Mentors’ ENgagement through Training and Oriented Results

<< Background >>With the rise of mentoring across Europe, it became relevant for youth sector professionals to have access to resources, tools, and methodologies to better engage in mentoring actions, especially when supporting participants in international mobility projects. By providing guidance to future mobility participants through a viable and effective mentoring system, youth professionals help make European mobility more accessible and alleviate the fears of prospective participants.The MENTOR project consortium has worked to address the following needs:• Tools for mentoring in an international mobility context: Providing professionals and learners with concrete tools to build an effective mentoring system and to train future mentors supporting upcoming participants.• Inclusion in international mobility: Ensuring that access to international mobility is guaranteed for all, particularly for people with fewer opportunities.• European dynamic for mentoring: Creating momentum within the youth sector and other European organisations to facilitate the implementation of mentoring systems.<< Objectives >>The main objective of the project was to strengthen the capacity of youth professionals to implement and/or improve their mentoring systems in order to facilitate the integration and support of future international mobility participants. This objective was fully achieved through the collaboration of the project partners, structured around four specific objectives (SOs):• SO1: Highlight existing needs and expectations related to mentoring in the youth sector.• SO2: Create a pedagogical tool for youth organisations and professionals to implement mentoring activities within their own structures.• SO3: Develop a training programme to prepare and engage future mentors.• SO4: Enable mentors and mentees to track the progress of their mentoring relationship.The following expected results were successfully achieved:• Dissemination of mentoring needs in international mobility projects across the EU.• Engagement of youth professionals in the implementation of mentoring at a European level.• Provision of tools to train, inform and support future mobility participants.• Guidance and support for mentors and mentees in the development of their mentoring relationship.<< Implementation >>Each activity was designed and adapted according to the specific target audience of each work package (WP). The main steps implemented were:• Tool design: development of a pedagogical tool aimed at raising awareness and/or training the target audiences on mentoring.• Testing phase with professionals or learners in all partner countries: piloting of the tool followed by the collection of feedback to ensure its relevance to the identified needs.• Tool revision and finalisation: adjustments made based on the feedback received to ensure clarity, accessibility, and relevance of the content.• Production of the final version: dissemination of an operational pedagogical kit, ready for use in diverse contexts.• Video creation, translation, and layout: production of a presentation or awareness-raising video linked to the tool, translation of the final version into the partners’ languages, and selection of the final layout.• Dissemination activities and final events: promotion of the project results through available communication channels and final events, to enhance visibility, impact, and ownership of the tools.<< Results >>The project results are as follows:• A transnational online survey was developed to assess the needs and expectations of mentors and mentees in the context of international mobility, aimed at youth professionals and intended to be disseminated at the European level.• A practical guide for youth professionals, designed to inform and engage them on how to implement a mentoring system within their own organisations.• A training kit for future mentors, providing them with the essential tools to understand their role and responsibilities in supporting international mobility participants.• An interactive tool designed to facilitate the follow-up between mentors and mentees through detailed thematic modules. This tool helps them structure their future exchanges and discussions while supporting the development of their mentoring relationship.In addition, two videos were produced:• WP3 – The benefits of having a mentor during an international mobility project.• WP4 – Presentation of the method used in mentor training.The project results constitute a comprehensive package to promote mentoring among the project’s target groups, offering concrete tools and essential knowledge.