry point into Cardano.
The main impact will be transforming insecure beginners into informed users who understand how DeFi works and how to interact with ADA without risks. This generates real adoption, recurring users, new communities, and a solid foundation for ecosystem growth in the region.
Training new users, teaching good practices, and allowing them to experience DeFi clearly creates a multiplier effect: the trained individuals share their knowledge, recommend Cardano, and become natural ambassadors of the ecosystem. This strengthens Cardano’s presence in markets where education is the key to growth.
Impact KPIs
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 carried out by a team with experience in digital education, community building, and blockchain technology outreach in Mexico and LATAM. As a Cardano ambassador, I have direct experience delivering workshops, courses, and conferences about the ecosystem, as well as collaborating with universities and tech communities. This ensures an organized, responsible, and results-oriented execution.
The course production, content structure, and learning platform will be developed using tools I already manage, supported by prior experience creating educational material. In addition, I have contacts within crypto communities in LATAM, which facilitates the program’s outreach and dissemination.
The project’s feasibility is validated through:
A clear educational plan divided into progressive modules.
Recorded content, which ensures consistency and scalability.
Evaluations and surveys that measure participants’ progress and real satisfaction.
Verifiable evidence such as metrics, feedback, and community participation.
Ongoing digital support to accompany users throughout the process.
The project can be executed with high levels of confidence because it is based on familiar tools, a proven educational format, and a clear strategy for attracting beginner users. All this, combined with the team’s prior experience in Cardano and DeFi, ensures that the objectives are met and that the results are evident and measurable.
Milestone Title
Production of the fundamental modules of the DeFi Beginners Pathway course
Milestone Outputs
Production of 3 introductory videos (1 hour each).
Topics covered:
Basic personal finance
Blockchain fundamentals
Introduction to Cardano and wallet creation
Downloadable complementary material: presentations, quick guides, summaries.
Mini-quizzes that the student completes asynchronously.
Acceptance Criteria
Videos recorded and edited with professional quality.
Didactic materials reviewed and optimized for beginners.
Functional mini-tests within the platform.
Initial feedback (closed pilot) with at least 80% positive comments.
Evidence of Completion
Folder with the 3 final videos.
PDFs and presentations used.
Pilot feedback form.
Screenshots from the system showing quiz functionality.
Delivery Month
1
Cost
6000
Progress
30 %
Milestone Title
Production of the intermediate modules on DeFi in Cardano
Milestone Outputs
Production of 4 intermediate videos (1 hour each).
Topics covered:
Introduction to DeFi (concepts and risks)
DeFi platforms on Cardano: Liqwid, Minswap, DripDropz
Security and best practices with ADA
Recorded demonstrations: transactions, wallet usage, staking
Complementary materials: step-by-step tutorials, visual guides.
Practical exercises that the student will complete independently.
Acceptance Criteria
Videos correctly recorded and edited.
Tutorials and guides available for download.
Practical exercises designed clearly and understandably.
Internal feedback with at least 80% reported clarity.
Evidence of Completion
Final videos uploaded to the platform.
PDFs of tutorials and guides.
Screenshots of the exercises available on the platform.
Pilot feedback forms.
Delivery Month
2
Cost
6000
Progress
60 %
Milestone Title
Final modules, full course assembly, and community activation
Milestone Outputs
Production of 3 final videos (1 hour each):
Lending, borrowing, and yield farming on Cardano
Basic ADA management strategies
Final application mini-project
Assembly of the full course (10 total hours).
Upload of all materials and quizzes.
Creation of the online community (Telegram/Discord/Facebook group).
Setup of the space to receive asynchronous feedback.
Acceptance Criteria
All 10 final modules published and functional.
Complete platform with materials and quizzes.
Community created and active with at least 50 initial members.
Internal validation of the course user experience (UX).
Evidence of Completion
Screenshots of the full published course.
Final recordings and PDFs.
Link to the active community group.
Internal usability validation report.
Delivery Month
3
Cost
6000
Progress
90 %
Milestone Title
Final project report and impact video
Milestone Outputs
Final report documenting:
Results
KPIs
Participation
Feedback received
Adoption impact
Professional video with highlights, text testimonials, and course screenshots.
Delivery of all evidence required by Catalyst.
Acceptance Criteria
Final report delivered according to Catalyst guidelines.
MP4 video with a clear impact narrative.
Complete record of asynchronous interactions (feedback and community).
