OC-P 7: European Students Blockchain Coalition adopting the Open Campus Protocol

[ESBC]

Abstract

The European Students Blockchain Coalition (ESBC) seeks funding to advance its mission of fostering blockchain education, innovation, and collaboration among students across Europe. As a dynamic and inclusive network, ESBC empowers students to explore the potential of blockchain technology while equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the digital economy.

Through strategic partnerships, educational initiatives, and community engagement, ESBC aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, creating the ecosystem where students can leverage blockchain to drive impact. By supporting ESBC, funders will not only invest in the future generation of blockchain leaders but also contribute to the development of a more inclusive and sustainable blockchain ecosystem in Europe and beyond.

TinyTap is a named partner who will be advising and aiding ESBC in the execution of this proposal.

The ESBC is a visionary initiative uniting student blockchain associations across Europe and beyond. Our mission is to provide a platform for students passionate about blockchain to converge, learn, and educate. ESBC operates on three fundamental pillars:

1. Global Connectivity: ESBC is committed to knitting together a global network of blockchain associations. Through this pillar, we ensure that students worldwide are united in their pursuit of blockchain innovation.

2. Event Exposure and Attendance: We recognize the pivotal role of web3 events in driving blockchain adoption. However, the cost of attendance often poses a barrier to student participation. ESBC endeavors to make these events more accessible by offering free admission tickets, facilitating volunteering opportunities, and organizing exclusive student-only side events. By physically connecting students from diverse backgrounds, we enhance engagement and foster meaningful connections that transcend virtual interactions. To ensure inclusivity and broaden participation, ESBC is committed to providing opportunities for all interested individuals to attend our events. We will distribute tickets through a combination of strategic invites and raffles. For instance, in events like NFT Paris, European students will have priority access, while events like Bitcoin Nashville may prioritize attendees from the Americas due to logistical considerations. This approach aims to maximize accessibility and foster diverse participation within the blockchain community.

3. Knowledge Hub: ESBC serves as a hub for sharing knowledge and fostering continuous learning. In addition to community-driven knowledge sharing, we organize educational activities such as monthly webinars with esteemed Web3 companies. ESBC’s collaboration with Open Campus will serve as a discovery tool for web3 companies hosting webinars, thereby amplifying OC’s outreach. By partnering with ESBC, these companies gain access to a diverse network of blockchain enthusiasts and students eager to engage with cutting-edge technologies. As ESBC members attend webinars and participate in related activities, they not only enrich their own learning experiences but also contribute to the visibility and growth of OC’s platform. Through ESBC’s involvement, OC can showcase its offerings to a broader audience, attracting new users and fostering deeper connections within the web3 community.

Budget Breakdown

Total Grant Requested: $15,000

This budget breakdown reflects our strategic allocation of funds towards essential operational expenses, outreach efforts, educational initiatives, and partnerships aimed at achieving the objectives outlined in the grant proposal.

Here’s the breakdown of the budget for the European Students Blockchain Coalition (ESBC) grant application:

1. Legal Entity Setup: $1,300

• Setting up a Dutch entity called Stichting (Foundation) as a non-profit organization.
• Registration at the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel).

2. Bank Account Costs: $300

• Costs associated with maintaining a bank account for one year.

3. Website and Web Hosting: $400

• Development and maintenance costs for the ESBC website.
• Web hosting expenses for one year.

4. Marketing: $5,000

• Funds allocated towards marketing efforts to onboard blockchain clubs across Europe into the Coalition.
• Support for students in establishing blockchain clubs at their respective universities.

5. Webinar Platform Subscription: $3,000

• Subscription costs for using Webinargeek to host monthly webinars with reputable organizations within the blockchain space.

6. Event Partnerships: $5,000

• Seeking partnerships with blockchain-related events.
• Setting up side events exclusive to students.
• Offering free or discounted tickets to students for these events.
• Delivering workshops on stage for students.

Any other relevant information

In summary, while the ESBC foundation itself may not be open source, any subsequent projects or developments directly related to blockchain technology will prioritize openness and community-driven contributions through open-source methodologies.

