[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our proposed solution includes education on stake pool operation (SPO) and its relevance for African creatives. We recognise that the concept of stake pools aligns with the African tradition of collective savings and financial cooperation, such as 'susu, sou-sou, osusu, or asue'. We aim to leverage this familiarity and highlight how African creatives can harness the power of stake pools to generate income and build sustainable financial ecosystems.

Through our workshops and web3 accelerator program, we will educate Nigerian creatives on the benefits of participating in stake pools, including earning passive income, contributing to the network's security and decentralization, and fostering community collaboration. We will emphasize that everyone has the potential to join forces and create their own stake pools, enabling them to become active participants in the Cardano ecosystem.

By showcasing the similarities between stake pools and the traditional African savings practices, we aim to bridge the gap between blockchain technology and cultural familiarity. This approach empowers African creatives to leverage their existing knowledge and community-oriented mindset to participate in the Cardano ecosystem and create their own financial opportunities.

The uniqueness of our solution lies in its integration of education on stake pools, the cultural relevance of collective savings, and the creative sector. By combining these elements, we create an inclusive and empowering environment where African creatives can thrive, collaborate, and build their financial independence. This not only benefits Cardano by fostering community engagement and increasing stake pool participation but also empowers African creatives to unlock their full potential and contribute to the growth and innovation of the blockchain industry.

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

By offering a dedicated 3-hour workshop on SPO education for Nigerian creatives at 'VIBES WITH DR ADAKU LAGOS - December 2023' and providing inclusion in a web3 accelerator, your proposed solution directly addresses the challenge of supporting effective and impactful projects and initiatives to build and support the SPO ecosystem and community.

The impact of your project on the Cardano ecosystem can be substantial. Here are some potential benefits and value it brings:

1. Community engagement: By educating and empowering Nigerian creatives about SPOs and their relevance in the web3 space, your project will attract new participants to the Cardano ecosystem. This engagement will contribute to a stronger and more diverse community.
2. Increased adoption: Through the 3-hour workshop and inclusion in the web3 accelerator, participants will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience in SPOs. This will enable them to become effective community reviewers and establish their own stake pools, fostering growth and adoption of the Cardano blockchain.
3. Ecosystem expansion: By specifically targeting Nigerian creatives, your project taps into an important and vibrant segment of the global creative community. By showcasing the benefits and opportunities of SPOs within this context, you have the potential to inspire and encourage a significant number of individuals to participate in the Cardano ecosystem.
4. Knowledge sharing and collaboration: Through the workshop and accelerator program, participants will not only gain knowledge but also have the opportunity to network and collaborate with like-minded individuals. This will foster a sense of community and create opportunities for future collaborations, which in turn strengthens the overall Cardano ecosystem.

Quantifying the specific impact of the project can be challenging without concrete data on the number of participants and their subsequent engagement. However, you can set realistic goals and measure the following metrics:

• Number of participants attending the SPO education workshop: This reflects the immediate reach and engagement of the project.
• Number of new stake pools created by workshop participants: This indicates the success of the education provided and the extent to which participants have embraced and implemented the knowledge gained.
• Growth in the number of Nigerian creatives actively involved in the Cardano ecosystem: Tracking the increase in participants' involvement, such as their contributions, transactions, or other on-chain activities, demonstrates the project's impact on ecosystem expansion.

By achieving these measurable outcomes, your project will contribute to the growth, inclusivity, and adoption of the Cardano ecosystem, while empowering Nigerian creatives to leverage web3 technologies for their own creative pursuits and economic well-being. As mentioned, the concept of 'stake pools' are actually second nature to Africans as historically and currently communities come together to 'save' together, e.g. A susu or sou-sou or 'osusu' or asue is a form of rotating savings.

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

The impact of this project on Cardano's productivity and growth can be significant in both the short and long term. In the short term, the workshop and accelerator program will provide immediate education and empowerment to Nigerian creatives, enabling them to establish stake pools and participate in the ecosystem. This can lead to increased transactional activity, community engagement, and the formation of new partnerships.

