Cardano Forest [blocktree.asia] - Foster Trust & Trackability in Reforestation

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

We are seeking a fund to continue with the third phase of our project. More information about the previous phases which were funded on Fund 8 and Fund 9 is as follows links :

The Fund 8 proposal: <https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/396832>. Status: closed
The Fund 9 proposal: <https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/9/f9-dapps-products-and-integrations/cardano-forest-blocktreeasia>. Status: Completed Milestone 1,2; in submission for final milestones, awaiting approval.

Further, we are also listed in public newspapers. You can read about us here: <https://www.sggp.org.vn/trong-mot-cay-xanh-chua-lanh-dat-me-post642839.html>.

Also, we've already had the license as a Social Impact Business, which commits at least 51% profit will be spent on reforestation works. <https://masothue.com/0317775246-cong-ty-co-phan-cong-nghe-blocktree>

PROBLEMS:

The reforestation is one of the best ways to fight against climate change impact, which is the current issue for the whole world, especially in developing countries in Asia. We also plan to expand our activities for other countries in Asia: China, Korea, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia…where are being seriously impacted by climate change.

Reforestation is a crucial component of sustainable development, and it's gaining popularity among individuals and corporations alike. However, many reforestation efforts fail to attract the donation fund/ sponsorship to achieve their intended impact due to a variety of challenges.

1. Lack of proper planning:

With corporate sponsors lacking the expertise and knowledge to develop effective sustainability plans. This leads to fragmented actions that are often seasonal, with little long-term impact.

2. Transparency issue:

Double spending is common due to a lack of reliable data and third-party verification. Without accurate and trustworthy data, it's difficult for corporations and concerned individuals to donate to these efforts.

3. Lack of standardization in data management:

Paper-based systems are still prevalent. This leads to a lack of trust in the accuracy of reports, further hindering funding efforts.

4. Lack of community involvement:

With locals feeling disconnected from the reforestation efforts in their own backyard. This disconnect leads to a lack of buy-in and participation from the wider community.

SOLUTIONS:

Our project aims to address these challenges with a holistic approach that focuses on enhancing trust and trackability of the works.

The one-page diagram is attached:

1. Holistics toolset for tree planting organization:

To digitalise the work of tree planting organisations, we provide the data collection devices including the application to help their field workers to capture their work and the mini-ERP to help the tree planting organisation streamlining the planning, execution, and reporting process. We ensure the authenticity of the ground data collected through a multi-layer verification process.

2. Consultancy for Sponsors/Donors:

We offer consulting services to help corporations embed sustainability into their business activities as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Enterprise Social Governance(ESG). Our team of experts can assist with crafting a tailored strategy that aligns with their goals. We also connect our corporate customers with planting organizations that fit their plan and . In Vietnam, we are currently connecting many organisations and individuals as sponsors to 3 tree planting organizations/inviduals with a capacity of planting 500,000 trees in one year. We are also expanding the network of tree planting organisations for greater impact. Find the detail here:

<https://blocktree.asia/forest-link/>

<https://blocktree.asia/iag-academy-showcase/>

<https://blocktree.asia/an-lac-eco-farm/>

List of individual sponsors: <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10Jfsbqm3GkcEzW3gmQsAjEz7-F4kf6pF/htmlview>

3. Showcase tools for Sponsors/Donors:

Additionally, we offer a unique way for sponsors and corporate customers to showcase their impact through NFTs, providing transparency and educational opportunities. The environmental impact created is calculated based on the model of <https://www.itreetools.org/>. Find the sample of NFT version 1 here: <https://pool.pm/asset1h7kxjvlscsa0x5c65knzw2dhy00fmnk5hv7dhz>

4. Tracking tools for Sponsors/Donors:

Our reporting system is designed to be seamless and trustworthy, enabling us to provide real-time updates to our customers via APIs and dashboards. Find the sample dashboard here: <https://lookerstudio.google.com/s/h4ahDfLRS74>

Furthermore, every donation that comes to us will be tracked with transparency via the bank's public statement. Find the evidence here: <https://thiennguyen.app/user/blocktree>

By providing these services, we believe that we can foster trust and trackability in the reforestation process, leading to increased engagement and impact.

Our project is more than just a technological solution; it is an opportunity to promote sustainable development and make a positive impact on society and the environment. By leveraging blockchain technology, we can create a unique value proposition for our customers, and contribute to the broader goal of sustainable development beyond the scope of this challenge as well as Catalyst.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

The benefits of this solution for the Cardano ecosystem are numerous.

1.Increased Adoption:

By using Cardano as the key infrastructure for BlockTree, we are helping to drive adoption of the platform and demonstrate its capabilities to potential users and partners. This can help to attract more developers, entrepreneurs, and investors to the ecosystem, leading to increased innovation and growth. We are also working with local government authorities to introduce our solution that will help them to understand more about the real use case of blockchain technology. Our end products will be NFTs that will be transferred to the sponsor's wallet on Cardano blockchain and will also bring more new users to Cardano Ecosystem.

2. Positive Social Impact:

Our project's focus on sustainability and environmental impact aligns with the values of the Cardano community, which is committed to creating positive social impact through blockchain technology. By using Cardano to facilitate the planting of trees and other sustainability initiatives, our project can help to promote the platform's social mission and contribute to a more sustainable future.

3. Use Case Validation:

BlockTree use of Cardano as the underlying infrastructure helps to validate the platform's capabilities and demonstrate its potential for real-world applications beyond cryptocurrency. This can help to build confidence in the platform among potential users and partners, leading to increased adoption and growth.

4. Innovative Applications:

Our project's use of NFTs to showcase impact and provide transparency is an innovative application of blockchain technology that can help to drive adoption of Cardano and other blockchain platforms. By demonstrating the potential of NFTs for social impact and sustainability initiatives, our project can help to inspire other developers and entrepreneurs to explore similar applications.

Overall, our project's focus on sustainability and social impact, combined with its use of innovative applications and digital tools, has the potential to bring significant benefits to the Cardano ecosystem and help to drive adoption and growth.

To be realistic, we estimate that we can attract 10 corporate customers (big brands) within 12 months of operation (after getting funded), with a target of planting at least 250,000 trees in that timeframe, estimating that we can reach, engage and bring Cardano to ~ 25,000 end-users (including brands' customers, local community, sponsors network…). Our current presence on social channels (at July 2023) are:

Website: 3,600 users visited during the first 6 months.
Facebook: 6,066 followers
Telegram Vietnam: 275 members
Telegram Global: 47 members
Zalo Group: 205 members
Linked In: 436 followers
Youtube: 40 subscribers

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

To measure the success of our project, we will track these metrics:

Number of corporate customers and sponsors: We will track the number of corporate customers and sponsors that use our solution to embed sustainability into their business activitie

2. Number of trees planted: We will track the number of trees planted through our solution, as this is the primary goal of our project.

3. Digital tools adoption rate: The adoption of your digital tools, such as mini-ERP and data collection devices, is also a key metric for measuring success. By tracking the number of users and the quality of the data collected, we can assess the effectiveness of our tools and identify areas for improvement.

4. Impact on the environment: We will assess the impact of our solution on the environment, including the carbon sequestration potential of the planted trees and the local community income directly generated from reforestation work.

We intend to share the outputs and impact of our completed project with a wide range of stakeholders, including corporate customers/sponsors, planting organizations, environmental organizations, and the broader Cardano community. We will use various channels such as social media (Telegram, Zalo, facebook, youtube, linked-in…), our website, and newspapers to disseminate information and updates about our project

We will also participate in relevant events and conferences to showcase our solution and share our learnings with other stakeholders in the sustainability and blockchain communities. We believe that sharing our findings and insights with a broader audience will help promote the adoption of sustainable business practices and the use of blockchain technology to solve real-world problems.

In terms of further research and development activities, we plan to use the results generated from the project to improve and expand our solution. We will gather feedback from our customers and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and new opportunities. We will also continue to monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to ensure that our solution remains relevant and effective.

We anticipate that the project will generate valuable data and insights that can be used for further research and development in the areas of reforestation, sustainability, and blockchain technology. We plan to publish our findings and contribute to the broader academic and scientific community to advance knowledge in these fields. By doing so, we hope to inspire further innovation and collaboration in these areas and contribute to the wider goal of creating a more sustainable and equitable world.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

We have several capabilities that demonstrate our ability to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability. These capabilities include:

1.Expertise: Our team has extensive experience in sustainability, reforestation, and blockchain technology. We have subject matter experts in our team who can provide consulting services to corporate customers and planting organizations to ensure that their reforestation efforts are well-planned and executed efficiently.

2. Partnerships: We have partnerships with over 3 planting organizations that have a capacity of planting 500,000 trees in one year and in progress to expand our planter network. These partnerships demonstrate our ability to establish trusted relationships with planting organizations and ensure that we only work with organizations that meet our high standards of trust and accountability.

