Please describe your proposed solution

Our solution is to create an educational and community program specifically designed to encourage the participation of African women in the Cardano ecosystem. We will organize online events, mentoring sessions and discussion spaces to strengthen their skills, foster diversity and contribute to their integration and Cardano's expansion in Africa.

Perception of the problem:

We perceive the problem we are solving as an exclusion of African women in the Cardano ecosystem due to lack of representation and participation. This not only limits their access to opportunities in blockchain, but also hinders diversity and innovation within the Cardano community. By addressing this exclusion and encouraging their participation, we aim to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all those interested in Cardano in Africa.

Proposed solution:

The solution we propose to this problem is the creation of an educational and community program specifically designed to encourage the participation of African women in the Cardano ecosystem. The program will include online events, mentoring sessions and discussion spaces to enhance participants' skills, promote diversity and contribute to their integration into the Cardano community.

Our solution comprises several key elements:

• <u>Online educational events:</u> we'll host webinars, seminars and online courses to provide education on blockchain and Cardano, as well as the practical skills needed to participate in the ecosystem.
• <u>Mentoring sessions:</u> We will set up a mentoring program where experienced African women in blockchain and Cardano will be able to guide and advise beginners, helping them progress on their journey.
• <u>Discussion spaces and networking:</u> We will create online discussion spaces, such as Discord servers or Telegram groups, where participants can connect, ask questions and exchange ideas with other women interested in Cardano.
• <u>Educational resources:</u> We will provide educational resources such as guides, tutorials and articles to help African women deepen their knowledge of blockchain and develop their skills in the Cardano ecosystem.
• <u>Monitoring and evaluation:</u> We will put in place monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure the impact of our program and adjust our strategies according to the needs and feedback of participants.

By combining these different elements, we will create an educational and supportive environment that will encourage the participation and integration of African women in the Cardano ecosystem.

Reasons for this approach:

We chose to address this issue by creating an educational and community program specifically focused on African women for several reasons:

• <u>Inclusion and equity:</u> we strongly believe in the importance of creating equitable opportunities for all, and this includes the participation of African women in technological fields such as blockchain.
• <u>Diversity and innovation:</u> Diversity of perspective is essential to innovation. By encouraging the participation of African women, we enrich the Cardano community with new ideas and viewpoints.
• <u>Potential impact:</u> By focusing on an underrepresented but dynamic population like African women, we have the potential to generate a significant impact on the adoption and expansion of Cardano in Africa.
• <u>Holistic approach:</u> Our approach includes both educational and community elements, enabling us to address both the non-technical skills and social aspects of women's inclusion in Cardano.

Combining these reasons, we are convinced that our approach is well positioned to help create positive and sustainable change in the Cardano ecosystem in Africa.

Target:

Our project will primarily engage African women interested in technology and blockchain, as well as members of the Cardano community who wish to support inclusion and diversity within the ecosystem. In addition, we will also involve blockchain mentors and experts, particularly African women who already have experience in the field and can share their knowledge and expertise with participants.

Impact demonstration:

We will demonstrate our impact in several ways:

• <u>Participant tracking:</u> We will track the participation of African women in our educational and community events, recording the number of participants, their level of engagement and their feedback.
• <u>Evaluations and feedback:</u> We will collect regular evaluations and feedback from participants to assess the usefulness and effectiveness of our programs, as well as to identify areas for improvement.
• <u>Participant achievements:</u> We will track participants' individual achievements, such as acquiring new skills, participating in Cardano projects, or securing positions in the blockchain industry.
• <u>Testimonials and success stories:</u> We will collect testimonials and success stories from participants to illustrate the positive impact of our program on their lives and careers.

By combining these different methods, we will be able to convincingly demonstrate the impact of our project on the inclusion of African women in the Cardano ecosystem.

Uniqueness of our project:

What's unique about our solution is our specific focus on empowering African women in the Cardano ecosystem. Our holistic approach includes both educational and community elements, offering participants a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical development opportunities.

In addition, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in our approach to creating a welcoming and stimulating environment for African women interested in blockchain. With a focus on empowerment, education and ongoing support, our solution aims to create a lasting and positive impact in the Cardano ecosystem in Africa.

Important for Cardano:

It's important for Cardano to encourage the participation of African women, as this helps to diversify the community and strengthen the adoption of blockchain in Africa. By promoting the inclusion and empowerment of women, Cardano can access an untapped talent pool and stimulate innovation within its ecosystem.

Furthermore, by supporting the education and training of African women in blockchain, Cardano is investing in the long-term, sustainable development of its influence and presence on the African continent. Ultimately, encouraging the participation of African women is not only beneficial for the Cardano ecosystem, but also for the economic and social growth of Africa as a whole.

Empowering Women:

This project contributes to women's empowerment in several ways:

• <u>Access to education:</u> By offering online educational events and teaching resources, the project enables African women to acquire knowledge and skills in the field of blockchain, expanding their employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
• <u>Skills building:</u> Through mentoring sessions and hands-on activities, participants can strengthen their technical and professional skills, giving them confidence in their abilities and potential in the field of technology.
• <u>Networking and support:</u> The project creates a supportive and collaborative environment where women can connect with other blockchain professionals, exchange ideas and experiences, and benefit from mentoring and mutual encouragement.
• <u>Opportunities for career advancement:</u> by strengthening their skills and networks, African women are better positioned to access professional opportunities in the Cardano ecosystem, whether in employment, self-employment or creating their own projects.

This project contributes to the empowerment of women by providing them with the tools, knowledge and support they need to succeed in blockchain and technology.

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

Positive impact :

Our project will have a positive impact on the Cardano community in several ways:

• <u>Increased diversity and inclusion:</u> By encouraging the participation of African women, we are helping to diversify the Cardano community, enriching perspectives and ideas within the ecosystem.
• <u>Expanded adoption:</u> By strengthening the skills and participation of African women in Cardano, we are helping to expand the adoption of blockchain in Africa, a potentially lucrative market for Cardano.
• <u>Stimulated innovation:</u> The diversity of perspectives and experiences can stimulate innovation by encouraging new ideas and approaches within the Cardano community, which will benefit all members.
• <u>Enhanced brand image:</u> By demonstrating Cardano's commitment to diversity and inclusion, our project will strengthen Cardano's reputation and appeal as a progressive and open community.

Our project will help create a more diverse, inclusive and innovative Cardano community, while helping to expand the adoption of blockchain in Africa and strengthening Cardano's brand image worldwide.

Value to the Cardano Community:

Our project brings significant value to the Cardano community by promoting inclusion, diversity and innovation. By encouraging the participation of African women, we diversify the community, open up new markets in Africa and stimulate innovation through a diversity of perspectives. What's more, by promoting values of inclusion and equity, our project reinforces Cardano's image as a progressive community open to all.

Impact measurement:

We will measure the impact of our project both quantitatively and qualitatively:

<u>Quantitative measures:</u>

• Number of African women participating in our educational and community events.
• Retention rate of participants in the program.
• Number of African women who have acquired new skills or found professional opportunities in the Cardano ecosystem.
• Growth rate of Cardano adoption in Africa.

<u>Qualitative measures:</u>

• Evaluations and feedback from participants on the usefulness and effectiveness of our programs.
• Testimonials and success stories from participants.
• Perceived impact of our project on diversity, inclusion and innovation in the Cardano community.

To share our results, we will use several communication channels:

• We will publish regular reports on our progress and achievements via blogs, newsletters and social media.
• We will organize experience-sharing sessions and roundtables with the Cardano community to discuss the impact of our project.
• We will collaborate with partners and local organizations in Africa to share our results and strengthen our impact on a regional scale.
• We will participate in blockchain-related events and conferences to present our results and exchange with other industry players.

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?

<u>Capability to Deliver with Trust and Accountability</u>:

• Experience and Expertise: Our company, Uptodate Developers, boasts a team of over 18 developers with a proven track record in the development of web, mobile, and desktop applications. With over three years of active involvement in the Cardano blockchain space, we have accumulated solid experience in blockchain technology, decentralization, and web3 technologies.
• Active Cardano Community Engagement: Our team members have been actively engaged in the Cardano community for three years, demonstrating a deep commitment to the ecosystem.

This includes :

--&gt;Co-hosting the Cardano Summit 2021, 2022 and 2023 in DRCongo,

--&gt; Participting in Cardano Summit 2023 in Dubai,

--&gt; Organizing meetings and conferences,

--&gt; Contributing to open-source projects,

--&gt; Conducting live code training on web3 development.

• Community Support and Growth: During Fund 8, we organized 16 live coding sessions over four months, focusing on various aspects of blockchain development. These sessions resulted in the development of the Updev Community platform, an open-source initiative contributed to by participants.

• We also have a community with more than 15000 Followers+ on our diffenrent social medias :

• Twitter

• Linkdin

• Facebook

• Telegram

• Instagram

• Transparency and Communication: Our commitment to transparency is evident in our monthly impact reports shared on social networks. We believe in maintaining open communication with the community to ensure they are informed about the progress, impact, and challenges of the project.

