Please describe your proposed solution.

Background:

We being part of the Cardano community for the last two years and worked on a project to train senior developers in India on Plutus and Haskell, we realized that there is bigger need to build awareness at larger community level and build community of developers for Cardano Ecosystem.

There is a serious shortage of qualified senior developers in Cardano Ecosystem impacting plans to deliver various solutions to the problems envisaged by community builders and thinkers.

The Indian IT industry employs 2 million plus software developers, only less than 0.5% of developers possess the necessary blockchain development skills.

Solution:

Indian skilled and experienced developers pool could be a solution to fill the gap of the developers requirement for Cardano Ecosystem. These developers are engaged in developing complex applications using other technologies in web 2.0 and they have the ability to quickly grasp and be ready developers for Cardano blockchain.

Our program Design and key pillars

1. Marketing and outreach:
2. Social Media Campaign: We shall run awareness campaigns on social media and in private groups and invite interested developers to join the community.
3. Awareness Sessions: We shall run once in a month awareness session online and offline. Alternative month we shall do a webinar and offline meetups to bring awareness about Cardano ecosystem.
4. Developers support :
5. Education Resources and Support: Interested participant will be provided guidance on various tools and solution for learning and development.
6. Industry Connect: Once every two months an online webinar will be conducted with global perspective with potential project sponsors or industry expert and developers community so there is direct interaction.

Implementation:

1. Online Developer Portal: Develop a user-friendly online platform with forums, documentation, tutorials, and tools for Cardano developers. Encourage active participation and contribution from the community.
2. Social Media Campaign: Run Social Media Campaign to bring awareness about Cardano Ecosystem and increase participation
3. Educational Programs: Partner with educational institutions and experts in the Cardano ecosystem, to design and conduct comprehensive learning programs. Offer certifications to recognize developers' expertise. Example https://plutuspbl.io/ and https://academy.cardanofoundation.org/
4. Events Management: Plan and execute regular meetups, hackathons, and larger conferences both virtually and in key locations. Invite prominent figures within the Cardano community to participate and inspire developers.

Connecting Cardano blockchain developers is pivotal in unlocking the full potential of the ecosystem. By providing a supportive environment, educational resources, project opportunities, and networking events, we aim to support Cardano Community to increase Developers in its Ecosystem.

We already have a module designed for any new developers to start learning and developing on Cardano platform.

Here is some example of educational materials from Cardano India Developers Community Github repository

https://github.com/CardanoIndiaDevelopersCommunity

India is a Large Country, it is a sub-continent, hence it is difficult cover all key locations for offline events. For this practical reason, we shall do in person/offline events in two major cities of East India region, that is Kolkata and Bhubaneswar. All Online events will be open for Developers from all over India and our digital Initiatives will continue focusing on India.

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

Without the supportive environment for developers, new innovations would be stalled. By supporting this challenge settings, more developers would be drawn into Cardano. There would be a bigger talent pool of developers that Catalyst projects can collaborate with and turn project concepts/Proof of concept into successful protocols which would enhance the growth of Cardano.

Today, Cardano Community to grow, it needs to attact developers from outside of our current community to participate.

For this, as India provides talent pool, there is need of catalyst program to reach to this pool, attact them and facilitate smooth on boarding on Cardano Development Ecosystem.

In addtion to online campaigns, there is need to have offline events like Meetups and workshops to complement the online campaigns effort. This is proven most effective way to Marketing and outreach.

In todays highly competitive development tech environment, A supportive program for developers can encougage and keep the developers motivated and engaged.

This proposal helps in making available more trained developers on Cardano by attracting existing web 2.0 developers in India and supporting them on their journey to be part of Cardano developers Eco Systems. Cardano community can meet their objectives and project timelines as there is wider talent pool available.

Target:

In 8 months, we shall build 100+ developers’ community which is engaged in learning and development on Cardano Ecosystem. This approach can help to quickly fill the shortage of developers in Cardano Ecosystem.

Number of developers engaged with Cardano community and developer ecosystem is a good measure of impact of this proposal. We shall share number of enganged developers in our monthly reports. For detailed audit, we can facilitate developers attedance, feedback and repositories.

