MetaYouth Colombia

Studies from the  World Bank show that the metaverse is described as the next chapter of the internet evolution; the emergence of the metaverse and Web 3.0 technologies heralds a new era of digital interaction, commerce, and education. However, Colombia faces significant challenges in preparing its population for this digital transformation. Despite the potential benefits, the current landscape reveals a substantial digital skills gap that threatens to widen socioeconomic disparities and hinder the country's ability to participate fully in the metaverse and Web 3.0 economy.

According to experts from The Valley, the Alpha generation (people borned between 2010 and 2020) will fully experience the metaverse, benefiting from a more immersive and utilitarian virtual reality. In Colombia, where only 81% of urban homes in Bogotá are connected to the Internet, this city has a high connectivity level. The existing internet access infrastructure presents a sustainable opportunity to implement non-formal education programs in digital web 3.0 and metaverse tools, which could potentially bridge the digital skills gap.

In line with the current Bogota government's District Development Plan 2024-2028, leveraging information and communication technologies, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and big data, can potentially promote productive innovation and training through technological tools. This underscores the potential benefits of investing in connectivity infrastructure and guaranteeing access to these services in emerging markets, especially for the most vulnerable populations. However, the National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia's data reveals a stark reality in Bogotá: with a monetary poverty rate of 28.1% in 2022, approximately 2.2 million individuals live in pronounced vulnerability. Moreover, 75% of the city's population facing Unsatisfied Basic Needs (NBI) concentrated in 

vulnerable areas like Ciudad Bolívar, Kennedy, and Bosa, the urgency for targeted interventions becomes evident.

Colombia's status as the second country globally for the highest number of internally displaced people due to violence further accentuates the need for comprehensive solutions, with Bogotá serving as a primary destination, particularly as 51.5% of these displaced individuals now reside in Bogotá, primarily in vulnerable areas. 

The digital skills deficit exacerbates this issue. While 92% of jobs worldwide require digital competencies, only 4.69% of Colombians report having specialized program knowledge. Furthermore, most digital skills training offered by the private sector is in English, posing a significant barrier for the predominantly Spanish-speaking population.

The implications of this digital divide are profound. Within citizens, there is a risk of being left behind in the global digital economy without adequate digital skills. The inability to access educational resources and job opportunities in the metaverse and Web 3.0 sectors further perpetuates inequality and limits socioeconomic mobility.

Moreover, Colombia's position as a burgeoning hub for startups and tech innovation underscores the urgent need for a digitally skilled workforce. Failure to address this gap stifles local entrepreneurship and inhibits the country's ability to compete on the global stage.

As a solution, we are developing the content for interactive courses that explain fundamental concepts and show real-world applications in domains such as the blockchain, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and how these technologies build up the metaverse. These courses are complemented by informative talks and conferences held in secondary schools to promote the adoption of the interactive educational platform in which students have a real immersive experience in the metaverse.

Our proposal is innovative and unique in Colombia, and to implement these resources directly in secondary schools we plan to have a vehicle equipped with educational materials and technological devices such as VR headsets like Meta Quest devices for immersive experiences. This traveling learning center will go to several schools and communities in vulnerable areas of Bogotá, guaranteeing equitable access to digital education. Additionally, we will conduct workshops and training sessions for students and teachers, equipping them with the digital skills necessary to leverage these technological web 3.0 tools effectively.

Our solution is designed to benefit young people between 11 and 16 years old from the towns of Ciudad Bolívar, Bosa, and Kennedy in the city of Bogotá. These young people attend educational institutions in vulnerable areas and study basic education (grades 6 to 9) and average education (10 and 11). This population currently faces significant gaps in access to educational and economic opportunities and the digital technologies critical to thriving in today's global economy.

The lack of access to digital education and the skills to participate in the digital economy in Bogota represents a significant barrier to the progress of these youth and young adults. Our solution seeks to close this gap by acting as a bridge to new technologies and providing access to vital tools and knowledge in the modern world. By offering online courses and hands-on activities that address topics such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, we allow this population to acquire critical digital skills that will improve their employment and economic prospects.