Expectaions

Here are some expectations for the European Students Blockchain Coalition (ESBC):

1. Expansion of European Presence: We aim to unite all blockchain clubs across Europe under the ESBC umbrella, reaching over 10,000 students and universities. By fostering collaboration and resource-sharing among these clubs, we anticipate a significant enhancement of the blockchain community’s impact and adoption within Europe.

2. Global Outreach: In addition to our European focus, we aspire to establish a global presence by welcoming clubs from Asia, the US, Africa, and beyond into the ESBC coalition. By broadening our reach to encompass clubs from every continent, we anticipate engaging with a diverse array of perspectives and experiences, further enriching our community.

3. Scale and Impact: With a goal of onboarding more than 20,000 students worldwide, ESBC anticipates becoming a prominent hub for blockchain enthusiasts and practitioners. By providing educational resources, networking opportunities, and support for student-led initiatives, we expect to catalyze innovation and drive the adoption of blockchain technology across various sectors and regions.

4. Collaborative Initiatives: Through strategic partnerships and collaborations with industry stakeholders, educational institutions, and other organizations, ESBC anticipates spearheading impactful initiatives that advance the understanding and application of blockchain technology. By leveraging the collective expertise and resources within our coalition, we aim to tackle pressing challenges and unlock new opportunities within the blockchain ecosystem.

5. Sustained Growth and Evolution: As a dynamic and forward-thinking organization, ESBC expects to continuously evolve and adapt to the evolving landscape of blockchain technology and student engagement. By fostering a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and continuous learning, we envision ESBC remaining at the forefront of blockchain education and advocacy, empowering the next generation of blockchain leaders and innovators.

ESBC Today

The project has progressed from its conceptualization phase in 2023 to its official launch in January 2024. During this time, significant groundwork has been laid, including the formulation of the project idea, networking efforts, and onboarding of participating clubs. ESBC has already established a strong presence in 15 different countries with over 15 clubs representing over 10.000 people, with active clubs spanning regions such as Switzerland, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy, USA, and India.

The project has successfully executed its first event partnerships, notably with NFT Paris, where 3000 free admission tickets were secured for students. Additionally, ESBC hosted its inaugural Side Event, drawing attendees from Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands and featuring exclusive branded giveaways thanks to partnerships with Ledger & Tezos.

Looking ahead, ESBC has lined up a series of engagements, including participation in events such as Paris Blockchain Week, ETH Amsterdam, and the CONF3RENCE in Dortmund. These partnerships offer opportunities for student attendance, workshops, and further Side Events, facilitating cross-country collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Furthermore, ESBC has initiated its webinar series, with sessions featuring prominent industry players like Dfinity (ICP) and MakerDao/Chronicle Labs. Future webinars with entities such as Ledger, VanEck, and potentially VeChain are also in the pipeline, demonstrating ongoing efforts to provide educational resources and facilitate dialogue within the blockchain community.

Overall, ESBC has made significant strides in its development, transitioning from inception to active engagement within the blockchain community, with a robust lineup of initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration, education, and innovation among students worldwide.

ESBC’s Impact on the Open Campus Ecosystem

This project offers several avenues through which it can benefit the Open Campus Ecosystem:

1. Job Opportunities: By tapping into your network of blockchain enthusiasts, Open Campus gains access to a pool of talent that represents the future of blockchain. This collaboration provides Open Campus with the opportunity to advertise job openings, internships, and working student positions.

2. Research Projects: Collaborating with students on research projects gives Open Campus fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Additionally, having a pool of developers available to work on specific Open Campus use cases enhances the ecosystem’s capabilities.

3. Education and Student Engagement: Hosting webinars, workshops, or other educational events for students allows Open Campus to actively engage with the next generation of blockchain enthusiasts. This engagement not only fosters a deeper understanding of Open Campus’s technology and mission but also promotes adoption and awareness among students. By participating in educational initiatives, Open Campus strengthens its position within the academic community and cultivates relationships with potential future contributors to the ecosystem learners and educators.

