Challenge Area:
Educational Equity

Problem Statement:
Lack of verifiable credentials for informal education limits job opportunities for underserved communities.

Solution Concept:
A blockchain-based credentialing platform (e.g., Cardano) for issuing and verifying digital certificates for online courses. Smart contracts ensure tamper-proof records.

Expected Impact:
Empowers 50,000+ learners with verifiable credentials, increasing employability by 15%.

Next Steps:
Build a PoC with Cardano, integrate with an LMS, and document API for third-party verification.

Challenge Area:
Credential verification

Problem Statement:
Fake academic credentials undermine trust in education systems, affecting employability and institutional credibility.

Solution Concept:
A blockchain-based credential issuance and verification system. Educational institutions issue digital certificates as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), verifiable by employers via a public blockchain.

Expected Impact:
Reduces credential fraud, streamlines hiring processes, and enhances trust in educational qualifications globally.

Next Steps:
Create a PoC using Ethereum to mint and verify NFT-based certificates, with a web app for stakeholders to interact with the system.