Our solution is not just about providing access to digital education and skills. It's about transforming lives. By exposing these young people to the career possibilities and real-world applications of new technologies, our solution opens up a world of opportunities. It broadens their horizons, equips them with skills relevant to the digital economy, and empowers them to meet the challenges and the opportunities of the ever-evolving digital world. This is not just about their educational and professional future, but about their lives.

Our solution is not a solitary endeavor. We are committed to creating strategic partnerships with educational institutions, community-based organizations, youth centers, and local libraries in the districts of Kennedy, Bosa, and Ciudad Bolivar. Through these collaborations, we will conduct tailored workshops for educators, equipping them with the necessary tools to support students in developing their digital skills.

Maps Monetary Poverty Areas of Bogota focus on the proposal:

Our bilingual team has experience in computer science and education areas:

• Danny Gonzalez Marin, known in the digital sphere as "Nomadan," leads the team with a solid computer science background and outstanding experience in emerging technologies. He has specialized in "Extended Reality and Metaverse for Everyone" at the Universidad de los Andes and has extensive knowledge in Web3 technologies such as artificial intelligence, metaverse, and NFTs. As a computer science graduate, he has demonstrated notable leadership as CEO of Dynamic Node Builders (DNB), where he has driven high-growth project-building assets in the metaverse, especially on the Upland blockchain platform. Since the creation of DNB, the team has acquired several properties across the metaverse. In addition, Nomadan has established several active 3D galleries/spaces on the Spatial.io platform and has experience creating digital assets on the blockchain, Nomadan has led a team prepared to implement innovative solutions in the metaverse according to the needs of the project.

• Lisa Lange, known in the digital sphere as "Mesmee," with a background as a college educator, brings to our team a wealth of practical experience to the table. With a strong background in English and extensive experience teaching composition, literature, and college success, she is committed to inclusive teaching, as reflected in her graduate certificate in Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices. Lisa is not just an academic, but also an active participant in the metaverse, where she owns a majority of properties and digital asset businesses. Her deep knowledge of the Upland metaverse, the technologies that comprise it, and the trends in the creation and trading of NFTs allows her to effectively integrate innovative digital concepts and tools into the project.

• Adriana Sandoval, our proposal advisor, brings a unique perspective to our team. With a solid background as a Public Administrator and a specialist in International Cooperation and Project Management for Development, she has a Master's degree in Government and a Master's degree in Political Management from George Washington University. Her commitment to education and development is evident in her extensive experience as a university professor, head of department, and director at the most important public university in Bogotá. Adriana has also ventured into Metaverse Public Policy consulting, where she has demonstrated an innovative approach to integrating education and technology for the personal and professional development of students.

In addition, from the current team, if this initiative is selected, the team will seek to make alliances with local basic and secondary educational institutions and the government sector to develop the proposal and make alliances with universities and experts. Local on issues of pedagogy and technology to enhance capabilities and development.

Our proposal is still in the concept stage, as we are currently working on the content for the courses, talks and workshops proposed. For this proposal, we have conducted extensive research to understand the needs of our target population. Our focus previous to this proposal, has been building a brand and increasing our presence as experts on the metaverse and related online communities. This brand is called DNB, which stands for Dynamic Node Builders. We have selected the Upland metaverse as our operations center. At DNB, we have the infrastructure to design, create and launch digital assets that can support any of our projects. We also have the infrastructure to create and host digital spaces, such as 3D galleries that can showcase artwork and presentations and also can work as classrooms.

While we haven’t served any customers or beneficiaries of our target audience, the work, research and planning activities that we have conducted have laid the groundwork for the next phase of our project. This involves the content creation for the courses, talks and workshops as well as the travel learning center to distribute this and make it accessible for the target audience. 