• Conducting diverse Meetups on Cardano Blockchain since the bedinning of 2024

<u>Steps to Demonstrate Trustworthiness</u>:

• <u>Process documentation:</u> We will document all our project selection processes, including judging criteria and scoring steps, to ensure transparency and consistency in our decisions.
• <u>Meeting commitments:</u> We will scrupulously respect the deadlines announced for each project phase, including the selection of winners and the publication of results, in order to maintain the confidence of participants and stakeholders.
• <u>Open and regular communication:</u> We will communicate transparently with participants, providing regular updates on project progress, deadlines and expectations, to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.
• <u>External evaluation:</u> We will seek external advice on our processes and results to ensure objectivity and credibility. This could include the involvement of independent experts in the project selection process or external audits of our practices.
• <u>Ongoing monitoring and evaluation:</u> We will regularly assess our performance against project objectives and stakeholder expectations, putting in place feedback mechanisms to collect comments and suggestions for improvement.

By leveraging our experience, community engagement, and a commitment to transparency, we are well-positioned to deliver on the Updev Community project with high levels of trust and accountability.

What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Milestone 1: Call for entries and team building

<u>Objective :</u> The aim this Milestone is to effectively launch the call for participation in our project and build strong coordination teams. This will enable us to reach a wide audience of African women interested in participating in our project, to actively recruit participants for the various educational and community activities planned, to form coordination teams to effectively plan and manage future project activities, and finally, to ensure a successful start to the project and create a solid base for its subsequent implementation.

<u>A: Milestone outputs</u>

• Public announcement of the call for participation in social media and online forums, with wide reach and increased visibility.
• A significant number of interested African women applied to participate in the project, demonstrating a strong initial commitment.
• A competent coordination team is formed, ready to effectively plan and manage future project activities.
• A transparent and accessible application process, enabling African women to easily apply to participate in the project.
• A detailed plan for the future of the project, including the next steps to be taken after the launch of the call for participation.

<u>B: Acceptance criteria</u>

• The call for participation was announced on at least three different social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn).
• A minimum of 30 applications from interested African women were received via the online application process.
• The project coordination team is formed and includes at least three women, with clearly defined roles.
• The application process is simple and accessible, with a functional online application form and clear instructions for applying.
• A detailed post-launch plan is drawn up, including next steps for successful project implementation.

<u>C: Evidence of milestone completion</u>

• Links to social media posts announcing the call for entries, demonstrating reach and audience engagement.
• A google spreadsheet file containing participants' application information, including the total number of applications received.
• A PDF file showing the list of team members and details of their roles and responsibilities.
• A link to the online application form with clear instructions on how to apply.
• A detailed post-launch PDF outlining the project's next steps, including objectives and deadlines.

Milestone 2: Milestone 2: Introducing Cardano Blockchain and the professional opportunities it offers

<u>Objective :</u> The aim of Milestone 2 is to effectively introduce Cardano and the professional opportunities offered by blockchain to participants. This aims to inform, motivate and prepare participants to explore careers in the Cardano ecosystem, as well as to engage in future training and project activities.

<u>A: Milestone outputs</u>

• Organization of a successful online event to present Cardano and its ecosystem, with active participation from participants.
• Clear and informative presentation of the various professional opportunities offered by blockchain, highlighting areas relevant to Cardano.
• Selection of participants for training courses based on their interest and skills, taking into account the different professional opportunities presented.
• Development of visual aids and teaching materials to help participants understand the concepts presented and explore the professional opportunities available in the Cardano ecosystem and blockchain in general.

<u>B: Acceptance criteria</u>

• The online event organized to introduce Cardano and the professional opportunities of blockchain was well received by participants, with a high rate of participation and interaction.
• The presentation of the various professional opportunities was clear, informative and relevant, arousing the interest and commitment of the participants.
• Participants were selected for training based on their interest and skills, with a clear understanding of the career opportunities available in the Cardano ecosystem.
• The visual aids and teaching materials developed were deemed useful and effective in helping participants understand the concepts presented and explore professional opportunities in blockchain.

<u>C: Evidence of milestone completion</u>

• YouTube video links of the organized online event, showing the active participation and interaction of the participants.
• Feedback from participants on the clarity and relevance of the presentation of blockchain business opportunities.
• List of participants selected for training, with information on their interests and relevant skills.
• Link to training materials with feedback on their usefulness and effectiveness in understanding the concepts presented and exploring professional opportunities in the Cardano ecosystem.

