life in conc

City and municipality of Konz

Volunteer award for the "Digital Heroes" project from Konz

Award for intergenerational smartphone training

January 20, 2026 from Susanne Nenno
Award for the "Digital Heroes" project
ANKE KRISTINA SCHAEFER, © State Chancellery; ANKE KRISTINA SCHAEFER

Volunteer award for the "Digital Heroes" project from Konz

Volunteer award for the "Digital Heroes" project from Konz! The state government has honored Hermann Hurth, the senior citizens' representative of the local municipality, for his project idea. It's much more than just a typical expert-led mobile phone course for older people! The project was implemented in cooperation with the Realschule plus (a type of secondary school).

Award for the "Digital Heroes" project
ANKE KRISTINA SCHAEFER, © State Chancellery; ANKE KRISTINA SCHAEFER
The project participants at the award ceremony in the State Chancellery: (from left) Martin Lautwein (Realschule plus), Hermann Hurth (Senior Citizens' Representative VG Konz) with his wife, Philipp Kuske & Collin Pagan (students), Minister-President Alexander Schweitzer, Josephine Selzner & Florian Permesang (students), Andreas Weiler (Realschule plus) and a representative from the jury.

In this intergenerational smartphone training program, students from the "Digital Heroes" working group aim to empower senior citizens to become digital heroes themselves over several weeks. They answer questions, demonstrate smartphone operation and functions directly on the devices, and also point out potential risks associated with smartphone use. The very small group sizes allow for intensive and personalized support. The seniors themselves determine the pace and topics of the training.

The smartphone project took place for the third time in 2025. This year it will enter its fourth round, starting on February 24, 2026. Hermann Hurth is accepting registrations – via email at seniorenbeauftragter@konz.de or by phone: 0170 2782677.

The "Volunteering 4.0" ideas competition of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate awards prizes to volunteer projects that are implemented digitally or with digital support.

Here's a video about the project: