Please describe your proposed solution

Brazil, despite being the largest economy and market in Latin America, still has low representation in the Cardano ecosystem, mainly due to the lack of accessible content in Portuguese. Global Town Halls and discussions about Cardano are predominantly held in English or Spanish, creating language barriers that limit active participation from Brazilians. The absence of regular events and relevant content in Portuguese prevents the sustainable growth and engagement of the Brazilian community.

Approach:

Our solution is to create a continuous program of biweekly events, including:

1. Twitter Spaces: These live events, held every two weeks, will offer informal discussions in Portuguese on decentralized governance, blockchain, Cardano use cases in Brazil and worldwide, among other topics. The dynamic format will allow direct interaction with the community.
2. Portuguese-language Town Halls: Also held biweekly, these structured meetings will provide a space for the Brazilian community to discuss proposals, ideas, and give feedback on projects within the Cardano ecosystem. In addition to promoting inclusion, these Town Halls will strengthen the voice of Brazilians in global decision-making.
3. Content published on the GovChainLab Substack: Summaries of the Spaces and Town Halls will be published, ensuring continued accessibility to the topics discussed. We will also publish two monthly articles addressing relevant topics for the community, such as cryptocurrency regulation in Brazil and local case studies.

Who Will Benefit:

This project will primarily benefit the Brazilian community, which represents a largely untapped potential for Cardano. With content and events in Portuguese, native speakers will be able to engage more consistently and actively within the ecosystem. New users, who previously faced difficulties accessing information about Cardano, will have access to an inclusive space for learning and participation.

Impact and Proof of Success:

Our impact will be measured by:

• Number of participants in events: We will track attendance at both Spaces and Town Halls.
• Engagement on social media: We will monitor interactions, shares, and feedback related to the content produced.
• Community growth: We aim to increase Brazilian participation in platforms like Telegram and Discord, while promoting integration with the global Cardano community.
• Direct feedback from the community: We will collect suggestions and testimonials to adjust and improve the events over time.

What Makes Our Solution Unique:

The focus on regular events in Portuguese with a structured approach is what sets this project apart. While many Cardano events are held in English, limiting the Brazilian audience, our project is entirely focused on creating an accessible and inclusive environment. This will allow the Brazilian community to contribute more significantly to the global Cardano ecosystem, while expanding the use of the technology in the country.

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

The Empowering Community Hub Cardano in Brazil project will generate significant value for the wider Cardano community by fostering greater engagement and inclusion of Portuguese speakers, particularly in Brazil, a key emerging market in Latin America. By offering consistent, accessible content in Portuguese through Twitter Spaces, Town Halls, and published articles, the project will help bridge the language gap, promoting broader participation in the global Cardano ecosystem.

Measuring Impact:

We will assess the project’s success through both quantitative and qualitative metrics:

• Quantitative Metrics:

• Participation in events: Track the number of attendees in biweekly Twitter Spaces and Town Halls, with an aim to see steady growth over time.

• Social media engagement: Monitor likes, shares, retweets, and comments on Twitter related to the events and published articles.

• Growth of community channels: Measure the increase in Brazilian members on Telegram, Discord, and other relevant community channels.

• Content reach: Analyze readership metrics for the articles and summaries published on the GovChainLab Substack, such as views, shares, and subscriptions.

• Qualitative Metrics:

• Community feedback: Collect testimonials and feedback from participants during and after events to evaluate satisfaction and areas for improvement.

• Engagement quality: Monitor the depth of conversations and contributions from the community, evaluating how the events stimulate meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

• Collaborative initiatives: Track the number of new projects or initiatives that emerge from discussions within the community as a result of the events.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• GovChainLab Substack: We will publish summaries of all Twitter Spaces and Town Halls on our Substack, ensuring that those who could not attend the live events can still access the key insights and discussions.
• Social Media: We will use platforms like Twitter, Telegram, and Discord to distribute the outputs, ensuring the content reaches a broad audience. Regular updates and opportunities for community involvement will be shared across these channels.
• Community Collaborations: Through our events, we will encourage collaborations between members of the Brazilian and global Cardano community, highlighting these projects in our content and providing opportunities for exposure.

By creating an inclusive and accessible platform for Brazilian users, this project will foster stronger ties between the local and global Cardano community, driving long-term growth, adoption, and innovation within the ecosystem.

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?

Capability to Deliver with Trust and Accountability

The successful execution of the initial project funded by the Intersect Education and Multimedia Grant exemplifies the strong foundation of trust and accountability established by pioneering members Daniela Alves and Maria Carmo. Their proven track record within the Cardano community, coupled with their deep understanding of decentralized governance, positions them well to lead this new phase of the project.

