Please describe your proposed solution

Problem Perception:

Mailing list management lacks privacy and security measures, exposing user data to potential breaches or misuse. Traditional systems do not offer adequate protection for sensitive information, leaving both individuals and organizations vulnerable.

Approach:

We aim to tackle this by leveraging Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) on Cardano's Midnight Network. ZKPs allow for the validation of information without revealing unnecessary details, ensuring user data remains private and secure. By integrating this into WordPress, one of the most popular content management systems, we can offer an accessible and scalable solution.

Engagement:

Our project will engage with two key audiences: WordPress website administrators and their users. Administrators will benefit from a privacy-centric mailing list tool, while end users can trust that their data is managed securely without compromise.

Demonstrating Impact:

We will demonstrate our impact by delivering a fully functional open-source plugin with core privacy features. Success will be measured through adoption rates within the WordPress community, alongside feedback from privacy-conscious organizations. We also plan to provide case studies and testimonials post-launch.

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

Value to the Cardano Community:

The success of WordPress ZKP Mail will demonstrate the power of Zero Knowledge Proofs on Cardano’s Midnight Network, promoting Cardano as a leader in privacy-centric blockchain solutions. By offering an open-source, privacy-focused mailing list solution for WordPress, we will directly benefit the broader web ecosystem while highlighting Cardano's technological strengths.

Measuring Impact:

We will measure the success through several key indicators:

• Number of installations and active users of the WP ZKP Mail plugin.
• Feedback from users regarding privacy and security enhancements.
• Contributions from the open-source community in terms of code, improvements, and suggestions.
• Engagement from privacy-focused organizations adopting the solution.

Sharing Outputs:

We will publish the core plugin as open-source on GitHub, allowing the wider community to access, use, and contribute. Additionally, we will share insights, findings, and any development roadmaps through blog posts, social media, and within the Cardano developer community.

Opportunities for collaboration and potential extensions of this privacy technology will also be explored with partners and other developers.

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 the Project:

Our team is highly equipped to deliver WP ZKP Mail, with a strong foundation in decentralized governance, Web3 development, and blockchain marketing.

Mihai Bărbulescu, a key member of the team, brings over 20 years of experience in remote collaborations and project management. His roles as an advisor at VeterinaryDAO, his work with SingularityNET, and his technical background in web development and blockchain technologies, make him well-suited to lead this project.

Additionally, Mihai has successfully implemented decentralized solutions, developed WordPress plugins, and spearheaded digital marketing efforts for Web3 companies. His technical expertise includes email marketing, quality assurance, and software development, all of which are vital to building the proposed mailing list management tool on the Cardano network.

Validating Feasibility:

We will validate feasibility through the following processes:

• Milestone tracking: We will set specific development and testing milestones, ensuring that each stage is completed on time and within budget.
• Regular updates: We will provide transparent progress reports to the Cardano community, ensuring accountability and trust.
• Financial management: Our team has successfully managed crowdfunding campaigns and external investments, demonstrating our capability to manage project funds responsibly.

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

Milestone 1: Initial Development Setup (Month 1)

A: Milestone outputs:

• Completion of project setup, repository creation, and initial codebase for WP ZKP Mail.
• Initial design and structure of the WordPress plugin framework.

B: Acceptance criteria:

• GitHub repository initialized with core structure.
• Basic plugin architecture in place.

C: Evidence of milestone completion:

• Public access to the repository and initial plugin files.

Milestone 2: Core Privacy Features & ZKP Integration (Months 2-3)

A: Milestone outputs:

• Integration of Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) functionality.
• Development of core privacy features such as encrypted user data handling and secure mailing list management.

B: Acceptance criteria:

• Demonstrable ZKP functionality integrated into the plugin.
• Secure data storage and mailing list features implemented.

C: Evidence of milestone completion:

• Code walkthrough video and demo showing ZKP integration.
• GitHub commits showing feature completion.

Milestone 3: Front-End User Interface (Month 4)

A: Milestone outputs:

• Development of the front-end interface for plugin users (WordPress admins).
• Basic UI/UX for managing mailing lists and privacy settings.

B: Acceptance criteria:

• Functional front-end UI allowing users to configure and manage the plugin.

C: Evidence of milestone completion:

• Screenshots and video demo of UI functionalities.
• GitHub commits for front-end development.