3. Technology: We have developed a suite of digital tools, including mini-ERP and data collection devices, that empower planting organizations to streamline their planning, execution, and reporting processes. By using these digital tools, we can ensure that data is standardized and credible, which is critical in building trust and accountability.

4. Verification process: We have established a multi-layer verification process to ensure the authenticity of the ground data collected by planting organizations. This process involves using various data sources and verification methods to ensure that the data is accurate and reliable.

5. Transparency: We are committed to transparency and accountability in all aspects of our project. We will provide real-time updates to our customers via APIs and dashboard to ensure that they have access to the latest information about the reforestation efforts. We will also use NFTs to provide a unique and transparent way for customers and sponsors to showcase the impact of their efforts.

Overall, our expertise, partnerships, technology, verification process, and commitment to transparency demonstrate our ability to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability. We are confident that we can establish ourselves as a trusted and reliable partner in the reforestation and sustainability communities and make a positive impact on the environment and society.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

The quantified goals:

Work with 10 corporate customers (big brandnames) to get the donation to reforestation
On-boarding at least 3 additional tree planting organisations for a capacity of 500.000 trees/per year.
To plant 250,000 trees as a significant effort to promote reforestation as a means of mitigating climate change in Vietnam;
To reach, engage 25,000 individuals in sustainability efforts & stories online & offline;
Our social channels impact:
Website: 10,000 users visited during time of the proposal
Facebook: 12,850 followers
Telegram Vietnam: 500 members
Telegram Global: 100 members
Zalo Group: 500 members
Linked In: 1000 followers
Youtube: 50 subscribers

Besides the above quantified goal, we also evaluate our impact via the following measures:

Market research: We will conduct market research to assess the demand for our solution among corporate customers, sponsors, and planting organizations. This research will involve surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather feedback on our approach and identify areas for improvement.
Pilot projects: We will conduct pilot projects with selected planting organizations and corporate customers to test our solution and validate its feasibility. These pilot projects will help us identify any technical or operational challenges and refine our approach before scaling up. Actually, our concepts have been accepted by Corporates & Planting Organizations as mentioned above.
Data analysis: We will analyze the data collected from our solution to assess its effectiveness in promoting reforestation, promoting sustainable business practices, and fostering trust and accountability in the reforestation process. This analysis will involve tracking KPIs such as the number of trees planted, the efficiency gains achieved by planting organizations, and the level of engagement from corporate customers and sponsors.
Stakeholder feedback: We will gather feedback from our stakeholders, including planting organizations, corporate customers, sponsors, and environmental organizations, to assess their satisfaction with our solution and identify areas for improvement.

By using a combination of these methods, we will be able to validate the feasibility of our approach and ensure that we are achieving our goals. We will use the insights gained from these methods to refine our approach and scale up our solution to make a greater impact on the environment and society.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestone I - 3 months after getting funded:

Product: Integrate the portal that helps individuals track their donation budget into blocketree.asia website with transparency.
Product: Provide individual sponsors a way to query their historical data of donation & online certification via their name/phone number.
Operations: Collaborate with professional firms to plan about implementing IoT devices on the planting sites & define data to be collected.
Partnership: Acquire 2 additional Planting Organizations in Vietnam.

Milestone II - 6 months after getting funded:

Product: Enhance mini ERP with Project Management function to help them fulfill the Operation journey end2end.
Product: Provide APIs for Organization Sponsors to get the latest data about the progress of their projects for internal use.
Operations: Launch the project with Biore Brand, which helps to reach up to 50.000 customers & plant 100.000 trees in Central and South Coast of Vietnam.
Partnership: Acquire 2 more Corporate Sponsors in Vietnam.

Milestone III - 9 months after getting funded:

Product: Test run with IoT devices (censors, camera…) to monitor the growth of plants & measure impact.
Product: Implement advanced anti-cheating mechanisms in BlockTree Admin tool to auto-detect inauthentic data.
Mobile Devices Management
User authentication through biometrics
Image detection with AI
Product: New version of NFT that is easier for users to interact and get data. Furthermore, the metadata can be dynamic (dNFT) so that they can get the update seamlessly upon a single NFT.
Operations: Start piloting and implementing IoT devices (censors only) in 1 planting site.
Partnership: Acquire 3 more Corporate Sponsors in Vietnam.