Achievements Under Intersect

1. Creation of GovChainLab: Under the Education and Multimedia Grant, Daniela and Maria successfully launched GovChainLab, a platform dedicated to developing educational materials on decentralized governance. This initiative has included the production of online and in-person workshops, as well as informative content on Substack and tutorial videos in Portuguese, significantly expanding educational outreach. For more details, visit GovChainLab Substack.

1. Successful Workshops and Events:

• DRep Pioneer Workshop: Co-organized by Daniela in partnership with the Institute of Technology and Society, this workshop in Rio de Janeiro generated substantial interest and led to future collaborative opportunities. More information can be found here.

• Local Event in Curitiba: Held at the Hard Rock Café, this event focused on decentralization in the Cardano ecosystem and received high praise, sparking interest from other institutions for future collaborations. Learn more about the event here.

• Constitutional Workshop in São Paulo: This workshop, co-organized with ESPM, marked a milestone in discussions about decentralized governance and led to requests for additional activities. Details are available here.

• Insper Workshop: A workshop on Cardano governance was successfully conducted at Insper, further contributing to the community's understanding of decentralized governance. More details can be found here.
• Online Workshop with the Youth of Portuguese-Speaking Countries: This collaborative online workshop reached participants from five countries, promoting a broader understanding of decentralized governance across the Portuguese-speaking world. More information is available here.
• Presentation at ExpoBlockchain: A presentation was delivered at ExpoBlockchain, highlighting the initiatives of GovChainLab and engaging a diverse audience in discussions about decentralized governance. Details can be found here.

Profiles of Daniela Alves and Maria Carmo

• Maria Carmo: brings extensive and diverse experience within the Cardano ecosystem and Intersect, showcasing her unwavering commitment to promoting Cardano in Brazil. Her significant contributions include:

• Cofounder of Cardanistas Pool: This initiative plays a vital role in the Cardano network, contributing to transaction processing and educational content creation through weekly live sessions.

• Cofounder of Lovelace Academy: This platform provides free educational resources about Plutus, enhancing accessibility for the community.

• Cardano for Beginners Course: A practical introduction to Cardano available on Cardano Feed, aimed at helping newcomers navigate the ecosystem.

• Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/mariacarmo369

• Daniela Alves: A dedicated member of the Brazilian Cardano community since 2021, Daniela has actively contributed to Catalyst reviews and community events, focusing on decentralization and governance. As a pioneering member of Intersect, she has collaborated on projects aimed at expanding decentralized governance within the Cardano ecosystem.

Both Daniela and Maria’s active engagement in the Cardano community since its inception, alongside their roles as pioneering members of Intersect, establish a strong capability for delivering projects with trust and accountability.

Validation of Feasibility

To validate the feasibility of the approach and ensure continued success, the following strategies will be implemented:

1. Community Engagement Metrics: Regularly track participation levels in online and offline educational initiatives, assessing community involvement and interest.
2. Feedback Mechanisms: Collect qualitative and quantitative feedback from participants to gauge the effectiveness of educational resources and events. This will provide insights into areas for improvement and adaptation.
3. Promotional Campaign Monitoring: The planned promotional campaign at Shopping Cidade São Paulo will employ unique QR codes for each advertisement, allowing for precise tracking of engagement and conversion rates. This data will inform future marketing strategies and enhance overall campaign effectiveness.
4. Continuous Collaboration: Building on previous partnerships formed under the Intersect funding, ongoing collaborations with institutions such as Insper, ESPM, and the Institute of Technology and Society will ensure a strong support network, further validating the approach and enhancing credibility.

By leveraging proven expertise and effective strategies, the project aims to deliver a significant impact within the Cardano community, fostering informed participation in governance and strengthening the ecosystem as a whole.

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

Milestone 1: Milestone 1: Planning and Strategy Finalization (Month 1)

Cost: 25%

• Activities:
• Finalize the content strategy for Twitter Spaces and Town Halls for the full 5-month period.
• Confirm guest speakers and community leaders for the first two months of events.
• Establish metrics and methods for tracking engagement, participation, and feedback throughout the project.
• Develop a promotional plan to increase awareness and drive attendance to the first events.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Complete event schedule for 5 months confirmed and published.
• Guest speakers and community contributors for initial events confirmed.
• Engagement tracking system and promotion plan in place.

Milestone 2: Milestone 2: First Round of Twitter Spaces and Town Halls (Month 2)

Cost: 25%

• Activities:
• Conduct the first two biweekly Twitter Spaces and the first Town Hall.
• Publish summaries of the events on Substack.
• Begin collecting feedback and engagement data.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Two Twitter Spaces and 1 Town Hall completed.
• Event summaries published on Substack.
• Initial feedback and engagement metrics collected.

