Regens Unite: bridging global innovation with local impact

Project Description:

Regens Unite is building a platform to bridge the gaps between the broad range of sectors working on regenerative solutions, connecting expertise with innovation.

Launched in May 2022, we’ve successfully run 18 IRL events with a growing roster of new locations.

Our curated, in-person gatherings have programs designed to guide participants through professionally facilitated discussions and knowledge-sharing experiences. We create spaces to run experiments with community currencies and open-source technology like Citizen Wallet, as well as onboarding to open-source platforms like Gitcoin and Giveth.

We focus on:

  1. Intimate & Intentional Event Curation - With a team of experienced facilitators, we organise inclusive, participatory events.

  2. Facilitation & Programming Services - We support other events through programming partnerships, facilitation training or consulting, and marketing.

  3. Educational content - We produce digital media such as after-movies, session recordings, a newsletter, & a handbook to share learnings and support a growing network of climate-focused builders and regens.

Our work is funded entirely by donations and our core contributors work on a largely volunteer basis. Our events are designed to be accessible (both financially and intellectually) and our digital content is entirely free to consume. Our mission is to facilitate a global network of shared learnings, resources and support as a public good for the regenerative movement.

Public Repository:

https://www.notion.so/regensunite/Regens-Unite-f5fd3a35a62c4ba084f6ec33f760f57e

Budget Breakdown

E.g.

Milestone 1: $3k Regen Village Brussels after movie

We plan to produce a new movie (expanding on our sizzle recap video) that recaps our latest initiative in Brussels where we demonstrated how web3 event spend can leave positive impact on local communities - in this example, we launched a permanent coworking space and we also ran an experiment with a community currency ($RegenBxL) using Citizen Wallet that onboarded newcomers to their first wallet and use of a token. The film will also address the current problematic perception around the meme “Regen.”

  • $3k for post processing and creative direction

  • To be completed before Devcon (Nov 1)

  • Expected Outcome:

Showcase how Ethereum events can generate tangible impact and foster innovation in the cities they are hosted in, and also onboard newcomers with fun and simple interactions. This will help with business development to replicate or evolve this initiative in future events.

Milestone 2: $3k Community Spotlight Page

We plan to launch a community spotlight page to showcase projects, testimonials from key community members, and community service/product offerings.

  • $3k for design, copywriting and execution

  • To be completed before end of year 2024

  • Expected Outcome:

Provide a platform for regenerative web3 projects to showcase success stories, share resources, and connect with one another.

Milestone 3: $12k Onboarding event & community hub in Bangkok

The feedback from EthCC is that there was no onboarding-focused events. We are planning an event in Bangkok focused on web3 onboarding with the local Thai community, in collaboration with Ornella from Bankless Academy, Harpie, and others.

We are also applying to run a community hub within DevCon - which would be our ssecond after DevCon Bogota.

  • $10k for 2 people to plan the event during September, October

  • $2k for 2 people to travel to Bangkok to produce the event

  • Expected Outcome:

If successful, this first-of-its-kind event will lead local newcomers through a practical, hands-on, interactive onboarding flow experience with local translation and result in new wallet activations and community members.

Funding Requested: $18k / 8 ETH

Plans should you fall below, reach or exceed funding goals:

  • Below Goal: If we fall below the funding goal, we will prioritize the Bangkok event and the production of the after movie. The community spotlight page will be deferred or scaled down to fit the available budget.
  • Reaching Goal: Upon reaching the goal, all milestones will be executed as planned, ensuring comprehensive delivery of all outlined projects.
  • Exceeding Goal: If funding exceeds the goal, additional resources will be allocated to enhancing the quality of the after movie, expanding the community spotlight page with more features, and organizing additional events.

Impact Measurement and Reporting

Inputs > Activities > Outputs > Outcomes > Long Term Impact

Short-term Outcomes (0-3 months):

  • Completion of the Regen Village Brussels after movie, providing a case study for Ethereum’s impact on local communities.
  • Initial setup and launch of the community spotlight page.
  • Planning and partial execution of the Bangkok onboarding event.

Mid-term Outcomes (3-6+ months):

  • Successful execution of the onboarding event in Bangkok, resulting in new wallet activations and increased local community engagement.
  • Enhanced visibility and networking opportunities for regenerative web3 projects through the spotlight page.

Long-term Impact (5+ years):

  • Establishment of Regens Unite as a pivotal force in driving the adoption of regenerative practices in web3 and beyond through ongoing events, educational content, and a growing global network of services and resource-sharing.
  • Long-lasting partnerships with local communities, leading to sustainable impact and continued engagement in the web3 ecosystem.

