Please describe your proposed solution
Introduction to APRENDO (formerly Proof of Integrity)
APRENDO is a non-profit organization committed to addressing the critical issue of limited blockchain knowledge and accessibility in vulnerable communities across Latin America. Despite the increasing interest in digital currencies and blockchain technologies, these communities often remain disconnected due to educational and resource constraints.
A cornerstone of our efforts is the #APRENDOcripto program, which delivers in-person blockchain education to underprivileged sectors. #APRENDOcripto is a cycle of 4 in-person workshops with theoretical and practical content, where participants learn about personal finance, blockchain technology, and artificial intelligence through self-organized learning pedagogical strategies.
Upon completing the program, graduates become part of #comunidadAPRENDO, our dynamic online postgraduate community. This community plays a vital role in fostering social inclusion and facilitating ongoing personal and professional development. To enhance engagement and enrich the learning experience, #comunidadAPRENDO utilizes gamification techniques and quests, making the educational process more interactive and impactful. These strategies deepen participants' understanding and promote the practical application of skills in various settings.
#APRENDOcripto's Impact
#APRENDOcripto has already made a significant impact:
- 635 Graduates
- 28 Venues across 4 Countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Honduras & Uruguay)
- 36 Editions Conducted
- 48% Women’s Participation
As we continue through 2024, APRENDO is actively expanding its reach, with plans to engage communities in 15 different Latin American countries by year's end.
Solution Overview: A Comprehensive Four-Part Strategy
APRENDO tackles the significant gap in blockchain education and hands-on experience with Cardano in Latin America, specifically targeting underprivileged communities. To effectively bridge this educational divide and empower these communities, we have developed a strategic four-part approach:
- Part 1: Integrating Cardano into #APRENDOcripto Curriculum - This initiative enhances our curriculum with dedicated Cardano modules, ensuring participants receive foundational and advanced insights into blockchain technology.
- Part 2: Expanding #comunidadAPRENDO Through Cardano-Specific Quests - We leverage quest-based learning to provide practical, hands-on experiences with Cardano’s technology, helping participants apply their knowledge in tangible settings.
- Part 3: Leveraging Cardano for Environmental Sustainability - By collaborating with sustainability projects within the Cardano ecosystem, we integrate environmental consciousness into our blockchain education, linking digital skills with sustainable actions.
- Part 4: Cardano Open Project Showcases - Our online showcases highlight innovative projects within the Cardano ecosystem, inspiring participants and connecting them with broader blockchain community initiatives.
Each element of this strategy not only enhances knowledge but also fosters practical engagement, ensuring that participants are equipped to contribute to and benefit from the digital economy. This approach aims to promote socio-economic empowerment and increase digital inclusivity across Latin America.
Part 1: Integrating Cardano into #APRENDOcripto Curriculum
In an effort to broaden our educational scope, #APRENDOcripto will integrate dedicated Cardano modules into the curriculum. This new addition is designed to furnish students with a foundational understanding of Cardano’s principles, history and ecosystem. Enhancing their learning journey and preparing them for practical post-course applications.
Scheduled rollout:
From August to December 2024, we will roll out 20 editions of #APRENDOcripto across 10 countries in Latin America. This initiative is set to impact over 400 students from underserved communities, providing them with valuable Cardano insights through in-person sessions tailored to their local environments.
Curriculum Details:
The Cardano content within the #APRENDOcripto curriculum will be accessible and designed for beginners, and will introduce key concepts in a straightforward manner:
- What is Cardano?
- Explanation of what Cardano is and why it matters in the blockchain space.
- Overview of how Cardano differs from other blockchain technologies, focusing on its design to be secure, sustainable, and scalable.
- Cardano's Practical Use Cases:
- Discussion on how Cardano can be used in real-world applications.
- Examples of successful projects built on Cardano, emphasizing its capabilities and adaptability.
Part 2: Expanding #comunidadAPRENDO Through Cardano-Specific Quests
Expanding Practical Engagement
Our #comunidadAPRENDO initiative has successfully implemented a quest-based learning framework, currently featuring seven active learning challenges (quests) on our Discord server. These quests have provided participants with hands-on experience in navigating the blockchain ecosystem in a risk-free environment. Each quest is meticulously managed to ensure effective incentive distribution and participant engagement.
With the support of the broader Cardano community and through this proposal to Project Catalyst, we are actively seeking funding to significantly expand our practical engagements focused specifically on the Cardano ecosystem. Although the first of our five Cardano-specific quests has already commenced with generous funding from the Hosky Token project (See Announcement), we are seeking additional financial support to fully develop and implement all five quests.
This comprehensive initiative aims to deeply integrate Cardano technology within our community. Our quest initiatives are transparently detailed on our Notion page, where we invite community contributions and collaborations to realize these educational opportunities.