Milestone 3: Milestone 3: Engagement and Content Expansion (Month 3)

Cost: 20%

• Activities:
• Host two additional Twitter Spaces and the second Town Hall.
• Publish two articles on Substack related to Cardano governance and community topics.
• Continue gathering and analyzing feedback.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Two additional Spaces and 1 Town Hall conducted.
• Two new articles published on Substack.
• Feedback and engagement report delivered.

Milestone 4: Milestone 4: Ongoing Events and Final Preparations (Month 4)

Cost: 10%

• Activities:
• Host two more Twitter Spaces and the third Town Hall.
• Continue publishing event summaries and tracking community involvement.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Two more Spaces and 1 Town Hall completed.
• Summaries published and participation impact measured.

Final Milestone: Final Milestone: Project Close-out and Final Report (Month 5)

Cost: 20%

• Activities:
• Conduct the final two Twitter Spaces and the last Town Hall.
• Compile a final report summarizing outcomes, including participation data, feedback, and impact.
• Submit a video summarizing the project's success.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Final events held (2 Spaces and 1 Town Hall).
• Close-out report and video submitted.
• All outputs published on Substack.

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

Our project team is composed of experienced professionals with a strong background in education, communication, and blockchain governance. Each member brings unique expertise to ensure the successful execution of this proposal. Below is a detailed breakdown of the team members and their roles:

1. Maria Carmo – Content Creator and Educator

• Role: Maria will be responsible for creating the educational content (tutorials, videos, and articles), managing the online workshops, and leading community engagement. She will ensure that all content is accessible and relevant to the community, particularly in the context of decentralized governance.
• Experience: Maria is a pioneer in the Catalyst Fund and a former Cardano Ambassador. She has extensive experience in creating educational materials and fostering community engagement within the Cardano ecosystem.
• LinkedIn Profile: Maria Carmo LinkedIn
• YouTube Channels: MariaCarmo369, Cardanistas

2. Daniela Alves – Communication and Governance Specialist

• Role: Daniela will manage external communication, partnerships, and community relations. She will focus on expanding our partnerships with other initiatives and educational institutions, ensuring that the content is aligned with the governance needs of the Cardano community.
• Experience: Daniela has a background in communication, governance, and education. She has appeared on Brazilian TV networks and taught at IBMEC-SP. Daniela is a dedicated participant in the Web3 space and has been actively involved in the Cardano community since 2021.
• LinkedIn Profile: Daniela Alves LinkedIn
• Public Mention of Governance Work: Twitter Link

Additional Recruitment:

• Skills Needed: We may recruit one or two additional team members if needed to support specific aspects of the project. We will be looking for the following skills:
• Video Editing and Content Production: To ensure that the tutorials and video content are professionally produced and optimized for online platforms.
• Community Management: To assist with engagement on Discord, Twitter, and other platforms, responding to feedback, and maintaining the momentum of the project.
• We have already engaged with key collaborators within the community and are in active discussions with potential contributors who possess these skills, ensuring they are willing and available to support the project when needed.

Technical Support and Community Engagement:

• We are actively engaged in several technical and governance-focused groups on Discord and Telegram channels related to Cardano and Catalyst. Through these groups, we maintain a direct line of communication with key members of the technical and governance community, which will help in delivering high-quality content and workshops that meet the needs of the broader ecosystem.

Transparency and Verification:

• All team members and contributors are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities within this project. We have taken the necessary steps to secure their commitment and ensure they have the capacity to support the initiative.
• Our team is ready for the necessary verifications and transparency processes required by Catalyst, and we will provide any additional information required for the funding approval.
• By leveraging our combined experience, network of partnerships, and active community engagement, we are well-positioned to deliver this project effectively and with high levels of trust and accountability.

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

1. Facilitators for Twitter Spaces and Town Halls:

• Facilitators (Town Halls): $250 USD per facilitator, per event.
• 3 facilitators per Town Hall, 5 Town Halls:
• Total: $3,750 USD (10,550 ADA).
• Facilitators (Twitter Spaces): $200 USD per facilitator, per event.
• 3 facilitators per Twitter Space, 10 Twitter Spaces:
• Total: $6,000 USD (16,883 ADA).

Total for Facilitators: $9,750 USD (27,433 ADA)

2. Content Creation and Publication:

• Event Summaries: Summaries of each Twitter Space and Town Hall will be written and published on Substack.
• 10 summaries (1 per event): $150 USD per summary.
• Total for summaries: $1,500 USD (4,218 ADA).
• Monthly Articles: Two in-depth articles will be published each month.
• 10 articles total (2 per month): $200 USD per article.
• Total for articles: $2,000 USD (5,628 ADA).