Milestone 4: Beta Testing and Feedback (Month 5)

A: Milestone outputs:

• Plugin released to a select group of users for beta testing.
• Collection of user feedback and issue tracking.

B: Acceptance criteria:

• Feedback forms distributed and responses gathered.
• Issues reported and addressed in GitHub.

C: Evidence of milestone completion:

• Beta tester feedback report and resolved issues.

Milestone 5: Final Feature Development & Documentation (Month 6)

A: Milestone outputs:

• Completion of any additional requested features.
• Full documentation, including user guides and installation instructions.

B: Acceptance criteria:

• Documentation published and features finalized.

C: Evidence of milestone completion:

• Completed documentation uploaded to GitHub.
• Final version of the plugin ready for release.

Final Milestone: Project Close-out Report and Video

A: Milestone outputs:

• Project completion report.
• Video demonstration of the final product.

B: Acceptance criteria:

• Submission of a close-out report and demonstration video to Cardano Catalyst.

C: Evidence of milestone completion:

• Report and video submission confirmation.

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

Mihai Bărbulescu

• Role: Project Lead & Technical Lead
• LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/mihaibarbulescu/>
• Responsibilities: Mihai will oversee the project’s development, including Zero Knowledge Proof integration and WordPress plugin development. With extensive experience in decentralized governance, blockchain marketing, and over 20 years in software development and remote collaborations, Mihai brings the technical and leadership skills required to drive the project forward. His background includes significant work in WordPress development, email marketing, and blockchain solutions.

Additional team members will be recruited as needed, focusing on specific areas such as front-end development and UI/UX design, depending on the project’s technical requirements.

Engagement with Resources:

We are already in active communication with key members of the Cardano technical community and other blockchain developers to ensure that the integration with the Midnight Network and Cardano’s infrastructure is seamless.

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Development Costs (50,000 ADA):

• Back-End Development (ZKP Integration): 20,000 ADA
• Integration of Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology into the WordPress plugin.
• Front-End Development (UI/UX for Plugin): 15,000 ADA
• Designing and building the interface for managing mailing lists and privacy settings.
• Testing and Debugging: 10,000 ADA
• Beta testing, bug fixes, and ensuring the functionality of the plugin.
• Documentation and Support: 5,000 ADA
• Writing user manuals, installation guides, and providing initial user support.

Marketing &amp; Community Engagement (15,000 ADA):

• Community Outreach &amp; Promotion: 10,000 ADA
• Engaging with the Cardano community and WordPress users through social media, blog posts, and presentations.
• Website and Content Creation: 5,000 ADA
• Creating a dedicated website to promote WP ZKP Mail and provide resources for users.

Miscellaneous &amp; Contingencies (10,000 ADA):

• Licenses and Subscriptions: 2,500 ADA
• Costs related to any software tools or licenses required during development.
• Project Management &amp; Administrative: 5,000 ADA
• Overseeing the project’s timeline and ensuring deliverables are met.
• Contingency Fund: 2,500 ADA
• Allocated for any unforeseen costs.

Our project is dependent on the availability and stability of Cardano's Midnight Network, as it provides the Zero Knowledge Proof technology essential for ensuring secure, privacy-focused mailing list management.

Without Midnight, the core privacy functionality of WP ZKP Mail cannot be implemented effectively. This dependency is crucial to deliver on the promise of decentralized and private mailing list management.

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

The proposed cost of 75,000 ADA offers significant value for the Cardano ecosystem by delivering a privacy-focused, decentralized solution that can scale across a wide range of WordPress users. WP ZKP Mail not only enhances security but also showcases the integration potential of Cardano’s partner chain Midnight Network, promoting wider blockchain adoption.

The costs are aligned with industry standards:

• Development costs reflect competitive freelance rates for blockchain developers and WordPress specialists. The integration of advanced cryptographic techniques like Zero Knowledge Proofs requires specialized skills, justifying the associated costs.
• Marketing and community engagement costs ensure that we reach a large audience, both within the Cardano ecosystem and the broader WordPress community, helping to promote Cardano’s strengths in privacy-focused solutions.
• Administrative and contingency funds are allocated to ensure smooth project management and mitigate risks, thus ensuring the project stays on track.

This project represents a long-term investment in privacy tools and blockchain solutions that will benefit both Cardano and the broader decentralized web ecosystem. By open-sourcing the core technology, the community can extend and enhance the project, maximizing its value.