Final Milestone: Final Milestone: Introduction to Blockchain professions

<u>Objective :</u> The aim of the Final Milestone is to provide participants with in-depth, practical training in the various professions and professional opportunities in the blockchain field. This aims to give them the skills they need to explore and succeed in these fields, strengthening their engagement and participation in the Cardano ecosystem and beyond.

<u>A: Milestone outputs</u>

• Delivery of interactive online training sessions covering community management, configuration and moderation of Discord servers and Telegram channels, as well as other non-technical blockchain trades.
• Practical workshops to enable participants to put into practice the skills acquired during the training.
• Assessment of participants' progress throughout the training, with feedback mechanisms to help them improve their skills and understanding in these specific areas.
• Provision of additional learning resources, such as guides, tutorials and case studies, to deepen understanding of the non-technical business of blockchain.
• Certification of participation for participants who successfully complete the training, preparing them to apply for professional opportunities in the Cardano ecosystem and beyond in the fields of community management, Discord and Telegram server moderation, and other non-technical trades.

<u>B: Acceptance criteria</u>

• The online training sessions comprehensively cover the topics of community management, configuration and moderation of Discord servers and Telegram channels, as well as other non-technical blockchain trades.
• The practical workshops and work sessions are well organized and enable participants to put into practice the skills acquired during the training.
• Participants' progress is regularly and accurately assessed throughout the course, with constructive feedback to help them improve their skills.
• Supplementary learning resources provided are relevant, comprehensive and accessible, reinforcing participants' understanding of the areas covered.
• Certification of participation is awarded fairly and transparently to participants who successfully complete the training, demonstrating their acquisition of skills and readiness to take on professional challenges in the specific areas of community management, Discord and Telegram server moderation, and other non-technical blockchain trades.

<u>C: Evidence of milestone completion</u>

• Video links to online training sessions, demonstrating exhaustive coverage of the topics covered.
• Feedback from participants on the quality and usefulness of the practical workshops and work sessions for putting acquired skills into practice.
• Regular evaluations of participants' progress throughout the course, with results achieved.
• Documentation of additional learning resources provided, such as guides, tutorials and case studies.
• PDF of Certificates issued to participants who have successfully completed the training.

Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

1. AVAILABLE TEAM

—————————————————————––

• Uptodate Developers

Uptodate Developers is a startup working in the promotion of new information and communication technologies under two aspects: By designing adapted solutions that contribute to the resolution of social problems and by promoting technology to young people. We train developers to understand customers problems, so that our team can suggest IT Software as part of the solution to the problems. We have two type of developers : Permanent and Freelances. When a project need skills that our permanent developers have, we hire freelances.

• Dan Baruka

Project leader

CEO of Uptodate Developers.

Entrepreneur and Blockchain developer, Dan baruka is a software engineer and technology entrepreneur based in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo). He is the co-founder of the startup Uptodate Developers, which brings together young people working in new information and communication technologies. Its objective is to contribute to positively change Africa by using new technologies in entrepreneurship to contribute to the resolution of Africa's problems.

Languages : French &amp; English

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-baruka-6a3423188>

• Josephine Ndeze

Team Leader | Chef Operating Officer

COO at Uptodate Developers and Blockchain entrepreneur. Software engineer, Tech entrepreneur in Kinshasa (DR-Congo), Mandela washington fellowship Allumi 2022 | The Next Einstein Forum (NEF) Ambassador (2019-2021) | MissGeekAfrca 2019.

Languages : French &amp; English

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephine-ndeze-54115b188/?originalSubdomain=cd>

• Priscille Bampata

General Coordinator Updev DRC

Coordinateur at Uptodate Developers and Blockchain entousiast.

Languages : French &amp; Swahili

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscille-bampata-1b4a76224/>

• Lea Dupont

Community growth : African Women in Cardano

Full Stack Web Developer | Lover of lines of code and elegant interfaces | Sharing knowledge and ideas | Enthusiastic tech always looking for new

Languages : French | English | Swahili

<https://twitter.com/AmLeadupont>

• Yannick Nsenga

DevOps | Trainer

Cardano Blockchain and senior blockchain developer : Haskell and Plutus, Software Engineer, Expert in application architecture, web full stack developer, Web 3.0, vue.js, Laravel, Node Js, Vuejs, Core.

Languages : French | English

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/yannick-nsenga-121558ba/>

• Kambale (Makasi) Mechack

Web 3 and Cardano Developer Blockchain

We develop software on the Web 3 platform utilizing the Cardano blockchain. Our specialty lies in Frontend Cardano Blockchain Integration.