Organized documentation for auditing.
Evidence of Completion
PDF of the final report.
Project video.
Folder with screenshots of comments, community activity, and completed questionnaires.
Course usage data.
Delivery Month
4
Cost
5000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Production of Fundamental Modules
Cost: 6,000 ADA
Breakdown:
Recording and editing of 3 introductory videos: 3,000 ADA
Design of presentations, quick guides, and PDFs: 1,500 ADA
Creation of quizzes and platform setup: 800 ADA
Pedagogical review + internal pilot: 700 ADA
Total Milestone 1: 6,000 ADA
Production of Intermediate Modules (DeFi on Cardano)
Cost: 6,000 ADA
Breakdown:
Recording and editing of 4 intermediate videos: 3,200 ADA
Design of step-by-step tutorials and materials: 1,300 ADA
Creation of asynchronous practical exercises: 1,000 ADA
Technical validation of real demonstrations: 500 ADA
Total Milestone 2: 6,000 ADA
Production of Final Modules + Full Course Assembly
Cost: 6,000 ADA
Breakdown:
Recording and editing of 3 final videos: 3,000 ADA
Full course assembly (10 hours): 1,500 ADA
Upload of content, quizzes, and materials: 1,000 ADA
Creation and setup of the online community: 500 ADA
Total Milestone 3: 6,000 ADA
Final Report + Documentary Video
Cost: 5,000 ADA
Breakdown:
Writing of the Final Report for Catalyst: 2,000 ADA
Editing of the project impact video: 2,000 ADA
Organization of evidence, KPIs, and final metrics: 1,000 ADA
Total Milestone 4: 5,000 ADA
Contingency Fund (5%)
1,000 ADA
This fund covers unforeseen issues related to:
Editing adjustments
Technical corrections on the platform
Replacement of audiovisual material
Minor updates needed during production
ADA-USD rate: 0.40
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
In a region where interest in cryptocurrencies is enormous but the lack of education creates fear and insecurity, a clear, accessible, Spanish-language course can make the difference between a user who walks away… and one who adopts Cardano with confidence.
This budget is reasonable because it covers only the essentials: recording, editing, educational design, material production, and the creation of a community space where students can stay connected to Cardano after finishing the course. There are no inflated costs or unnecessary expenses; every ADA is transformed into concrete, useful, and long-term content.
In addition, producing 10 hours of professional educational material with this budget is highly efficient compared to common costs of digital course creation. In Mexico and LATAM, audiovisual and pedagogical production is more accessible, which allows a complete course to be created with a moderate budget and made available to the entire community.
The true value lies in what this course will generate: people who understand what Cardano is, how to use ADA, how to enter DeFi without fear, and how to take advantage of the ecosystem’s tools. This not only attracts new users; it creates natural ambassadors, multiplies adoption, and strengthens Cardano in one of the regions with the greatest growth potential in the world.
This project takes every ADA and turns it into education, confidence, and a future for Cardano in LATAM.
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
Erick Valadez — Project Lead / Content Producer
Role:
Responsible for planning, producing, and executing the course.
Recording and editing the educational content.
Design of presentations, quick guides, and downloadable materials.
Management of the platform where the course will be published.
Coordination of the community group and collection of feedback.
Preparation of the Final Report and delivery of KPIs to Catalyst.
Experience:
Cardano Ambassador in Mexico, with a background delivering workshops, conferences, and educational sessions on blockchain and the Cardano ecosystem in universities across the country. Experienced in creating digital courses, managing educational platforms, and producing audiovisual content. Has collaborated with crypto communities in Mexico and LATAM, promoting adoption through accessible education.
Audiovisual Editor (External Collaborator)
Role:
Support in professional video editing.
Audio cleanup, on-screen text, and visual optimization.
Preparation of the final material in a format compatible with online platforms.
Justification:
Ensures the course has professional quality, clear audio, and a proper visual presentation for beginner students.
Skills gaps and recruitment
If the workload or the number of students grows, the following could be added:
Editing Assistant, to speed up audiovisual deliveries.
Community Moderator, to manage increased interaction.
These positions do not affect the viability of the project, as the critical functions are covered by the core team.
Why this team can execute successfully:
Real experience in education, blockchain, and Cardano.
Proven technical ability to create digital content.
Active relationships with Cardano communities in Mexico and LATAM.
Commitment to Spanish-language education to remove adoption barriers.