In the long term, the project has the potential to foster a vibrant community of Nigerian creatives actively contributing to the Cardano ecosystem. This increased participation can stimulate innovation, drive the development of new projects and applications, and attract further investment and adoption. The growth of stake pools and the expanded network of empowered community reviewers can enhance the decentralisation and resilience of Cardano's infrastructure.

1. Number of workshop participants: This metric quantifies the reach and engagement of your project. Tracking the number of participants attending the SPO education workshop will provide insights into the level of interest and initial adoption among Nigerian creatives.
2. Number of Stake Pools created: Measuring the number of new stake pools established by workshop participants demonstrates the tangible impact of your project in expanding the SPO ecosystem. This metric reflects the adoption and implementation of the knowledge and skills gained through the workshop.
3. Participant feedback and opinions: Gathering qualitative feedback from workshop participants can provide valuable insights into their experience, understanding, and satisfaction with the educational program. This feedback can help assess the effectiveness of the workshop and identify areas for improvement.
4. Continued engagement: Tracking the continued involvement and activity of workshop participants in the Cardano ecosystem over time can indicate the long-term impact of your project. This can include monitoring their contributions, participation in community discussions, on-chain activities, or the establishment of ongoing collaborations.
5. Growth in Nigerian creatives' Participation: Measuring the growth in the number of Nigerian creatives actively engaged in the Cardano ecosystem beyond the workshop can be an important indicator of success. This can include tracking their involvement in other projects, contributions to the community, or exploration of additional opportunities within the Cardano ecosystem

Overall, by measuring the aforementioned metrics and assessing the positive feedback and continued engagement of participants, I will demonstrate the success and impact of my project in educating and empowering Nigerian creatives, driving their active participation in the Cardano ecosystem, and contributing to the long-term growth and productivity of Cardano.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

We will be utilising video content to give live updates to the public. Content that really showcases the beauty of Nigerian culture whilst educating on SPO. As mentioned, the concept of 'stake pools' are actually second nature to Africans as historically and currently communities come together to 'save' together, e.g. A susu or sou-sou or 'osusu' or asue is a form of rotating savings. This is very important as we can re-imagine what it means to be involved with 'SPO' in this context.

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

I organised a huge concert in Lagos (December 2022), where I taught Nigerian creators about web3, particularly music NFT’s. The maiden Lagos edition had over 200 attendees, 16 dancers including ballet dancers, a 4-member band, 3 backing singers, 2 hosts, a DJ, 32 opening acts (over 50% were women), 10 team members plus 2 stage managers), a 6 full 6-member film crew, several photographers, plus multiple TV stations, 4 security guards and more.

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

Here are the main goals of the project:

The goal is to teach creative people in Nigeria about Project Catalyst, stake pools, and web3 technology. We will track how many people go to the classes and the web3 pilot programme. Use surveys and comments to find out what the participants understood and what they learned from the training programmes.

Another goal is to elp Nigerian artists become good community reviewers on Cardano and make additional revenue streams so they can keep doing what they love. We will keep track of how many creative Nigerians are involved community users on Cardano, watch how they participate in reviewing ideas and giving useful feedback. Find out how much money community reviewers make from their activities and how that affects their ability to pay for creative projects.

A third goal is to help Nigerian creatives set up stake pools and get more people involved in the Cardano community. Keep an eye on how Nigerian creatives set up and get involved in new stake pools after our educational efforts. Count how many new stake pools are made and keep track of how they grow and do over time.

Last but not least - content: spread the beautiful history and culture of Africans including how people already save money in African communities and how this is relevant to the stake pool education and community goals. We will use polls and interviews to find out how well Nigerian creatives understand and agree with stake pooling. Find out if they know about community savings methods like susu, sou-sou, osusu, and asue. Find out how many Nigerian creatives use share sharing and how involved they are in it as a way to save money and make money.

