Grant Proposal: The Graph University Edu-Series

[admin]

Grant ID: 866aaxvm6

Summary:

In other to spread awareness of the Graph and Web3, this proposal aims to deliver the first in a series of educational workshops in select Universities across Africa.

The purpose of these events is to onboard new users, developers, and partners who are passionate about the Graph.

For this proposal, we will initially target students within the higher education sector across Nigeria.

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Describe what your project does or is aiming to do in 50 characters or less:
It is often said, knowledge is power, and so this proposal aims to empower by holding a series of educational workshops in select universities.

How far along are you?:
Not started yet

Why did you pick this idea to work on? Do you have domain expertise in this area? How do you know people need what you’re making?:
N/A

What’s new about what you’re making? What substitutes do people resort to because it doesn’t exist yet (or they don’t know about it)?:
N/A

What’s your vision for how your project will impact The Graph and/or web3?:
We estimate reaching an audience of over 100,000 people consisting of developers, academics, and students with educational resources centered on the Graph and Web3.

How will you measure success?:

1. Number of attendees
2. Workshops and content delivered
3. Participant survey/interviews

What milestones will you achieve in the coming weeks/months, with or without the grant?:
Milestone 1: Workshop Planning and Preparation (4 Weeks)
Completion of this milestone involves designing and curating the workshop content and curriculum, ensuring it covers the key aspects of The Graph blockchain technology. It involves allocating 100 hours to create a comprehensive workshop plan. Additionally, speaker fees and travel expenses for experts in the field are included, as well as marketing and promotional activities to generate awareness for the workshop. The milestone also accounts for venue rental and logistical arrangements to ensure a suitable environment for the workshop.

Milestone 2: Workshop Execution and Delivery (8 Weeks)
Progress toward completion of this milestone can be measured by looking at whether the workshop took place with a duration of 160 hours dedicated to its facilitation, and whether qualified professionals were recruited to lead sessions and engage participants. Technical support and equipment for a seamless workshop experience are also accounted for. Guest speakers with expertise in blockchain technology will also contribute their insights and expertise to the event.

Milestone 3: Workshop Evaluation and Follow-up (1 Week)
This milestone focuses on evaluating the workshop’s effectiveness and gathering participant feedback. A total of 60 hours is allocated for evaluating the outcomes and analyzing feedback. A comprehensive report and documentation summarizing the workshop and its impact are also prepared. This milestone ensures that the workshop’s objectives are met and provides valuable insights for future improvements.

Please select who you think will benefit from your project?:
Curators, Delegators, Indexers, Subgraph Developers, Other

How much funding are you looking for? (USD):
30600

Provide a breakdown of your requested funding:
Contributors cost= $14,705

(5 Assistant Faccilators = $4,700)
(1 Lead = $5,800, in addition to $4,111 for preparation work)

For a more detailed cost breakdown of the funding requested, please read the doc found here (Detailed Budget Breakdown - Google Docs).

Have you applied for (or already received) funding from somewhere else?:
No

If yes, please describe where you’ve received funding from and how much you have, or will, receive:
N/A

Can you share any information about current/past web3 experience?:
Over the past 5 years, I have actively immersed myself in the world of decentralized technologies. I have gained hands-on experience with blockchain platforms and decentralized applications. Through my involvement in various projects, I have collaborated with diverse teams, contributing to developing and implementing web3 solutions.

For example, I have worked as a Quality Assurance Specialist, a Project Ambassador, and a Web3 Writer. These experiences have deepened my technical skills and reinforced my passion for creating innovative and impactful solutions in the web3 space. I am excited to continue expanding my web3 expertise and contribute to the growth of this remarkable ecosystem.

Why are you interested in contributing to The Graph and/or web3?:
I am genuinely enthusiastic about contributing to The Graph and web3 for several reasons. Firstly, I believe in the transformative potential of decentralized technologies in creating a more inclusive and transparent digital landscape. Secondly, The Graph’s approach to indexing and querying data opens up exciting possibilities for developers and users alike. Lastly, I am inspired by the vibrant and supportive community that surrounds The Graph and web3, and I am eager to collaborate, learn, and make a positive impact together.

Are you applying as a team or individual?:
Individual

What type of grant are you pursuing?:
Project (one-off)

Please select the category your project best fits into:
Regional Community

Primary Community Poll

Do you fundamentally support this grant application, knowing that the final scope and grant amount may differ from the requested proposal?

• Yes
• No

Grant Committee Vote

Do you recommend this grant to the DAO?

• Yes
• No

[Gblock]

Hello, the Graph community, we welcome thoughts and feedback on the above proposal. Thanks in anticipation.

