ReGen.rocks - Connect
Change does not happen in a vacuum. Young people need exchange, resonance and mutual encouragement. "Connect" is the digital meeting space on ReGen.rocks. It enables young people around the world to network with each other, share knowledge, ask questions, develop ideas - and strengthen each other on their path to a sustainable, just and liveable future.
Connect is more than just a forum. It is a social network - without advertising, without the need for likes, without commerce.
The focus is on genuine exchange: respectful, cooperative, encouraging.
Goals of Connect
- Building a trusting, digital community of young changemakers
- Promoting cooperation - across geographical, linguistic and cultural borders
- Enable participation, even for those who are hardly heard offline
- Strengthening responsibility, change of perspective and empathy
Functions at a glance
User profiles with age groups
To ensure protection and suitable functions, Connect distinguishes between three age groups:
- 13-15 years: protected space with strongly moderated communication
- 16-18 years: more freedom, e.g. direct messages, group membership
- 19+: additional options such as mentoring and group management
Thematic groups and forums
- SDG-specific groups (e.g. climate protection, education, gender equality)
- Regional groups
- Exchange forums on questions such as "How do I motivate my school?" or "What can I do about climate frustration?"
Knowledge wikis and shared documents
- Groups can create and share materials together
- Collection of resources, links, checklists, glossaries
- Possibility to further develop content in an open editorial team
Community feeds
- Overview of current discussions, events, project ideas
- Visible according to interests or group affiliation
- Post types: Posts, surveys, questions, inspirations
Mentoring and peer support
- Older users or experienced changemakers can support younger ones
- Peer matching according to topics, challenges or interests
- Focus at eye level
Moderation and security
- Content moderation by trained teams
- Technical protection (e.g. youth protection filter, reporting function)
- Community guidelines with consent before joining
- Anonymous help function for excessive demands, cyberbullying, insecurity
The foundation of Connect
Values and attitude
Connect is based on four fundamental principles:
- Security: privacy protection, no data transfer, moderated room
- Appreciation: diversity is visible and experienced as a strength
- Participation: everyone can get involved - regardless of age, background or previous knowledge
- Connection: learning, growing and acting together
These principles are reflected in the language, technology and design of the platform.
Target groups for Connect
- Teenagers & young adults
- Committed school classes, groups, individuals
- Partner organizations that support or network young people
- Mentors, e.g. from civil society, science or entrepreneurship
Technical implementation
- Desktop & mobile version
- Data protection compliant (GDPR, COPPA)
- ad-free, independent
- Low-barrier design (e.g. read-aloud functions, contrasts, button navigation)
Learning and acting together
From Learn and Act to CONNECT
Connect is the link between learning and doing:
- Anyone who acquires knowledge via Learn can deepen or question it in Connect.
- Anyone starting up Act projects will find like-minded people or supporters in Connect.
Example: Emma is completing a course on the topic of "Zero Waste". In Connect, she can set up a group, share her own experiences, find fellow campaigners for a waste prevention campaign - and develop a project from this in the Act area.
Learn
Connect
Act
Role models strengthen motivation and self-efficacy
According to our educational concept, meaning, connection and effectiveness are key drivers for young people.
That is why Connect not only offers exchange, but also makes young role models visible who have already become active - in their school, their city or worldwide. These role models show:
- Change begins where I am.
- Even small steps can have an impact.
- I'm not alone - others are leading the way.
This creates a learning culture of encouragement: Learning through encounters, motivation through real examples, commitment through identification.
Join in - we look forward to seeing you!
Join ReGen.rocks
You don't just want to watch, you want to help shape it? Perfect! ReGen.rocks is currently in the development phase - the preparation of our Minimal Viable Platforms (MVP). In this phase, we are looking for committed young people and teachers to bring our idea to life, provide feedback and help us make ReGen.rocks the best learning, exchange and action space for sustainable development.
As a test user, you are part of a growing movement, get early access to content, can try out new functions and help shape how young people learn, network and work tomorrow.
Support
Education needs allies
To make our vision a reality, we are working on a scalable, secure and user-centered platform system that is open to young people worldwide - free of charge.
To do this, we need partners to help us build this platform - foundations, companies, educational stakeholders and sponsors who are willing to invest in sustainability - with expertise, resources or funding.
Support the development of ReGen.rocks and create a digital space for the next generation with us.