Cardano Quests: A Specialized Learning Pathway
Building on the dynamic learning environment of #comunidadAPRENDO, we are introducing a specialized Cardano track. This new track will offer practical, hands-on experiences using Cardano’s technology. Over the next six months, we plan to engage 700 members of the #comunidadAPRENDO in this track, anticipating that approximately 100 members will complete all five quests, resulting in a total of 500 completed quests. The structured pathway for the Cardano track includes:
- Wallet Setup and Test Transactions in Cardano: Participants set up and secure their own Cardano wallet, then execute transactions using ADA on Cardano’s testnet. This quest provides a practical understanding of blockchain operations and digital asset management in a controlled, risk-free environment.
- NFT Creation on Cardano: Participants learn the complete process of designing and minting their own NFTs on Cardano. This quest covers each step from initial concept to final minting, demonstrating the integration of creativity with blockchain technology.
- Staking Strategies in Cardano: Participants explore various staking projects within the Cardano ecosystem, select one that aligns with their interests, and learn practical staking techniques to contribute to network security and earn rewards.
- Exploring DEFI in Cardano: Participants will engage hands-on by conducting a swap transaction, setting limit orders, and implementing a dollar-cost averaging strategy within various DeFi applications. Through these activities, they will learn to manage financial transactions and investments safely, gaining essential skills for navigating and maximizing the DeFi ecosystem.
- Governance in Cardano: Participants will first watch a dynamic lecture on Cardano's governance mechanisms, followed by a quiz to reinforce key concepts learned. The quest concludes with a hands-on exercise where participants craft their own mock governance proposals, which they will then share and discuss in our community forum.
Rewards and Real-World Application
To motivate and reward active participation, members completing each quest will receive incentives in ADA, linking educational achievements with real-world applications and benefits. These rewards not only encourage continued engagement but also provide practical experience in managing digital assets within the Cardano ecosystem. Importantly, this financial support can be particularly beneficial for our participants who come from contexts of vulnerability, helping to alleviate some economic pressures and empowering them through financial inclusion in the digital economy.
Details on the distribution of ADA rewards are outlined in the "Budget & Costs" section of this proposal, ensuring transparency and accountability in how these funds are allocated.
Part 3: Leveraging Cardano for Environmental Sustainability
As part of our ongoing efforts to integrate practical blockchain applications with social and environmental initiatives, APRENDO will collaborate with sustainability projects within the Cardano ecosystem. These projects are dedicated to enhancing environmental awareness and action through blockchain technology, rewarding participants with Cardano NFTs for their contributions to sustainability initiatives.
Post-Course Environmental Initiatives
Upon completion of selected editions of the #APRENDOcripto program, we will engage with Cardano-based sustainability projects to conduct environmental activities tailored to the specific needs of those regions. These initiatives, which could include tree planting, local green space maintenance, and other sustainability actions, are designed to extend the impact of the curriculum by directly engaging participants in meaningful environmental actions.
Recognition through NFTs on Cardano
To recognize and validate the contributions of participants in these environmental initiatives, our Cardano ecosystem partners will mint special NFTs on the Cardano blockchain. These NFTs serve as more than digital acknowledgments of the participants' efforts and achievements; they are part of a collectible series that offers participants the opportunity to trade or sell, thus enhancing their engagement and appreciation of sustainability efforts.
This approach not only rewards participants but also broadens their understanding of the economic potentials of blockchain technology. By making these NFTs exchangeable, we provide an additional incentive for participation while emphasizing the primary goal of fostering meaningful environmental actions. Integrating these initiatives into APRENDO helps demonstrate the tangible benefits of blockchain technology beyond its financial applications, encouraging participants to continue engaging in activities that have a positive impact on their communities and the environment.
Limited Scope and Focused Impact
It is important to note that this environmental initiative is planned for implementation in only five specific editions of the #APRENDOcripto program. This selective approach allows us to focus our resources on editions that are optimally positioned to maximize both educational and environmental impacts. By concentrating on these targeted initiatives, we ensure a deeper and more meaningful engagement with local ecosystems and effectively leverage blockchain technology within these communities.
Part 4: Cardano Open Project Showcases
Alongside the other initiatives, we plan to host 6 online "Cardano Open Project Showcases." These showcases are intended to be dynamic platforms where a variety of innovative projects within the Cardano ecosystem will be invited to present and share their initiatives and achievements.
These events will offer our wider audience and #comunidadAPRENDO members opportunities to delve deeper into the Cardano world. They will learn directly from the experiences and insights of various project leaders and contributors in the ecosystem. This interaction is designed not only to enhance their understanding of the diverse applications and potential of Cardano technology but also to inspire and possibly ignite their own innovative projects within this vibrant ecosystem.
By participating in these upcoming showcases, members will be exposed to the latest developments, creative ideas, and collaborative opportunities within the Cardano community. This experience is expected to enrich their blockchain education and open new avenues for engagement and innovation.
Conclusion: Empowering Communities with Targeted Cardano Education
To address the critical shortage of Cardano-specific education and practical experience in Latin America's underprivileged areas, each part of APRENDO's strategy is designed to meet distinct needs.
This focused approach not only enhances knowledge but also equips participants to use Cardano for economic and community development, promoting socio-economic empowerment and digital inclusivity across the region.