Blockchain,Web3, Reactjs, JavaScript, Sass, HTML5

Languages : French | English

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/yannick-nsenga-121558ba/>

• Vital yengayenga

Community Manager | RS content strategy

Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, User Experience Design (UX), Copywriting, Copywriting, User Experience Writing, Content Strategy, Blog

Languages : French | English

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/vital-yengayenga/>

2.TEAM TO HIRE

—————————————————————––

• Latouifa Fetafeta

Cameraman and videos producer.

Freelance Editor and cameraman at Nyiragongo Ngoma Production, SARL

Language : French

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/latouifa-fetafeta-b7ba49160/>

• Blaise P. Irenge

Photojournalist and Corporate Consultant.

Experienced Managing Director with a demonstrated history of working in the marketing and advertising industry. Skilled in Strategic Planning, Microsoft Office, Management, Business Strategy, and Marketing. Strong business development professional with a Certificat formation focused on Business and Entrepreneurship from Global Touch Corporate DRC. Professional photographe and consulting in Kivu Entrepreneurs.

Language : French &amp; English

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaise-p-irenge-7b8b85133/>

3.PARTNERSHIP TO SIGN

—————————————————————––

• African Women of Web3 (AWoW3)

The African Women of Web 3 (AWoW3) initiative is a supportive and collaborative space for women in blockchain and Web 3.

<https://www.linkedin.com/company/awow3/?originalSubdomain=ke>

• Kenya Blockchain Ladies DAO

<https://kenyablockchainladies.com/>

• Afriguild

<https://afriguild.com/?ref=benjamindada.com>

<https://www.web3ladies.com/>

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Total project cost : ADA 40,000

<u>Milestone 1: Call for entries and team building :</u> 15,000 ADA

Promotion preparation: 3,000 ADA

• Creation of attractive visuals and engaging content for the promotion (Use of graphic design services or online content creation tools, such as Canva to produce high-quality visuals) : 3,000 ADA

Launch of call for participation: 3,000 ADA

• Creation of an online form for applications (Use of online form creation platforms such as Google Forms or Typeform, often requiring a premium subscription for advanced features) : 3,000 ADA

Promotion on social networks: 6,000 ADA

• Use of paid advertising on social networks to extend the reach of the call for participation : 3,000 ADA
• Allocation of a budget for advertising campaigns on platforms such as Facebook Ads, Twitter Ads and LinkedIn Ads: 3,000 ADA

Documentation and reporting: 3,000 ADA

• Use of document creation and presentation software to produce reports and follow-up documents (Use of word processing and presentation software such as Google Workspace): 3,000 ADA

<u>Milestone 2: Introducing Cardano Blockchain and the professional opportunities it offers:</u> 20,000 ADA

Organization costs (administration) : 8,000 ADA

• Event organization : 4,000 ADA
• Rental of webinar or online conference platform : 4,000 ADA

Fees for speakers and experts : 6,000 ADA

• Fees for expert speakers on Cardano blockchain : 6,000 ADA

Development of visual aids and teaching materials: 6,000 ADA

• Creation of presentations, documents and visual aids : 3,000 ADA
• Organization costs (administration): 3,000 ADA

<u>Final Milestone: Introduction to Blockchain professions:</u> 15,000 ADA

Delivery of online training sessions : 3,000 ADA

• Creation of presentations, documents and visual aids : 1,500 ADA
• Fees for expert speakers on Cardano blockchain : 1,500 ADA

Practical workshops : 3,000 ADA

• Materials and equipment for practical online workshops : 3,000 ADA

Evaluation of participants' progress : 3,000 ADA

• Tools and software to assess participants' progress : 3,000 ADA

Additional learning resources : 3,000 ADA

• Purchase of additional guides, tutorials and case studies : 3,000 ADA

Certification of participants : 3,000 ADA

• Cost of issuing certificates of participation : 3,000 ADA

No dependencies.

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

The cost of the project represents significant value for the Cardano ecosystem for several reasons. Firstly, the costs are justified by the expected outcomes, including raising awareness and engaging the community in the education sector, as well as promoting the use of Cardano blockchain technology. Expenditure is also aligned with project objectives, such as promoting education, strengthening the community and expanding Cardano's global reach.

In determining costs, these were assessed taking into account the specific needs of each stage of the project, as well as the typical costs associated with running a hackathon and promoting educational projects. Costs were optimized to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while maintaining the quality of results.

As a result, project costs represent a sound investment for the Cardano ecosystem, offering a tangible return on investment in the form of a more engaged educational community, increased awareness of blockchain technology and the promotion of Cardano adoption in new regions.

In addition, the project costs are commensurate with our industry's average tariffs and labor costs in our country. We carried out a comparative analysis of average rates for professional services and labor costs in our region for nou