As it is community based project, community feedback will be collected and shared.

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?

We are passionate about blockchain technology, and we have been leveraging Cardano blockchain Technology for more than 2 years. Since we got introduced to Cardano by a Cardano community Evangelist 2.5 years ago, we have learned Cardano tech stack as well delivered multiple projects on Cardano blockchain.

Our team's capability to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability is grounded in our extensive experience and expertise in both blockchain technology and our network/connection of developers in India. Here’s how we validate our approach and ensure the feasibility of the project:

Team Expertise and Experience:

The Team experiance is a great commbination of tech/developmnet expertise and events and community management with extensive network of developers in India. We have worked together more than 10 years.

• Blockchain Experts: Our team has in-depth knowledge of blockchain technology, specifically in the Cardano Dev Stack
• Developers Network: Each member of this team is 20+ years of indsutry experience and worked with 100 of different developer during this period. We are connected with large pool of experienced and senior Developers with software architecture and technical design experience on enterprise solution.
• Project Management: Our experienced project manager will oversee the project, ensuring milestones are met efficiently and effectively.
• Event Management: Team Member have 18+ years of Event Management and Communication experience along with Digital Marketing.

Validating the Approach:

• Feasibility: initially when we started working with Cardano Dev stack, we our selves experienced the challenge first hand.
• Feedback: While we approached community in various forums for solutionm in India, no such fourm found which is active online as offline in India, rather members agreed they facing same challenge
• Ecosystem: As the Cardano Ecosystem already have similar community hubs in different part of world and they have helped in community building, India having large pool of developer it can be much more feasible.

Trust and Accountability in Fund Management:

• Transparent Budgeting and Reporting: Detailed budget plans will be openly shared
• Stakeholder Engagement: Regular updates and feedback sessions with the Cardano community and stakeholders to maintain transparency and address concerns.

Steps to Ensure Trust:

1. Kick-off Meeting: With all stakeholders to align on goals, expectations, and reporting structure.
2. Regular Progress Updates: Through community forums, social media, and direct reports.
3. Mid-project Review: An in-depth review at the midpoint to assess progress and adjust strategies if necessary.
4. Final Report: Detailed project report and financial at the completion.

By combining our team's expertise with a rigorous approach to project management and stakeholder engagement, we believe we are well-positioned to deliver this project successfully. Our commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous communication ensures that we can be trusted to manage funds properly and achieve the project’s objectives.

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

Timeline: Month 1 and 2

Description:

Cardano India community Setup: Communication materials prepared

Deliverables/Output:

• A Community Website is prepared and hosted
• Social Media/forum accounts prepared on LinkedIn, X, Discord and Telegram
• Communication materials prepared
• Out reach on Social Media and active groups formed on Discord and Telegram
• community membership atleast 20
• First in person Meetup organized

Acceptance criteria: Cardano India Developers Community Website is created with social media accounts and 20 developers are member and one meetup is organized with attendance record.

>Month 3-4

First Cardo meetup

20 members in community

Timeline: Month 3 and 4

Description:

Cardano India Developers Community Expansion

Deliverables/Output:

• Digital Marketing Campaigns on Social Media
• Community Membership Increment
• Second Meetup is Organized
• Second online Workshop/training is organized
• Fist Webinar is organized with an expert or influencer from industry

Acceptance criteria: Cardano India Developers Community is growing to number 40 and a meetup happened. A Webinar with an expert or influencer with Members.

A Developers workshop/training happened

>Timeline: Month 5 and 6

Description:

Cardano India Developers Community Expansion

Deliverables/Output:

• Digital Marketing Campaigns on Social Media
• Community Membership Increment
• Third Meetup is Organized
• Second online Workshop/training is organized
• Second Webinar is organized with an expert or influencer from industry

Acceptance criteria: Cardano India Developers Community is growing to number 60 and a meetup happened. A Webinar with an expert or influencer with Members. A Developers workshop/training happened

>Timeline: Month 7 and 8

Description:

Cardano India Developers Community Expansion

Deliverables/Output:

• Digital Marketing Campaigns on Social Media
• Community Membership Increment
• Fourth Meetup is Organized
• Third online Workshop/training is organized
• One Day Event in person at Kolkata is organized with industry expert and influencer from industry. Project sponsorts are welcome. Other relevent Cardano forums will be encouraged to participate.