Milestone IV - 12 months after getting funded (Closure):

Product: An Impact Hub where people can learn stories around the world about fighting climate change as well as join hands via BlockTree's solution full journey.
Product: Embed data collected from IoT devices into the report.
Operations: finalize the documentation of guiding upon IoT devices & also update existing process of operations.
Partnership: Acquire 5 more Corporate Sponsors in Vietnam.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone I - 3 months after getting funded:

Deliverables:

Donation budget tracking portal integrated into blocketree.asia website with transparency
Database of historical donation data and online certifications queryable by name/phone number
User-friendly interfaces for accessing and interacting with both functionalities
Secure authentication and authorization mechanisms for data access

Outputs:

Real-time updates on donations received and their use, increasing transparency and trust
Improved accountability and verification of historical donation data and online certifications
Convenient and user-friendly interfaces for accessing and managing donation records

Intended outcomes:

Increased trust and confidence in blocketree.asia as a reliable and trustworthy organization for making donations
Enhanced transparency and accountability in the donation process
Improved management of donation records and certifications for individuals.

Milestone II - 6 months after getting funded:

Deliverables:

Project management function integrated into the mini ERP system.
APIs developed and integrated into the mini ERP system.
100,000 trees planted in Central and South Coast of Vietnam.
Successful launch of the project with a not-yet-to-disclose Japanese big brandname in women's skin care, reaching 50,000 customers.
Project monitoring and evaluation report.

Outputs:

Improved project management capabilities with the enhanced mini ERP system.
Real-time project progress updates available to the Biore Brand organization sponsors through APIs.
100,000 trees planted in Central and South Coast of Vietnam to improve environmental impact.
Successful launch of the Biore Brand project, resulting in improved customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
Project monitoring and evaluation report to ensure project success.

Intended outcomes:

Improved project delivery and completion within budget and on time.
Improved communication and transparency with the Biore Brand organization sponsors.
Improved brand awareness and reputation for Biore Brand.
Improved customer loyalty and retention.
Improved environmental impact and community engagement.

Milestone III - 9 months after getting funded:

Deliverables:

Installed and configured IoT devices for plant growth monitoring.
Advanced anti-cheating mechanisms (with AI) integrated into the BlockTree Admin tool.
New version of NFT integrated into the platform. (dNFT)
User manuals and training materials for all enhancements.

Outputs:

Improved plant growth monitoring and management.
Enhanced security and integrity of data in the BlockTree Admin tool.
Improved user experience due to easier interaction with the dNFT and improved data authenticity and security.

Intended outcomes:

Improved environmental impact due to better plant growth management.
Improved trust in the BlockTree Admin tool and increased adoption of the platform.
Improved user satisfaction and engagement with the platform.

Milestone IV - 12 months after getting funded (Closure):

Deliverables:

A fully functional digital Impact Hub on the website blocktree.asia
A collection of stories from around the world about fighting climate change
BlockTree's solution full journey available for people to join hands in fighting climate change
Data integration from IoT devices into the report and APIs

Outputs:

A user-friendly website that allows users to access information about fighting climate change and BlockTree's solution.
A collection of stories that inspire and motivate people to take action against climate change.
An IoT data integration system that provides real-time data about climate change.

Outcomes:

Increased awareness and knowledge about the impact of climate change and the various solutions available to address it.
Increased engagement and participation from individuals and organizations in fighting climate change.
Improved data collection and reporting on climate change, leading to more informed decision-making and policy development.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Please find it here: <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rDNUcr5vCkc8IyAWbNFBMGTIF1Fw8AhuXp7gaOxVZos/edit?usp=sharing>

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

1.Project Director: Mr. Brit Nguyen: Managing the whole project progress and KPI, reporting, connecting with Partners/Donors.

Experiences:

Over 15 years of experience in finance and fintech, 2 years of experience in the blockchain industry.
Director of EY Vietnam
Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) - England
Used to be ambassador of Genius Yield - All-in-one
Cardano Stake Pool Operator (ADAUP).
Cardano Community Advisor (Fund 7,8)
Telegram: https://t.me/Britnguyen87
Linked in: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/quoc-nguyen-708370142/>

2. Product Manager: Mr. Ky Tong (John):

Experiences:

8+ years experience in managing digital & educational products, which serves millions of users in Vietnam.
Product Manager of Rootopia.vn - A p2p lending platform focused on Education.
Product Manager of Dai-ichi Life Vietnam
Experienced in Marketing & Growth, especially community platform.
Founder of GSTT Group (<https://www.facebook.com/SHARINGTHEVALUE>) - An NGO that shares educational materials for students in Vietnam.
Telegram: https://t.me/kytq2011
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tongquocky/