Being selected to receive funding would provide us with the necessary resources to enhance our project and expand its reach. With these funds, we could develop and improve our educational activities aimed at children and young people from highly vulnerable areas in Bogotá, allowing them to acquire the digital skills necessary to thrive in the metaverse and web 3.0. In addition, the financing would allow us to access specialized advice in critical areas such as legal and public relations, which would help us strengthen our project and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Being selected would also give us valuable exposure and the opportunity to interact globally with potential stakeholders and collaborators. This visibility would allow us to establish strategic connections, collaborate with experts in various fields, and access additional resources that could further advance our project. Ultimately, the funding and exposure gained through this selection would help us scale our project and maximize its impact on vulnerable communities in Bogotá and beyond.

Our proposal is not just about addressing the technological educational needs of high school students, children, and vulnerable young people in Bogotá aged between 11 and 16. It's a transformative initiative that integrates innovative elements, designed to catalyze significant social change and uplift these children and their families' futures, instilling hope and optimism.

The heart of our approach lies in our pioneering role in Colombia, where we lead the integration of cutting-edge concepts like the metaverse and Web 3 technology. Complemented by direct interaction with an ongoing metaverse such as the one our project is based on, this enriches the learning experience and serves as a potent catalyst for empowerment, particularly within Bogotá's vulnerable communities, inspiring and motivating them to reach their full potential.

Through direct engagement with the metaverse, participants gain invaluable knowledge and skills. This experience seamlessly bridges the virtual and real worlds, equipping vulnerable youth in Bogotá with the practical tools they need to realize their full potential. In doing so, we not only prepare them for promising job opportunities on the global stage but also foster a culture of innovation within the local community.

Our proposal embodies our unwavering dedication to innovation and our profound commitment to generating tangible social impact. By transforming and improving the lives of underprivileged children and young people in Bogotá, we strive to create a brighter, more promising future for all.

Our solution aims to address the pressing digital skills gap in Colombia, particularly in Bogotá, by implementing interactive educational programs focused on the metaverse and Web 3.0 technologies. Here's how and why we expect our solution to have a significant impact on the problem:

• Tailored Educational Content: We are developing interactive courses to explain fundamental concepts of emerging technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and mixed realities. By tailoring the content to the needs of high school students and vulnerable young people aged 11 to 16, we ensure it is accessible and engaging.
• Real-World Applications: Our courses cover theoretical knowledge and showcase real-world applications of these technologies. Demonstrating how these concepts are utilized in various industries makes the learning experience relevant and practical, increasing the likelihood of knowledge retention and application.
• Immersive Learning Experiences: We provide participants with hands-on learning opportunities through immersive virtual experiences. This approach allows them to engage directly with the metaverse, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. Immersive experiences are compelling for visual and kinesthetic learners, enhancing comprehension and retention.

Our impact objectives for the solution aim to address the digital skills gap in Bogotá comprehensively:

• Increase digital literacy: Our main objective is to increase digital literacy in the metaverse and Web 3.0 among high school students and vulnerable youth aged 11 to 16 in Bogotá. This will equip them with the necessary skills for the digital age, enhancing their academic and career prospects. We will measure progress by tracking the number of participants who complete our courses.
• Contribute to the generation of employability skills: We want to introduce students to the world of the metaverse and Web 3.0. so that they become passionate about acquiring the necessary skills to access job opportunities in these sectors, contribute to training great engineers, and learn about technological topics. In the long term, we will measure this indicator by monitoring the careers of the students who have participated in our programs. These job competitiveness parameters can be established according to studies and indexes from sites such as LinkedIn and used as a development program. The fact that these skills are covered means that students recur in different courses to add skills.
• Community Participation: We value the role of the community in our initiative. We seek to not only encourage their participation but also rely on their support for the success of our program. Progress will be measured by evaluating attendance and feedback from informative talks and conferences held in secondary schools, as well as the level of participation of teachers, parents and local organizations in promoting our educational platform 
• Empowerment and Inspiration: Our goal is to inspire and empower participants to pursue educational and career opportunities they would not have otherwise considered. Progress will be measured through qualitative assessments, such as participant testimonials and anecdotal evidence of increased motivation and aspirations among participants.

