Please describe your proposed solution

Addressing Africa's Youth Potential in the Digital Economy:

• Demographic Opportunity: By 2050, Africa's population will double, with half under 25 (AFD). This presents a unique opportunity to empower young people with the skills they need to thrive in the digital economy.
• Youth Unemployment Challenge: World Bank data reveals that 60% of Africa's unemployed are young, and most existing jobs are informal (report ILO, 2018). Equipping them with in-demand skills is crucial.
• DRC's Young Workforce: The Democratic Republic of Congo boasts the world's 7th youngest population (UN). Our program targets this demographic to cultivate future blockchain entrepreneurs and architects.

Empowering Future Leaders in Blockchain:

• Meeting a Skill Gap: Blockchain was ranked the #1 in-demand hard skill in 2020. Our program addresses this gap by providing comprehensive training in:
• Blockchain Fundamentals
• Cardano Blockchain
• Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
• Project Catalyst, including proposal writing to transform ideas into real-world solutions.

Designing for Accessibility and Inclusivity:

• Democratizing Technology Education: We believe technology education shouldn't be a privilege. Our program offers accessible learning opportunities for all.

Program Structure and Scalability:

• Monthly Batches: To maximize participation and accommodate busy schedules, we propose 12 monthly batches with at least 20 participants each.

• Dedicated Learning Schedule: Each month will follow a consistent structure:

• Weeks 1-2: Registration Open

• Week 3: In-Depth Training Sessions (12:00-2:00 PM)

• Post-Program Evaluation: We will conduct surveys after each batch to gather feedback and continuously improve the program. On the Week 4.

Why Monthly Batches?

We've encountered high demand with scheduling conflicts. Monthly batches ensure inclusivity and cater to diverse schedules, ultimately maximizing reach and participation.

This refined version streamlines the information, focusing on the key points for Project Catalyst participants. It emphasizes the opportunity to address Africa's youth unemployment challenge and equip them with in-demand blockchain skills. It also highlights the program's accessibility and scalable structure.

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

This Project will have large impact on cardano community in the following ways:

• Ecosystem expansion: 12 batches will be held and gather in total about 300+ students from different universities who can use decentralized financial institutions, become pioneers and entrepreneurs on cardano.

• Knowledge dissemination: By providing education on blockchain technology and specifically Cardano's principles, features, and use cases, the project can help spread awareness and understanding among individuals, developers, and businesses. This increased knowledge can lead to wider adoption and utilization of Cardano.

Other ways, this proposal will have a positive impact on the lives of More than 300 youth in Congo in the following ways listed below:

• Bring together young people aged between 18-25, to learn blockchain and bring out great ideas such as information on a technology they did not know existed.

• Discuss great ideas that can turn into business and jobs after getting knowledge in Project Catalyst.

• Train young people in marketable skills to boost their chances of escaping poverty.

• Blockchain education will lead to reduction of dependence on government for job after school education.

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?

Goma Wada Hub:

• Onboarding Program (Production of educational content on Cardano and Project Catalyst since 2020), Watch here.
• Weekly meet-ups to promote Cardano and plan the hub's activities
• Goma monthly since feb 2023, see here.
• Regular Haskell and Plutus training since Sep 2020
• Goma Cardano Stake Pool running in Goma
• Hosting cardano summit 2021 and 2022, watch here.
• Active in Project Catalyst since Fund 8
• 4 developpers and technical professional
• Converting Ada to local currency
• Plutus and Atala-Prism Project based learning, see it here.
• See here our previous projects
• and 2 other projects are ongoing
• GOMA WADA HUB GALLERY

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

Milestone 1: Pre-Launch Phase (Month 1):

• Week 1: **Website Design and Development:**Finalize website prototype showcasing program activities, enrollment information, and FAQs.
• Develop core website functionalities for user interaction (e.g., contact form, enrollment form).
• Week 2-3: **Curriculum Development:**Finalize the curriculum for the 11-month training program, outlining learning objectives for each cohort.
• Develop training materials like presentations, assignments, and resources for the first cohort.
• Week 4: **Testing and Deployment:**Test website functionality and user experience.
• Deploy the website and announce the program launch.
• Open and market enrollment for the first cohort.

Acceptance criteria

A fully functional website is launched showcasing the program's activities, including:

• Clear program overview and objectives
• Detailed course descriptions
• Enrollment instructions and application form
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section
• Contact information for program inquiries

Make posts on social media essentially tweeter (X), linkedin and Facebook and publicize the program in universities.

