Local Centers in West Africa

Purpose of the Proposal
WADA (West Africa Decentralized Alliance) is rapidly gaining momentum through its network of hubs in mobilizing local communities to solve local problems using Cardano. By simultaneously opening multiple Blockchain resource centers spread over Africa, we will speed up Cardano adoption dramatically. The LCCs will all be connected over WADA's network and therefore have access to the WADA network of resources.
The aim of this Proposal is to strengthen these network of hubs by obtaining funding, oversight, and other material support through the Cardano Foundation's (CF) Local Community Center model.
Funding required: 4X LCC Registration and Documentation Fees @ 1000 USD each
Strategic Landscape
Some of these resources already available in the WADA network are:

• Team of highly skilled software developers and educators (already competent in functional programming languages/tools at the Mid-level, currently seeking to finalize their Haskell, Elm and Plutus training to advance to training/educator level)
• Physical/virtual library of functional and other programming books (110+ total books)
• Virtual library of courses through Udemy and Virtual Pair Programmer covering all areas of software architecting and implementation including courses specifically on blockchain technology development. 1,000+ courses available to upgrade to business account for widespread access through WADA's network of Hubs
• Monthly virtual social meetups for ALL WADA members to connect on a broader African Community level
  By obtaining funding from this challenge category, CF Commits to
• Business development & marketing expertise
• Legal expertise
• Technical integration expertise
• Communication & community expertise
• This support from CF will greatly accelerate and entrench WADA work as well as Cardano's presence in the West Africa region

Strategic Direction
With the goal of combining multiple types of LCC in the long term (Developers center, DeFi / DAO center, Business Solution center) each LCC will have a specialty with the aim to share learning with the other LCCs as we grow.

• Cameroon - IT and Agriculture
• Nigeria - Business Solutions Software
• Senegal - Creative Enterprises
• Ghana - Policy Influence/Govt/Academic Outreach
  As our starting model, each LCC will provide:
• Physical/ virtual space
• Internet access
• Computers
• Recurring events (could be monthly, weekly, daily… etc.)
• Education in functional programming and blockchain technology (for all ages)
• Community outreach and events
• **If approved** one Cardano Ambassador assigned to each LCC

Major Milestones
Year 1

• Obtain CF funding, oversight, and resources
• License/register each of the 4 LCCs and sustain to leverage and share resources
• Continue to access operational, capacity building and infrastructure costs funding from Project Catalyst and/or other funding sources

Metrics

• Number of Local Community Center Licenses applied.
• Number of Local Community Centers built and supported.
• Number of new community members onboarded (e.g. devs, enterprises, thought leaders etc.)
• Number of ways Cardano brand was represented in the best way possible through solving of local problems
• Number of events organized and number of attendees
• Number of people brought into the Cardano Community to act as educators, brand ambassadors and growth accelerators.

Risk Management
We will work within our overall Risk Framework as out lined here:
https://cardano.ideascale.com/a/dtd/West-Africa-Decentralized-Alliance/333074-48088
Budget Breakdown
4X LCC Registration and Documentation Fees @ 1000 USD each
The Proposing TEAM

• Afia Owusu: WADA Ghana Hub Lead
• Megan Hess: WADA Cameroon Hub Lead
• Thakane Bazil: Creative Enterprises in Senegal Lead
• Chuma Chukwujama: WADA Nigeria Hub Lead
• Mercy Tachie-Menson: WADA Communication & Coordination Lead

Affiliation with other Projects/Proposals

• West Africa Decentralized Alliance: https://cardano.ideascale.com/a/dtd/West-Africa-Decentralized-Alliance/333074-48088
• +WADA Outreach=Smart Catalyst Users: https://cardano.ideascale.com/a/dtd/+WADA-Outreach=Smart-Catalyst-Users/341675-48088
• Xceed Decentralized eLearning: https://cardano.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Xceed-Decentralized-eLearning/340199-48088
• +Dev Incentives in Cameroon: https://cardano.ideascale.com/a/dtd/+-Dev-incentives-in-Cameroon/340034-48088

Project Brief: https://docs.google.com/document/d/122umgDtJrO20YlnNDF0nJqKsew_LQDmdGNQX2o23MzU/edit?usp=sharing