3. Tech Lead: Mr. Vi Nguyen

Experiences:

10+ years experience of technology architecture & system

Tech Lead of GEEK Up Inc
Sr System Engineering of Rootopia.vn
A lot of projects on a global scale are under the advisory/supervision of Vi Nguyen
Telegram: <https://t.me/ngtrieuvi92>
Linkedin: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/vi-nguyen-61022085/>

4. Sr Front-end Developer: Mr. Van Nguyen

Experiences:

14 years experience as a full stack software developer

Frontend Lead of GEEK Up Inc
Developer of Glandore System
Telegram: <https://t.me/vannk84>
Linkedin: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/van-nguyen-83553117/>

5. Sr Mobile Developer: Mr. Dat Tran

Experiences:

10 years experience as a full mobile developer

Mobile Lead of GEEK Up Inc
Developer at FPT Software
Telegram: <https://t.me/dattran17>
Linkedin: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/dattran17/>

6. Sr Product Designer: Mr. Hoang Tran

Experiences:

10 years experience in the product design field. Work in UX, and UI, and communicate with the technical and business teams.

Interested and researching human psychology.
Has an experience in e-commerce and fintech investment platforms.
Telegram: https://t.me/hoangtran_designer
Linkedin: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoangtran-designer/>

7. Marketing and Community Manager: Mr. Tung Tran: digital content creator, community management

Experiences:

Full-time Lecture at Nguyen Tat Thanh University
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=e-69HSYAAAAJ&hl=en
MBA degree, ex-KPMG
Funded Proposer in fund 8, 9: Cardano Annual Market Report & Cardano Forest - blocktree.asia
Cardano Community Advisor (Fund 8,9)
08 years of experience in Marketing
05 years of experience in Digital Marketing (Strongest in WordPress, SEO, Social & Community Marketing)
04 years experience in Blockchain Industry
Founder www.facebook.com/yeutrongcay (objective is to increase of young people about climate change, plant tree and protect environment)
Founder www.vneconomics.com (objective is to increase cognition of Vietnamese about Blockchain Technology)
Linked In: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/tranthanhtung37/>

8. Partnership Manager: Ms. Tu Nguyen:

Experiences:

Working in big corporations in Vietnam: AON, PACE…
6 years in developing Bancas of Bank of Investment and Development Vietnam
10+ years in founding and leading education start-ups: Kdi.edu.vn, IAG.edu.vn
Linkedin: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/huong-tu-87796a153/>

9. Operations Manager: Ms. Hoa Tran:

Experiences:

Working in big corporations in Vietnam: Pepsico, Schneider-Electric, Elenberg Fraser
12 years of experience in Accounting & Managing projects
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/h%C3%B2a-tr%E1%BA%A7n-7a1a62a4/

10. Consultant: Ms. Hoai Anh:

Experiences:

Head of Marketing of VinUnisity
Marketing Director of Vinschool
Vice Chairwoman of Centre of Social Innitiatives Promotion in Vietnam
Linkedin: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyen-hoai-anh/>

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The costs of the project have been carefully considered and are based on several factors, including the expertise and resources required to develop and implement our solution, as well as the potential impact of our solution on the environment and society.

The costs of the project are breakdown in detail and commensurate with the level of expertise required to develop and implement our solution. Our team includes subject matter experts in social impact, marketing, as well as developers and finance experts, project managers who will work together to deliver the project. The costs also include the development and maintenance of our suite of digital tools, such as mini-ERP and data collection devices, which will empower planting organizations to streamline their planning and execution processes;

In terms of the potential impact of our solution, reforestation is a critical area of focus for sustainability initiatives, and it has been identified as a key strategy for mitigating climate change. By planting trees, we can sequester carbon and contribute to the overall health of ecosystems, which can have a positive impact on the environment and society. Additionally, by promoting sustainable business practices, we can help create a more equitable and sustainable world, which is a core goal of the Cardano ecosystem and also enspring, attracting wider communities to know about blockchain use cases, in particular Cardano blockchain;

We have carefully considered the costs of the project and have benchmarked them against industry standards and typical freelance rates in our industry. We have also taken into account the average wage in our country and have ensured that our costs are fair and reasonable while still allowing us to deliver a high-quality solution;

Overall, we believe that the costs of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem. Our solution aligns with the ecosystem's values and vision, promotes sustainable business practices, leverages blockchain technology to ensure trust and accountability, and offers a reasonable cost for the potential impact of our solution.

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