Outcomes Measurement:

  • Event Attendance and Engagement: Tracking the number of participants and level of engagement at events (e.g., number of wallets activated, community interactions).
  • Platform Metrics: Monitoring activity on the community spotlight page, such as the number of projects showcased, user interactions, and content engagement.
  • Qualitative Feedback: Gathering testimonials and feedback from event participants, platform users, and community members to assess impact and areas for improvement. Tools such as surveys, Google Analytics, and community feedback forms will be utilized.

Interim Reporting

Regular Updates:

  • We will provide monthly progress updates via our website and social media channels. Detailed quarterly reports will be shared with all stakeholders, outlining milestones achieved, challenges encountered, and next steps.

Milestone Verification:

  • Milestones will be verified through tangible deliverables, such as the publication of the after movie, the launch of the community spotlight page, and the successful execution of the Bangkok event. A Karma GAP project page will be created to document progress and verify the achievement of each milestone.

Sustainability Plan

Our path to financial sustainability includes generating revenue through paid facilitation services, event sponsorships, strategic partnerships, and ultimately a paid community membership model.
Community members will enjoy exclusive benefits, such as access to specialized content, cross-promotion opportunities, early event registration, discounts, and participation in governance decisions.
Additionally, we will continue seeking donations and grants to support our ongoing initiatives.

Case Studies and Testimonials

Gathering Feedback:

  • We will collect feedback through post-event surveys, direct interviews with participants, and regular interaction with our online community. Feedback mechanisms will be integrated into the community spotlight page to gather insights from users.

Showcasing Success:

  • Case studies and testimonials will be compiled into reports, blog posts, and video content, which will be shared on our website, social media channels, and at future events. These success stories will highlight the impact of our initiatives and the value brought to the community.

Advancing Values of Freedom and Privacy

Regens Unite is committed to advancing the values of freedom and privacy by ensuring all digital content and resources we produce are open-access and freely available. We protect the privacy of our community members by adhering to strict data protection protocols, ensuring that personal information is never shared without explicit consent, and promoting decentralized tools that enhance individual autonomy.

Supporting Decentralization

Our platform supports decentralization by empowering local communities to self-organize events, share resources, and engage with the broader regenerative movement without the need for centralized control. We utilize decentralized tools and encourage the use of web3 technologies to foster a resilient, self-sustaining community.

Team Information

Leen - x.com

Guil - x.com

Cori - x.com

Xavier - x.com

Jeremy - x.com

Cori Schlicht: Founding member, managing partnerships, fundraising, and communications. 15-year background in commercial sales, customer success, and digital communications. Helping DAOs and public goods grow since 2022.

Leen Shelfhout: Founding member, managing community engagement and Brussels initiatives. 20-year professional background in facilitation.

Guil Maueler: Founding member, managing creative direction and storytelling. 15-year professional background in the creative industry, creator of The DAOist brand, and working multiple years helping DAOs to drive impact through powerful branding.

Xavier Damman: Founding member, managing technical integrations and programs through Citizen Wallet as well as organizing events in Brussels. 20-year background in tech entrepreneurship, from Silicon Valley to web3.

Jeremy: Founding member and Chief Vibe Officer. Managing community engagement and Amsterdam initiatives. Professional background in leadership coaching and facilitation.

Social Proof

Transparency

Our internal procedure involves transferring any funding on-chain, which is then used to pay for operational costs such as event production, content creation, and community engagement. All transactions will be logged and available for public review. Should we receive funding from Octant, it will be allocated primarily to these areas, ensuring transparency and alignment with our mission.

Other funding

  • Grant funding received since the last Epoch (e.g., RetroPGF, Gitcoin, etc.), including funding amounts:

All-time funding: $60k USD from Gitcoin QF Rounds, $11 k USO from Giveth QF Rounds, $2k from Celo RPGF, $7Ok from event sponsorships (went directly to event costs)

  • Other non-grant funding sources (like user payments, donations, staking or LP contributions to treasury, VC investments, etc.):
3 Likes
  • Total Funds Received (Previous Round): 4.2503 ETH (~$15k)
  • Total Funds Requested: $18k
  • Funds Spent:
    $12k allocated for event planning & execution of onboarding event in Bangkok (plus an additional Regen community hub at Devcon)
    $1.5k allocated for initial community page launch
    $1.5k allocated for video processing work as content for new Regen movie
  • Remaining Balance: ~.25 ETH