[asadus16]

Hey there! I read your proposal and have some questions running in my mind, so an answer to them will clear things for many of us:

1. How many events will this grant cover as the amount you are asking for is too big ?

2. Can you provide us some links from any previous events you organised ?

3. What will be your marketing strategy or the platform you will use for promoting these events, because you mentioned 100,000 participants ?

4. How are you planning to manage these big events without a team OR you have past experiences to host big events alone ?

5. You mentioned weeks in the proposals can you explain them a bit more please, how those events will take place in these weeks with a gap of how many days ?

6. I am eager to know more about your technical side because you mentioned that 100,000 audience will include developers too, how will you tackle them ?

7. I would love to see a more detailed roadmap of this grant than the weeks and 100 hours thing, which includes the number of events, day gaps between all the events, hours you will utilise on each topic in the event etc

Looking forward to your answers !
Thank you.

[Gblock]

Hello! @asadus16 Thank you for your questions and interest in our grant proposal. I’m happy to address your concerns and provide further clarification:

1. How many events will this grant cover as the amount you are asking for is too big?

The requested budget of $30,600 will cover a series of 5 events over the course of 8 weeks. This allocation ensures we have the necessary resources to deliver high-quality and impactful experiences for our participants.

2. Can you provide us some links from any previous events you organised ?

Although direct links to previous events organized are not available, please be rest assured that I can provide you with an abundance of testimonials and feedback from enthusiastic attendees who will participate in the events.

3. What will be your marketing strategy or the platform you will use for promoting these events, because you mentioned 100,000 participants?

Our marketing strategy will leverage a multi-channel approach. We will utilize

• social media platforms,
• campus radio stations/TV stations
• community engagement,
• targeted online advertisements and partnerships with relevant industry influencers and organizations.

These efforts will help us reach our goal of engaging 100,000 participants.

4. How are you planning to manage these big events without a team OR you have past experiences to host big events alone?

To ensure the smooth management of these events, we will have a dedicated team of co-facilitators (as hinted in the budget breakdown) with extensive experience in event planning and coordination. This collective expertise will enable us to efficiently handle logistics, participant management, technical support, and other essential aspects.

5. You mentioned weeks in the proposals can you explain them a bit more please, how those events will take place in these weeks with a gap of how many days?

Each event is planned to take place for 5 days with a gap of 7 days to the next event to facilitate adequate planning, marketing, organization, and participant engagement.

6. I am eager to know more about your technical side because you mentioned that a 100,000 audience will include developers too, how will you tackle them ?

I have done QA testing work for a number of web3 projects in the past (Link to my LinkedIn profile here). In terms of addressing the technical needs of developers among the 100,000 anticipated audiences, we will allocate specific sessions, workshops, and resources tailored to their requirements. Additionally, we also plan to recruit more technical experts who will assist in delivering the workshops.

7. I would love to see a more detailed roadmap of this grant than the weeks and 100 hours thing, which includes the number of events, day gaps between all the events, hours you will utilize on each topic in the event, etc.

We appreciate your feedback on the roadmap. We will provide a more detailed and comprehensive roadmap that outlines the number of events, specific dates, day gaps between events, and the allocation of hours for each topic within the events. This roadmap will offer a clearer view of our planned activities and ensure transparency in our execution. In fact, this is stated as part of our milestone 1.

[Colson]

Thank you for your proposal, and thank you @asadus16 for your questions!

I have a few more follow-up questions:

1. Can you provide more details about the workshop structure and content? What topics will you cover related to The Graph and web3?

2. The Graph AdvocatesDAO community grants program has a maximum grant amount of $20000. Would you be able to adjust the total grant amount to an amount lower than $20000?

[Gblock]

Hello @Colson I appreciate your follow-up questions, and I’m happy to provide further information:

1. Can you provide more details about the workshop structure and content? What topics will you cover related to The Graph and web3?

Our workshop structure is designed to be interactive and engaging, fostering an inclusive learning environment. We will cover a wide range of topics related to The Graph and web3, including but not limited to:

• Introduction to The Graph protocol and its significance in web3.
• Hands-on training on using The Graph to build decentralized applications.
• Exploring advanced querying techniques and indexing strategies.
• Understanding the role of subgraphs and how to create and deploy them effectively.
• Real-world use cases and success stories showcasing the power of The Graph and web3.

2. The Graph AdvocatesDAO community grants program has a maximum grant amount of $20000. Would you be able to adjust the total grant amount to an amount lower than $20000?

We appreciate your consideration of our proposal. While our initial grant request was $30,600, we understand the limitations of the maximum grant amount set by the Graph AdvocatesDAO community grants program. We are open to adjusting the total grant amount to be within the maximum limit of $20,000. We believe that even with a lower grant amount, we can still deliver a valuable and impactful workshop series, ensuring the dissemination of knowledge and fostering community engagement in the field of The Graph and web3.