A comprehensive curriculum for the 11-month training program is finalized.

A minimum of 5 engaging posts are published on both Twitter and Facebook in addition to phsical ones promoting the program launch.

Budget allocation: 3750ADA

Milestone 2: Training Delivery Phase (Months 2-12):

Monthly Milestones (Months 2-11 - can be repeated for each month):

• Week 1-2: **Cohort Recruitment and Selection:**Review applications and finalize participants for the upcoming cohort.
• Onboard new participants with program information and access to the learning platform.
• Week 3: Training Delivery
• Facilitate interactive learning activities and provide support to participants.
• Week 4: **Assessment and Feedback:**Administer assessments to gauge participant understanding of the training content and share
• Collect feedback from participants on the training experience.
• Refine training materials and delivery methods based on feedback.

Acceptance criteria

• Applications Reviewed: All applications for the upcoming cohort are reviewed according to pre-defined selection criteria.
• Participants Finalized: A final list of participants (minimum 25) for the cohort is confirmed and communicated to all applicants.
• Onboarding Completed: All participants receive program information via email and social forums.

Training Delivery

• Training Delivered: Interactive learning activities are facilitated for the training module according to the curriculum in person at ISDR/GL
• Participant Support Provided: Participants receive timely support and assistance with any training-related queries.

Assessment and Feedback

• Assessments Administered: Assessments are administered to all participants to evaluate their understanding of the training content.
• Feedback Collected: A comprehensive feedback survey is distributed and completed by all participants regarding their training experience.

Budget allocation: 29375 ADA

Final Milestone: Post-Training Phase (Month 12):

• **Program Evaluation and Reporting:**Analyze data from assessments and participant feedback. Prepare a report summarizing program outcomes and participant success to Share to theCatalyst team and community.

Budget allocation: Covered in Project management

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

Martin Musagara : Proposal lead, Martin is an intersect DRep Pioneer Program leader. Graduating student at ISDR/GL(www.isdrgl.org) Martin is a Blockchain educator, he leads trainings for local students at Goma Wada Hub,( Web 3, Cardano, Governance, Project catalyst, CRs trainings), and in charge of the Goma Stakepool marketing. (https://twitter.com/martin_musagara) He's the project lead.

) (<https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-musagara-m-b0139422a/> )

Bandu Balume Boaz: Graduating student at ISDR/GL(www.isdrgl.org), Boaz is the Hub manager and blockchain educator he coordinates meetups for Haskell and Plutus learning. Boaz has completed several training modules on Cardano and is aiming to develop blockchain applications in the field of sustainable development. He will act as an educator.

Akilimali Cizungu Innocent: is a technical analyst within ISDR/GL (www.isdrgl.org) and holds a degree in computer science from ISIG (<https://www.isig.ac.cd/>). Akilimali is also the technician supporting the Goma Stake Pool. Akilimali has experience in front-end, back-end developments, web design. https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/akili-innocent-7649951a8 https://github.com/Innocent-Akim He'll design the website.

Mwathsimulamo Olivier: With a degree in Environment and Sustainable Development from ISDR GL, Olivier has combined his passion for environmental solutions with the innovative Cardano blockchain. From Fund 9 he served as a Project Catalyst Community Reviewer, and most recently as a moderator for Fund 11. Additionally, Olivier contribute to the Cardano Hub in Goma by training aspiring participants on the Project Catalyst process through the onboarding program (since 2023).

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

The total budget requested is 38125ADA

Milestone 1 (9.64% Of total budget): 3750ADA

Milestone2 (75.57%): 29375 ADA

Milestone3: Covered in project management

Misc (3.21%) : 1250ADA

Project management (11.58%): 4500 ADA

TOTAL : 38875ADA Conversion rate 0.40

More details in the sheet here.

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

The costs are based on industry standards, the complexity of tasks, and local market rates, to provide a reasonable budget.

The project team is skilled and experienced with creation of educational content, project management and web designinig, this reflects the costs in the budget.

Contingency Plan: We introduced a miscelous amount of 500ADA as It is prudent to allocate a portion of the budget for contingency planning. Unforeseen events, such as changes in requirements, or fluctuation of Ada, delays, or unforeseen challenges, can impact the project's timeline and budget. Having a contingency fund provides a safety net, enabling us to address unexpected circumstances without hindering project progress or compromising quality of the outcomes.