Dapp. Our solution includes interaction with a decentralized application called Upland. We did not create it, but we are part of it. This app is based on EOS blockchain. Integrates different technologies such as smart contracts, 3D design, DeFi, and more. 

Blockchain. We can create digital collectible assets on the EOS blockchain, which this app is hosted on, and on the WAX blockchain. 

Virtual reality. We are able to design and create virtual reality spaces to showcase different artists, designers, content creators and more. We intend to acquire VR headsets in order to introduce the impacted population to this technology.  

Our core team consists of three people: a Project Director, the creator of the idea who works full time in the project, and two Advisors who contribute their valuable experience from the educational sector to the formulation stage of our initiative. As we move into the execution phase, we plan to expand our team by inviting professionals from various disciplines to join us. This collaborative approach will allow us to leverage a wide range of knowledge and perspectives, ensuring the success and sustainability of our project in a holistic and inclusive approach to address the digital skills gap and foster the socioeconomic empowerment of Bogotá's youth population.

We have dedicated extensive time and effort to the development of our metaverse project, committing a total of one year and four months to its conceptualization and refinement. Subsequently, we have devoted an additional two months to the meticulous crafting and fine-tuning of our solution. This focused period of development underscores our commitment to delivering a robust and innovative product that meets the evolving needs of our target audience.

We are a bilingual team from the US and Colombia, fostering a diverse environment that sparks creativity and innovation. Our goal is to further diversify our team with individuals from both countries.The metaverse reduces the real world barriers when it comes to connectivity, we are part of a diverse community One of our team members, who grew up in Bosa, one of the towns where we will work, has provided us with a deep understanding of the real context of the vulnerable student situation. This personal connection fuels our empathy and commitment to making a difference. Communication is the key to our successful collaboration, and we celebrate our differences by creating spaces to learn about other cultures. We strive to build a culture where everyone is respected, appreciated, and genuinely included.  In addition, our proposal includes inviting a marinade and achieving a more significant impact.

Our business model encompasses various income streams, serving individuals and organizations, ensuring financial sustainability and scalability. 

• Direct-to-Consumer Sales.
• Partnerships with Universities, Educational Institutes, local libraries, and local organizations.
• Corporate Training and Custom Programs,
• Subscription models and premium content

Our business model is designed to provide diverse products and services to individuals, organizations, and potentially government entities, ensuring financial sustainability and scalability. Here's a more detailed breakdown of our plan to achieve economic sustainability:

• Direct-to-Consumer Sales: We will sell our courses to individual students through online platforms such as Hotmart, Platzi, Udemy, and similar platforms. By offering our educational content to a global audience, we can generate revenue through course registrations, subscriptions, and one-time purchases.
• Partnerships with Universities, Educational Institutes, local libraries, and local organizations: Our collaboration with local universities and educational institutes is a strategic move that allows us to tap into their institutional networks and student populations. By offering our courses as supplemental training or professional development programs, we provide these institutions with a valuable resource to enhance their curriculum and attract students, fostering mutual growth since our team members have experience in the educational sector, which is critical to establishing alliances with this type of actors.
• Corporate Training and Custom Programs: We will develop customized training programs that address the specific needs of corporate clients and organizations. These high-value programs, including in-person workshops, online courses, or blended learning experiences focused on digital skills and emerging technologies, will generate revenue through consulting fees, program development, and ongoing support services, ensuring a steady income stream.
• Subscription models and premium content: Implementing subscription-based models to access our educational content can provide recurring revenue streams and foster long-term engagement with students. Premium content, such as advanced courses, live webinars, or custom training, can be offered as upsells to attract subscribers and generate additional revenue.
• Continuous Evaluation and Strategic Adjustments: We are committed to diligently tracking and analyzing key metrics to assess the effectiveness of our business model. This proactive approach ensures that we can make strategic adjustments as necessary, demonstrating our adaptability and commitment to long-term financial sustainability and impact. This reassures our audience of our business's resilience and ability to navigate changing circumstances.