Total for Content Creation: $3,500 USD (9,846 ADA)

3. Marketing and Promotion:

• Paid Ads and Social Media Promotion: To drive awareness and attendance for the Twitter Spaces and Town Halls, promotion will be run on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram.
• Estimated cost for 5 months of paid ads: $2,500 USD (7,033 ADA).
• Community Outreach and Partnerships: Collaborating with influencers, crypto groups, and other key players in the Brazilian Cardano ecosystem to boost event visibility and reach.
• Allocated budget: $1,500 USD (4,218 ADA).

Total for Marketing and Promotion: $4,000 USD (11,251 ADA)

4. Community Engagement Tools (Form Creation and Analysis):

• Form Creation: Designing feedback forms to gather input after each event, tailored to understand community needs and event effectiveness.
• Estimated cost: $400 USD (1,125 ADA).
• Form Analysis: Analyzing the feedback data to assess impact, engagement, and areas for improvement.
• Estimated cost: $350 USD (985 ADA).
• Social Media Management Tools: Tools such as Hootsuite or Buffer for managing event promotions and community interactions on social platforms.
• Subscription cost for 5 months: $500 USD (1,406 ADA).
• Analytics Tools: To track audience engagement, growth, and performance metrics across social media.
• Estimated cost: $750 USD (2,109 ADA).

Total for Community Engagement Tools: $2,000 USD (5,625 ADA)

5. Project Management & Reporting:

• Project Manager: Responsible for managing the project timeline, coordinating speakers, and ensuring smooth execution of events and content creation.
• $500 USD per month for 5 months.
• Total for project management: $2,500 USD (7,033 ADA).
• Reporting: Creation of final project reports, including detailed data on engagement, event participation, and project outcomes. This includes a final close-out report and video summarizing the project’s achievements.
• Final report and video preparation: $1,500 USD (4,218 ADA).

Total for Project Management & Reporting: $4,000 USD (11,251 ADA)

6. Contingency and Miscellaneous Costs:

• Contingency Fund: For any unforeseen expenses, such as additional marketing needs, increased event costs, or expanded partnerships.
• Estimated at 5% of total budget: $924 USD (3,305 ADA).

Total Contingency: $924 USD (3,305 ADA)

Budget Overview:

1. Facilitators for Town Halls & Twitter Spaces: 27,433 ADA
2. Content Creation and Publication: 9,846 ADA
3. Marketing and Promotion: 11,251 ADA
4. Community Engagement Tools: 5,625 ADA
5. Project Management & Reporting: 11,251 ADA
6. Contingency and Miscellaneous Costs: 3,305 ADA

Total Budget: 68,000 ADA (approx. $24,174 USD)

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

The Empowering Community Hub Cardano in Brazil project represents excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem due to several factors:

1. Cost Efficiency and Scalability:

• The project’s core activities—Twitter Spaces, Town Halls, and content publication—are relatively low-cost but have high impact in terms of community engagement, education, and accessibility. Each event and publication helps bridge the current gap in Portuguese-language content and engagement for the Cardano community in Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America.
• With three facilitators per event, we ensure high-quality, interactive sessions that are both engaging and educational. These events will be strategically promoted, reaching a broad audience and fostering further growth in the Cardano ecosystem.

2. Fair and Transparent Compensation:

• The rates for facilitators, content creators, and project managers are aligned with industry standards in Brazil. Facilitators for each event are compensated at $200 to $250 per event, which is in line with the typical freelance rates for professional services in the educational and technology sectors.
• Content creation costs ($150–$200 per summary/article) reflect market-competitive rates for high-quality research, writing, and publication, ensuring professional outputs without inflating costs.
• The project management rate of $500 per month is also reasonable and ensures continuous coordination and smooth execution of the project over the five months.

3. Strategic Impact:

• Brazil has over 200 million inhabitants, making it a critical market for the expansion of the Cardano ecosystem. By focusing on this untapped market, the project offers an enormous return on investment in terms of community growth and engagement.
• The lack of Portuguese-language content and events has been a significant barrier for the Brazilian community. This project directly addresses that gap and will help the ecosystem grow in a region where crypto adoption is rapidly expanding.

4. Long-Term Value:

• The consistent output of educational materials, event summaries, and articles will continue to benefit the Cardano ecosystem well beyond the duration of this project. The content will remain accessible on the GovChainLab Substack and social media, contributing to long-term knowledge sharing and community involvement.
• The cost of promotion and social media management is carefully calculated to maximize event visibility and participation, ensuring that funds are allocated where they generate the most impact.

5. Proportionality to Results:

• The total cost of 68,000 ADA (~$24,174 USD) represents a well-balanced investment given the strategic importance of Brazil in the Cardano ecosystem. With targeted events, quality content, and engagement tools, this project will build a sustainable and active community that supports the wider goals of decentralization and adoption of Cardano technology.

In summary, the cost of the project is proportional to the expected outcomes and provides value for money by expanding the Cardano ecosystem in Brazil in a meaningful, scalable way.