Acceptance criteria: Cardano India Developers Community is growing to number 100 and a meetup happened. One day event in parson with industry experts, project sponsors and Members. A Developers workshop/training happened

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

Our team is engaged on Telegram, Discord and Cardano Forums. Udai has relationships with Project Catalyst Fund operational and technical team members and are involved in various forums. Narendra is active participate in various technical forums on Discord.

Udai Solanki ( Program Manager, Community Manager, Workshop Trainer) ,

CTO at www.erevmax.com

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/solanki>

Technical Architect |Java Programmer|Plutus and Haskell Programmer

20+ years Technology and programming experience

2+ years Cardano Tech Stack experience

Narendra Das (Workshop Trainer)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/naren4das/

Technical Architect |Java Programmer|Plutus and Haskell Programmer

20+ years programming experience

2+ years Cardano Tech Stack experience

Neha Ginoria (Social Media Content Creator and Campaign Manager)

Events Marketing Director @ Cendyn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehaginoria/

18+ year Global Experience in Marketing, Communication and Event Management

Quotus software Solution, www.quotus.co.in (Website Design and Developement)

The company has team of web designer, web developers to build and manager community website.

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Milestone 1: Cardano India community Setup: Communication materials prepared.

Duration: 2 months

Community

Website Design and Development: 20 person days x $120 =$2,400

Content Preparation: 20 person days x $120 = $2,400

Social Media Marketing: 20 person days x $120 = $2,400

Project Coordination and Documentation: = $2,000

Meetup Organization Expenses =$800

Total: $10,000

Total ADA @ 0.38 = ADA 26,300

Milestone 2: Cardano India Developers Community Expansion

Duration: 2 months

Workshop Organizing and Trainer =$1,000

Content Preparation: 10 person days x $120 = $1,200

Social Media Marketing: 10 person days x $120 = $1,200

Developers Technical Support(Ad hoc) = $1,000

Webinar hosting with Expert = $800

Project Coordination and Documentation: = $2,000

Meetup Organization Expenses =$800

Total: $8,000

Total ADA @ 0.38 = ADA 21,000

Milestone 3: Cardano India Developers Community Expansion

Duration: 2 months

Workshop Organizing and Trainer =$1,000

Content Preparation: 10 person days x $120 = $1,200

Social Media Marketing: 10 person days x $120 = $1,200

Developers Technical Support(Ad hoc) = $1,000

Webinar hosting with Expert = $800

Project Coordination and Documentation: = $2,000

Meetup Organization Expenses =$800

Total: $8,000

Total ADA @ 0.38 = ADA 21,000

Milestone 4: Cardano India Developers Community Expansion

Duration: 2 months

Workshop Organizing and Trainer = $1,000

Content Preparation: 10 person days x $120 = $1,200

Social Media Marketing: 10 person days x $120 = $1,200

Developers Technical Support(Ad hoc) = $1,000

**One Day Event, Experts and Members with Venue = $**4,000

Project Coordination and Documentation: = $2,000

Meetup Organization Expenses =$800

Total: $11,200

Total ADA @ 0.38 = ADA 29,500

Total Budget $37,200

Total Budget ADA @ 0.38 = ADA 97,900

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

The Cost of the proposed project is less than 1% of the Category budget to bring Developers to Cardano Ecosystem to benefit community at large. This is an open source project, it will work in colloboration with community and increase active developers and support them.

For this smaller cost, Increasing Cardano awareness in India among large community of Developers and bringing more delvelopers for Cardano community. This community building program is initially suggested for 8 months and this may be sufficient to build base. This can have exponential impact on expanding developer network in India. In future, after 8 months, this community can self sustain with industry spoonsership and members contribution.

It brings indirect value by increasing Cadano blockchain adoption. As more developers are attacted to ecosystem and the developer scarcity is reduced that is immense value in terms of adoption to the Cardano Ecosystem.