Please describe your proposed solution

The objective is to equip 200 SMES with the necessary digital marketing skills and practically the use of AI empowered marketing tools for business sustainability, scalability and profitability. As part of the training, a course will be taught on Cardano blockchain. The course will introduce participants to Cardano and Project Catalyst, and will provide participants with all the information they need to become active members of the Cardano community. This initiative will contribute to the growth of the Cardano ecosystem in Ghana.

The training will accommodate at least 200 SMEs, with 25 participants per session held in 10 sessions for 2 days each. This will be bi-monthly for 5 months We define SMEs as businesses with employees of less than 10 for the purposes of this assignment who will be contacted using business associations and lead generation AI tools.

Our approach unfolds in four stages:

Stage 1: Inception Activities:

• Engage SME Associations to introduce the project whilst gathering data on the state of SME in line with digital marketing activities.
• Develop a registration form.
• Create a training plan which would include the potential numbers and scheduling of training days and modules.

Stage 2: Training Material Design:

• Develop pre/post-test questionnaires to ascertain their current knowledge on digital marketing tools and AI powered tools. This will inform details or emphasis during the training.
• Develop training materials; Training manuals, presentation slides, handout, checklists.
• Materials on Cardano and Project Catalyst will be curated from the various online sources and from the Catalyst knowledge base.
• Practical Hands-on support to create and use digital AI tools and digital platforms.
• SME training outcome assessment tool.

Stage 3: Training Delivery and Reporting:

• Deliver training and support SMEs to use optimally digital platforms and AI marketing tools and Cardano Blockchain.
• Conduct a post training test to ascertain their knowledge gained on digital marketing and Cardano

Stage 4: Project Close Out

• Generate project close-out report for Project Catalyst.
• Generate project close out videos

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

The success of the project brings this value to the Cardano Community

1. Increase in awareness of Cardano and Project Catalyst
2. Increase in uptake of Ada
3. Increase in digital knowledge including Block chain technology.
4. Increase in new members from Ghana who can contribute meaningfully to the community
5. Increase in innovative ideas from entrepreneurs

The impact of the training will be measured by:

a. Number of participants in the training sessions.

b. Feedback from the participants using the assessment tool to evaluate the training.

c. Number of SMEs confidently managing their existing digital platforms or setting up a digital platform account.

We share outputs on you-tube and with Project Catalyst

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?

Faakor Fiadzigbey is an experienced trainer in the SME sector and led several trainings. She is the Senior Consultant with key people working under her handling various technical training areas such as digital marketing. Faakor has been part of the Cardano community since Fund 8 during which she was a Community Assessor (CA). She was also a challenge team member for the Grow Africa, Grow Cardano challenge in Fund 8 and a CA in Fund 9 as well. She is a Human Resources Management Practitioner by profession. Faakor also led the project on Cardano for the Francophone Community and Feasibility study; creating blockchain based digital platform for NGOs in Ghana. She has over 15 years' experience as a CEO managing various funds from development projects.

Telegram: @Fax660

https://www.linkedin.com/in/faakor-fiadzigbey-b9b09328/

Stella Myers is a management consultant by profession with over 10 years of experience. Stella as part of a team of consultants designed digital courses and delivered training in client on-boarding clients unto digital platform and digital marketing for clients in the financial sector. She is also a member of the Cardano community.

Telegram: Stella Myers

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-myers-481bb315/>

Please include the steps or processes that demonstrate that you can be trusted to manage funds properly.

The team has implemented two successfully projects:

a. Feasibility Study on Creating a Blockchain Based Information Platform for NGOs

b. Reaching the Francophone Community in Ghana (Completed)

The team is also made up of seasoned consultants with project management abilities from managing various projects funded and completed them successfully.

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

Milestone 1: Presented are the Outputs of milestones 1:

• Engage with SME Associations
• Develop a registration form
• Create a training plan

Acceptance criteria

a. Training Plan and brief report (1 pager) on discussion with SME Associations

Evidence of milestone completion

Submission of Training plan and brief report on engagement with SME Associations.

Milestone 2: Presented are the Outputs of milestones 2:

• Pre/post-test questionnaires
• Training materials
• SME training outcome assessment tool.

Acceptance criteria

a. PDF of Training Materials

Evidence of milestone completion

Submission of Training Materials to projectcatalyst.io

Milestone 3: Milestone Outputs

• Training Delivery to 200 SMEs
• Conduct a post training test to ascertain their knowledge gained on digital marketing and Cardano

Acceptance criteria

a. Videos from training

b. Pictures from training

b. Pdf Completed assessment Tool

Evidence of milestone completion

Submission of pdf completed assessment tool, short videos and pictures to Project Catalyst

Final Milestone: Milestone output: Project Close Out

Develop Project Close-out Report and Project Close-out Video (PCR and PCV)

Acceptance criteria

• PCR and PCV

Evidence of milestone completion

• Submission of close out report to Project Catalyst

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

Fakor Fiadzigbey Team Lead and Co-Facilitator

Telegram: @Fax660

https://www.linkedin.com/in/faakor-fiadzigbey-b9b09328/

Stella Seyram Dzandu- Training Coordinator and Content Developer

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-myers-481bb315/>

Mawuli Alormenu- Facilitator

linkedin.com/in/mawuli-alomenu-1687389

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

No

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

The allocated costs and days are proportionate to the volume of work required by the professionals involved, with expenses carefully aligned to the efforts spent on training design, delivery, and reporting. In light of Ghana's fluctuating but rising business expenses, the costs reflect average market rates. The team is compensated fairly for their contributions in both designing the training and executing each task.

Training SMEs presents a significant opportunity for Cardano to enhance its visibility and achieve its objectives. Expanding knowledge within self-employed communities opens up broader avenues for Cardano’s growth across various sectors of the Ghanaian economy.