4. Stimulation of OC ID and EDU Domain: For learners, Open Campus ID (OC ID) offers self-sovereign digital identities, enabling control over academic certifications, skills, and achievements. Students will interact with Open Campus OC ID and create an EDU Domain. Holding an Open Campus ID will grant students a unique .edu domain that will allow them to store their learner profile and educational data in a self-sovereign, decentralized manner.

5. University Adoption: ESBC members will promote Open Campus ID within their universities, highlighting its benefits such as improved administrative efficiency and student empowerment through self-sovereign digital identities. Through awareness campaigns, engagement with university leadership, and pilot programs, they aim to facilitate the adoption of OC ID as a transformative tool in higher education.

6. ESBC X TinyTap: ESBC will share the Open Campus ethos with higher education students and offer younger students who graduate from the TinyTap platform an opportunity to continue adopting digital property rights.

7. Network Effects: As more students, educators, and potential new learners adopt Open Campus, the value of the ecosystem increases, attracting additional users and stakeholders. The expansion of the user base not only enhances the diversity of perspectives and expertise within the community but also enriches the educational experience for all participants.|

8. Branding and Early Stage Support: By supporting initiatives like the European Students Blockchain Coalition (ESBC), Open Campus demonstrates its commitment to fostering adoption and shaping the future of blockchain technology. This early-stage support not only enhances Open Campus brand visibility but also positions it as a leader in promoting collaboration and innovation within the blockchain ecosystem.

Overall, this collaboration presents a mutually beneficial opportunity for both parties to leverage each other’s strengths and resources to advance the goals of the Open Campus Ecosystem while empowering the next generation of blockchain leaders.

[Haytch]

Indeed this project will enhance and foster the essence of the Open Campus opportunities, with very well detailed breakdown ESBC has demonstrated a clear foundation in cause with the OC project.
GOOD LUCK

[ThomasRadio]

Any opportunity to bring in young minds, like those outlined by ESBC and their constituents, is a step toward adopting blockchain technology across universities.

I’m all for this proposal.

[guylambo]

This is a super smart proposal and of great value to a lot of people. I hope the community back this

[hellowillfan]

Love the university blockchain club acquisition strategy.

1. Can you share more on the current ecosystem, and how you’re engaged, built a presence with existing blockchain communities?
2. What is your go-to-market for acquiring more student associations and what is the total addressable community for this?
3. Is there social proof behind the coalition, would be great to see what you’ve achieved so far!

[ESBC]

Thank you, appreciate it!

[ESBC]

Appreciate the support!

[ESBC]

Firstly, attached is a list of our current members, which you can also find on our website. We’re actively reaching out to student clubs, explaining the benefits of joining our initiative. Membership is free for them, and we have successfully onboarded clubs from over 15 countries, including prominent ones such as EPFL Blockchain Student Association in Switzerland, TUM Blockchain Club in Germany, and Nova Blockchain Club in Portugal. While we’re still in discussions with some clubs, our aim is to expand our coalition across other continents. We have already made strides in the USA and Asia, and after consolidating our European presence, we plan to focus on these areas further.

Regarding our proof of concept, we began onboarding clubs in September 2023 when the idea was conceived. Over the past few months, we’ve conducted numerous onboarding calls, culminating in the official announcement of our coalition in January. Our momentum continued with our first webinar alongside Dfinity (Internet Computer Protocol) in February, attracting over 50 students. Additionally, we recently partnered with NFT Paris for a successful event where we distributed 3000 free admission tickets and hosted our first official Side Event, drawing students from Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands. Collaborations with industry leaders such as Ledger and Tezos have further enriched our offerings during the Side Event, with exclusive branded ledgers being among the giveaways.

Next week, we are excited to attend the Paris Blockchain Week, where we have secured 50 student tickets for our community. We will be hosting our second official Side Event, expected to draw students from various European countries. Furthermore, our founders will deliver a workshop on stage, accompanied by a significant announcement.

Looking ahead, we are planning our second online webinar in collaboration with Chronicle Labs | Powered by MakerDAO at the end of April.

I hope this update addresses your questions. Should you have any further inquiries, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are more than happy to provide additional information.

[ESBC]

Thank you for the support!