We will make this happen with the 5 week web3 accelerator and also a 3-hour hands-on workshop at 'VIBES WITH DR ADAKU' Lagos, Nigeria (December 2023). By keeping track of the measured results and evaluating the qualitative effects on the Nigerian creative community's knowledge, involvement, and participation in the Cardano ecosystem and stake pooling, we can figure out if our method was successful in getting the results we wanted. Regular tracking, data collection, and comments will show if the project's goals are possible and if they are working.

[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 1: Planning and Preparation

Tasks:

1. Conduct a needs assessment and define the project goals and objectives.
2. Develop a detailed project plan, including milestones and timelines.
3. Secure necessary resources and budget for the project.
4. Identify and engage relevant stakeholders and partners.
5. Develop a communication and outreach strategy.
6. Identify stakeholders such as influencers to drive the project forward

Timeline: 2 weeks

Success Criteria:

• Project goals and objectives defined.
• Project plan and timeline created.
• Resources and budget allocated.
• Stakeholders and partners identified and engaged.
• Communication and outreach strategy developed.

Milestone 2: Workshop Development and Promotion

Tasks:

1. Design the workshop content and curriculum.
2. Identify suitable venues and secure event space.
3. Develop marketing and promotional materials.
4. Implement a targeted outreach campaign to reach Nigerian creatives.
5. Coordinate logistics for the workshop, including registration and participant management.

Timeline: 4 weeks

Success Criteria:

• Workshop content and curriculum finalised.
• Venue secured and event space prepared.
• Marketing and promotional materials created and distributed.
• Outreach campaign successfully reaches the target audience.
• Smooth logistics and participant registration process.

Milestone 3: Workshop Execution and Web3 Accelerator

Tasks:

1. Conduct the 3-hour workshop for Nigerian creatives.
2. Deliver educational sessions on Project Catalyst, stake pools, and web3 technology.
3. Provide hands-on training on becoming effective community reviewers.
4. Select Nigerian creatives for inclusion in the web3 accelerator program.
5. Provide mentorship and support to accelerator participants.
6. Monitor progress and offer guidance throughout the program.
7. Budget for creatives to be able to try SPO

Timeline: 8 weeks

Success Criteria:

• Successful execution of the workshop with active participation and engagement.
• Nigerian creatives selected for the web3 accelerator program.
• Effective mentorship and support provided to accelerator participants.
• Demonstrated progress and growth in participants' understanding and application of web3 concepts.

Milestone 4: Impact Evaluation and Reporting

Tasks:

1. Collect data and feedback on the outcomes and impact of the workshop and accelerator program.
2. Analyse the data and evaluate the effectiveness of the educational initiatives.
3. Prepare a comprehensive impact report documenting the project's achievements.
4. Share the report with the Cardano community and stakeholders.

Timeline: 4 weeks

Success Criteria:

• Data and feedback collected from workshop participants and accelerator program participants.
• Impact evaluation conducted and analysed.
• Comprehensive impact report prepared and finalised.
• Report shared with the Cardano community and stakeholders.

Total amount of months adds up to 4.5 as we are allowing for contingency. The main 3 hour workshop will be in December 2023 in Lagos, however, engagement with participants including application phases and accerlators (pre and post) will be months before and months after.

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

Milestone 1: Project Initiation

Deliverables:

• Project plan and timeline
• Stakeholder engagement strategy
• Research and analysis of target audience and their needs
• Kick-off meeting documentation

Outcomes:

• Clear project roadmap and timeline established
• Understanding of the target audience and their requirements
• Alignment with stakeholders on project objectives and expectations

Measurement:

• Completion of project plan and timeline
• Stakeholder feedback on the project initiation process

Milestone 2: Workshop Development and Promotion

Deliverables:

• Workshop curriculum and materials
• Promotional materials (e.g., brochures, social media posts), this is very important as content will also be advertised via Nigerian influencers and social media.
• Workshop registration platform set up
• Outreach plan to target Nigerian creatives

Outcomes:

• Well-designed and comprehensive workshop materials
• Increased awareness and interest in the workshop among the target audience
• Successful registration of participants for the workshop

Measurement:

• Completion of workshop curriculum and materials
• Number of workshop registrations
• Participant feedback on the workshop content and delivery

Milestone 3: Workshop Delivery

Deliverables:

• Conducting the 3-hour workshop for Nigerian creatives
• Presentation slides and handouts used during the workshop
• Documentation of participant engagement and feedback

Outcomes:

• Increased knowledge and understanding of Project Catalyst and SPOs among the workshop participants
• Empowerment of Nigerian creatives to become effective community reviewers
• Building a network of engaged and motivated individuals in the Cardano ecosystem

Measurement:

• Participant feedback on workshop content and delivery
• Number of participants who express interest in becoming community reviewers

Milestone 4: Web3 Accelerator

Deliverables:

• Collaboration with a web3 accelerator program for inclusion of workshop participants
• Selection and onboarding of Nigerian creatives into the accelerator program
• Monitoring and support for participants during the 5-week program

Outcomes:

• Integration of Nigerian creatives into a web3 accelerator program for further skill development and mentorship
• Opportunities for participants to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world projects
• Enhanced understanding of the benefits and potential of Cardano's ecosystem

Measurement:

• Number of Nigerian creatives included in the web3 accelerator program
• Participant feedback on their experience in the accelerator program

Overall Project Outcomes:

• Increased awareness and adoption of Cardano's ecosystem among Nigerian creatives
• Expansion of the SPO community with a diverse group of community reviewers
• Empowerment of Nigerian creatives to generate income and fund their creative pursuits through participation in the Cardano ecosystem

The project's progress will be measured through quantitative data (e.g., number of participants, feedback ratings) and qualitative feedback from the participants. Regular communication and feedback loops will be established to track the project's outcomes and make necessary adjustments throughout the implementation.

Measurement of Project Progress:

• Number of workshop participants

• Feedback and engagement from workshop participants and accelerator program participants

• Increase in the number of community reviewers from Nigeria

• Success stories and testimonials from Nigerian creatives who have benefited from the project

• Engagement with Nigerian media, e.g. TV, radio and print

• Engagement with Influencers who share content with their audiences (we will measure this quantitatively).

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

This project aims to improve lives with incentives to learn, creating an ecosystem with knowledge.

It has been budgeted at 100,000 ADA a month for 5 months for the project to be successful. From this point on, we will use dollars to breakdown the budget at an estimated rate of 0.25 dollars to 1 ADA.

Budget Breakdown:

Milestone 1: Planning and Preparation - $10,000 ($80 an hour)

• Needs assessment and goal definition: $2,000
• Project plan and timeline development: $3,000
• Resource allocation and budget planning: $2,000
• Stakeholder identification and engagement: $2,000
• Communication and outreach strategy development: $1,000

Milestone 2: Workshop Development and Promotion - $35,000 (including social media ad allocation)

• Engagement with 10 top influencers at $1000 each.
• Workshop content and curriculum design: $8,000
• Venue rental and event space preparation: $10,000
• Marketing and promotional materials creation and distribution: $10,000
• Targeted outreach campaign implementation: $5,000
• Logistics coordination and participant management: $2,000

Milestone 3: Workshop Execution and Web3 Accelerator - $60,000

• Workshop facilitation and training for Nigerian creatives: $15,000
• Web3 accelerator program implementation: $30,000
• Mentorship and support for accelerator participants: $10,000 for ongoing support
• Budget for creatives to try SPO: $5,000 (straight to their wallets during the workshops)

Milestone 4: Impact Evaluation, Reporting and Dissemination - $20,000 ($80 an hour)

• Data collection and feedback analysis: $2,700
• Impact evaluation and report preparation: $4,000
• Project Management: $4,000
• Documentation: $3,000
• Reporting to the Community: $1,000

Hiring

We will be utilising Snapbrilla to put job opportunities for this project at the market rate of $25 an hour. There will be a pool of 200 hours for the tasks needed across marketing, project management, on-ground engagement, stage management, community management.