Thank you for your questions, and we are eager to provide more details and make any necessary adjustments to align with the community grants program’s guidelines.

[Gblock]

Based on feedback received from @Colson here,

The Graph AdvocatesDAO community grants program has a maximum grant amount of $20000. Would you be able to adjust the total grant amount to an amount lower than $20000?

We’ve made an adjustment to the total grant amount.

Total funding requested for this proposal = $19,500

(3 Assistant Faccilators = $2,820)
(1 Lead = $3,480, in addition to $2,400 for preparation work)

These adjustments were made possible by reducing our initial operating budget and the size of the planned events.

For a more detailed cost breakdown of the funding requested, please read the doc found here. Thank you for your questions. If there are any more unaddressed concerns, please feel free to share.

[Lorena]

Thanks for your application
I would like to ask:

• Your background in this kind of proposal. Have you technical background?.
• Share the workshop plan and content that you are planning to explain
• Name of speakers
• who will be in charge of design curricula and workshop?
• where are you planning to organize this edu series?
• are you planning to record or stream this sesions?

[mjohan]

I would like to ask a few questions to gain a better understanding of your project.

1. How do you plan to select the universities in Nigeria for the workshops?
2. What strategies do you have in place to ensure the sustainability and long-term impact of the workshops beyond the initial series?
3. Have you considered partnering with local blockchain or tech communities in Nigeria to leverage their existing networks and resources for the workshops?
4. How do you plan to measure the effectiveness of the workshops in terms of the participants’ understanding and adoption of the Graph and web3 technologies?
5. Finally and most importantly, can you share links to previous projects you’ve anchored like this? Videos and recordings are fine.
   Thank You.

[Gblock]

Hello @Lorena , thank you for your interest in our grant proposal. I appreciate your questions and would be delighted to provide you with more information about my background and the workshop plan.

Your background in this kind of proposal. Have you technical background?

In terms of my background, as stated earlier in my response to @asadus16, I have a strong technical background, you can find details of my professional background on LinkedIn here.

Share the workshop plan and content that you are planning to explain

A similar question raised by @Colson above has been addressed. But to reiterate, the workshop will likely be divided into interactive sessions, group activities, and hands-on exercises to ensure active participation and practical learning. In fact, this is stated as part of our milestone 1.

Name of speakers

For the speaker lineup, plans would be made to reach out to renowned professionals and thought leaders in the field. Their expertise and diverse perspectives will provide participants with a well-rounded learning experience. While we are finalizing the list of speakers, I am confident that their contributions will greatly enrich the workshop.

who will be in charge of design curricula and workshop?

In terms of curriculum design and workshop facilitation, I will be personally responsible for both. I have a strong passion for educational content creation. My goal is to ensure that the curriculum is engaging, accessible, and tailored to meet the learning needs of the participants.

where are you planning to organize this edu series?

As for the venue, we are currently exploring options for organizing the edu-series in a centrally located and easily accessible space within the selected University communities across Nigeria. We want to ensure a comfortable and conducive learning environment for all participants.

are you planning to record or stream this sessions?

We are considering both options. I understand the importance of reaching a wider audience and providing flexibility to those who may not be able to attend in person. Therefore, I am planning to record the sessions and explore streaming platforms to make the content accessible to a broader audience.

[Gblock]

Hi @mjohan

Thank you for your thoughtful questions and interest in our grant proposal. Let me try and address your concerns:

1. How do you plan to select the universities in Nigeria for the workshops?

In terms of selecting universities, we plan to take a comprehensive approach to ensure broad representation and maximum impact. We will collaborate closely with local education authorities and consult with relevant stakeholders to identify universities that have a strong focus on technology and are eager to embrace innovative learning opportunities. Additionally, we also would consider factors such as geographical diversity and the universities’ readiness to integrate blockchain and web3 technologies into their curriculum.

2. What strategies do you have in place to ensure the sustainability and long-term impact of the workshops beyond the initial series?

To ensure the sustainability and long-term impact of the workshops, we have implemented several strategies:

1. We will establish partnerships with local organizations, educational institutions, and industry leaders to foster ongoing support and collaboration. These partnerships will help create a network of resources and opportunities for participants to further their knowledge beyond the initial workshop series.

2. A comprehensive post-workshop support system that includes access to online resources related to the Graph, and a community platform (eg Discord chat room) to facilitate continued learning and engagement would also be created.

3. Have you considered partnering with local blockchain or tech communities in Nigeria to leverage their existing networks and resources for the workshops?

Yes, recognizing the importance of local communities, we are exploring partnerships with blockchain and tech communities in Nigeria. By leveraging their existing networks and resources, we can tap into their expertise and engage with a wider audience.

4. How do you plan to measure the effectiveness of the workshops in terms of the participants’ understanding and adoption of the Graph and web3 technologies?

To measure the effectiveness of the workshops, we plan to employ a multi-faceted evaluation approach. This will include pre-and post-workshop assessments to gauge participants’ understanding and knowledge growth. Additionally, we will collect feedback during and after each session to assess the quality of content delivery, engagement levels, and overall satisfaction. Also, through surveys and follow-up communications, we could also track participants’ adoption of the Graph and web3 technologies and monitor their progress over time.

5. Finally and most importantly, can you share links to previous projects you’ve anchored like this?

We understand the importance of providing evidence of previous projects and activities. While we do not have previous workshops on this specific education initiative available as videos or recordings, I would be pleased to provide references and testimonials from participants and partners involved in the edu-series. These testimonials will offer insights into the effectiveness and impact of the workshops.

I hope this addresses your questions and provides you with a better understanding of our plans for the workshops in Nigeria. If there are any additional questions, please let me know. Thank you.

[juliannaMLN]

Thank you for the proposal and for taking the time to apply. I decided to vote NO for these three reasons:

1. Your proposal focuses mainly on planning, executing, and evaluating the workshops. It does not outline concrete plans for ongoing engagement, support, or follow-up activities after the workshops are completed, which can limit the long-term effectiveness of the workshops themselves.
2. The proposal provides a breakdown of the requested funding but lacks sufficient justification for the specific costs. It does not explain why certain amounts are allocated to specific items making it difficult to assess the reasonableness of the budget. (e.g.100 hours to be spent on content creation despite the fact that we have already various courses and materials you could use during the workshops).
3. The application lacks information on the presenters’ domain expertise in blockchain technology (especially related to the Graph protocol) and any previous experience or track record in organizing similar educational events or initiatives, any traceable activity in the Graph ecosystem or reputation in the community.

These details are essential for evaluating your credibility as a future grantee and your capability to execute the proposed project successfully.

[mjohan]

Like @juliannaMLN have clearly stated, I also voted NO for the following two reasons:

1. Need for more expertise: It would be great to know more about the expertise and experience of the individuals or team who will be leading the workshops. Having knowledgeable facilitators is crucial to ensure that the workshops are engaging and valuable for the participants. It would be helpful to have more information about your background in The Graph and Web3 to instill confidence in your ability to deliver quality content. When i asked for previous experience you couldn’t provide any.

2. Limited Impact Assessment: While your proposal outlines the number of attendees, workshops, and content, it lacks a clear plan for measuring the long-term impact of the project. Evaluating the success and effectiveness of the workshops is essential to understand their value and ensure that they have a lasting effect on The Graph and Web3 adoption in Africa. It would be beneficial to include a strategy for assessing the impact and gathering participant feedback to improve future workshops. Doing something alone isn’t enough, it needs to create impact but you’ve failed to show how.

[Gblock]

Hello @juliannaMLN,

While I would respect any vote decision you make, some of the points (eg points 1 and 3) you mentioned as a basis for rejecting the proposal have already been clearly addressed. I would advise you please read the entire thread following my responses above.

Another factor to consider is that making every detail about execution public on this forum may not be in the best interest of the Graph community in the long term bearing in mind the competitive landscape of the blockchain space.

Thanks for your understanding.

[Gblock]

1. Hi @mjohan , I appreciate your feedback. However, I have clearly addressed this, and also highlighted that some details would be provided later. Please carefully read through the entire thread.

2. Limited Impact Assessment: While your proposal outlines the number of attendees, workshops, and content, it lacks a clear plan for measuring the long-term impact of the project. Evaluating the success and effectiveness of the workshops is essential to understand their value and ensure that they have a lasting effect on The Graph and Web3 adoption in Africa. It would be beneficial to include a strategy for assessing the impact and gathering participant feedback to improve future workshops. Doing something alone isn’t enough, it needs to create impact but you’ve failed to show how.

To reiterate my response to @juliannaMLN ,
Making certain details like this on a public forum may not be in the best interest of the Graph community in the long term bearing in mind the competitive landscape of the blockchain space.

Thanks for your understanding.

[juliannaMLN]

Thank you, I did read your responses before meeting the decision, but it still has an impact on my vote. And I have to say that I don’t find our community competitive, quite on the contrary - we help each other rise

[Gblock]

Thanks for sharing your opinion @juliannaMLN

Although I can’t entirely agree with them, I respect your right to a different perspective.

[doxe01.eth]

Unfortunately, this grant proposal did not generate the level of support in the community to move it to the next phase of the grant application process.

Thank you for submitting this proposal and you are encouraged to stay engaged in the Graph community. You are also welcome to submit new grant applications in the future with proposals that may generate stronger community support.

Best Regards,
Graph AdvocatesDAO