Plans for Next Epoch

  • Updated Milestone 1: Add newly processed media to Community platform

    • Description: Further development of our community page to include published video interviews/testimonials, after movies, and project showcases.
    • Expected Immediate Outcome: Increased visitor engagement through visually appealing and relatable content that showcases the impact of Regens Unite, boosting credibility and encouraging new participation.
    • Funding Needed: $3k for design, copywriting, content production and execution
  • Updated Milestone 2: Contributor Hiring to Support Content Creation and Internal Operations

    • Description:
      Video Editor: We need to hire project-based support for post processing of a signficant back-log of video content so that we can publish engaging interviews, recorded sessions and talks from our recent events in Bangkok (Devcon), Brussels (EthCC), Berlin (ETHBerlin) and London.
      Copywriter: We need to hire part-time copywriting, content creation and social media management support for our newsletter and social channels to get on a consistent track with external communications, reporting and content publishing.
      Treasury Management: We need to hire part-time admin support for treasury management, payments and financial reporting to establish proper processes and organize our finances. This is a significant pain point that we’ve identified - bringing in support will free up a lot more time for us to focus on growth and development.

    • Expected Immediate Outcome:

  1. Improved accessibility and visibility of Regens Unite’s work through published content on Youtube & socials, enhancing outreach and engagement.

  2. Increase in operational efficiency through relief of administrative bottlenecks, allowing the core team to focus more on strategic growth, development, and community engagement.

    • Funding Needed:
      $4k for post processing support of content backlog
      $4k for copywriting, comms and social media support
      $4k for treasury management & admin support
  • Updated Milestone 3: Onboarding Resources for Event Organizers

    • Description:
      We are continuously fielding requests, both within our in-person events and through online inbound calls, from organizers around the world who are interested to organize a Regens Unite event in their region or launch a local chapter. To enable this form of decentralized community growth, we need an accessible onboarding flow with supportive assets.
    • Expected Immediate Outcome: Increased capacity to field and support incoming requests efficiently, a streamlined onboarding process through provision of clear, actionable steps and guidance to new organizers, and new standardized materials that ensure alignment with Regens Unite’s mission and values while enabling flexibility for regional adaptation.
    • Funding Needed:
      $6k for 2 people to develop the webpage, content and assets
      $4k for lead generation and onboarding execution with event organizers
  • Karma GAP: Regens Unite - Bridging Climate Solutions with Events & Media | Karma GAP

  • Additional Funding Request: $25k

Adding Impact Criteria here (wasn’t possible in Karma GAP):

How should the success of your grant be measured?

  • Achieving specific project milestones as outlined, such as producing key pieces of visual content and program support materials, launching public pages to support community connection and onboarding, and organizing events.
  • Community engagement such as the number of participants in events, the level of interaction with produced content, new partnerships and organizer requests.
  • Qualitative feedback from attendees and community members to assess the impact and effectiveness of initiatives.

What is the intended direct impact your project will have on the ecosystem?

  • Facilitate collaboration by creating a platform for regenerative projects to share success stories, resources, and connect with one another, strengthening the ecosystem as a whole.
  • Driving increased diversity in the Web3 ecosystem by serving as a bridge, through accessible events and media, for newcomers to interact with the space and bring in expertise and new perspectives.
  • Showcase how Ethereum events can generate tangible positive impacts in host cities, serving as models for future events.
  • Provide practical, hands-on onboarding experiences to introduce newcomers to Web3 technologies and communities.

What is the long-term impact of your grant?

  • Grow a global network of shared learnings and support for the regenerative movement, amplifying its reach and effectiveness.
  • Driving the adoption of regenerative practices in emerging technologies, organizational culture and systems design.
  • Support local projects and community spaces that foster innovation and collaboration between web3 and regenerative initiatives, by funding such spaces through event spend, partnerships and future initiatives.

How will the funding be used?

  • The funding will be used to focus on the creation of high-impact content and communications to build a strong narrative and showcase stories in the regenerative movement, inviting new participation and community growth.
  • The funding will also be used to build out a support system for event organizers around the world who want to replicate our work, thereby enabling decentralized impact.
  • Funds will be used to expand the team with part-time contributors who can support these efforts with us and relieve administrative bottlenecks so we can focus on strategic, sustainable growth.

What is the timeframe for the work funded?

  • Regen movie: This will be completed for publishing in January 2025. Pre-production is currently underway to organize finalized footage.
  • Community spotlight page: Initial launch took place in Nov 2024. Ongoing development will continue through Q1 and Q2 2025.
  • Bangkok onboarding event & Regen Community Hub in Bangkok: Planning was completed during September and October 2024, and both events were executed in mid November during Devcon 7 SEA.
  • Contributor hiring for content & admin: Q1 2025, discussions are already underway to find the right humans for this.

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