$25 x 200 = $5000

Fee for Snapbrilla: = $1300

Projected Total Cost: $125,000

This budget includes consideration of Oxford University Postdoc level research and organisation, professional data analysis and evaluation for impact assessment, graphic design and video production services for marketing and promotional materials, report sharing with the Cardano community and stakeholders and event management services for workshop logistics and coordination.

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

Dr Adaku Agwunobi (project manager) social media links:

• Instagram @DrAdaku
• TikTok @DrAdaku
• Twitter @DrAdaku
• YouTube /DrAdaku
• LinkedIn: Adaku Jennifer Agwunobi, PhD

I am a singer/songwriter, entrepreneur, and academic based in London and Oxford. With a PhD. in entrepreneurial health and well-being in the digital economy, I am an advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and is dedicated to creating positive change and giving opportunities to people. As a Postdoctoral researcher at Oxford University and a Research Associate at Wadham College, I am always involved in important initiatives and collaborations with executive leadership teams to foster inclusive and equitable cultures. I have a strong academic background, holding four degrees, including a PhD. and two master's degrees in Marketing and Health Economics. My expertise extends beyond academia as I actively contribute to the web3 space, exploring the transformative potential of blockchain technology. I has been involved in the Oxford Blockchain Society and has participated in and organised events and hackathons, gaining valuable insights and connections within the blockchain community including the 'CardanOx' student hub at Oxford. As a singer/songwriter, I released my debut album "the vibes are known" in November 2021 and continue to create music that resonates with my audience globally, especially Nigeria. I am also a co-owner of @BlackAndPhD, a global network for Black PhD students and holders, providing support, advice, and mentorship. My diverse experiences, research background, and commitment to EDI makes me a valuable asset in driving positive change within the Cardano ecosystem. With my passion for blockchain technology, entrepreneurship, and well-being, I am poised to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the growth and inclusivity in the ecosystem. I also organised a concert in Lagos (December 2022), where I taught Nigerian creators about web3, particularly music NFT’s. I am passionate about exploring tech from all angles and has also successfully launched creative projects such as concerts where she educated local communities on web3 and music NFTs. I have also been President and active committee member of several student societies. Also volunteered at her local youth centre for 10 years teaching dance to young people and adults. Part of 2 previously Project Catalyst funded proposals (fund 7 and fund 8) for CardanOx.

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

Building upon existing networks. The costs have been costed appropriately based on experience and research. I have organised several events with education as the object namely the 1st 'VIBES WITH DR ADAKU' in Lagos, Nigeria. The rates are appropriate for the intersection of a conference and music festival. The rate at industry PhD/Postdoc consultancy level would be higher than $80 an hour but we have included this rate to reduce the costs.

As a reminder: Dr Adaku Agwunobi is an Entrepreneur and Postdoc at the University of Oxford, she is also an Early Career Research Fellow at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Saïd Business School (University of Oxford) as well as a Research Associate at Wadham College. Dr Agwunobi was the first Black doctoral researcher to obtain a PhD at Loughborough University London, where her PhD focused on Entrepreneurial Health and Wellbeing in the Digital Economy, using Intersectionality as a Theoretical Lens. She has two Masters degrees: an MSc Health Economics and MSc Marketing (with Distinction). Additionally, her first degree was BSc Economics. She is a highly motivated individual with 4 degrees and a diverse background in technology, digital economy, fashion, music and health economics. Adaku did her first Postdoc at the University of Oxford within the Department of Engineering Science, working on orthopaedic clinical tooling to improve quality of life. She is passionate about exploring tech from all angles and has also successfully launched creative projects such as concerts where she educated local communities on web3 and music NFTs. She has also been president and active committee member of several student societies. also volunteered at her local youth centre for 10 years teaching dance to young people and adults. Part of 2 previously Project Catalyst funded proposals (fund 7 and fund 8) for CardanOx.