Supporting an ESC volunteer is more than being there when something goes wrong. A good mentor helps volunteers make sense of their experience, reflect on challenges, make their own decisions and get the most out of their time in the programme.
This one-day training is an opportunity to look at what mentoring really involves, exchange experiences with others and explore practical tools you can use in your own mentoring.
The training will focus on:
- Understanding the role of a mentor: What is mentoring, and what is it not? Where are the boundaries between a mentor, coordinator, supervisor and friend?
- Supporting volunteers in practice: How can we listen, ask useful questions, give advice and support volunteers without taking over their problems?
- Recognising different needs: How can we notice when a volunteer needs extra support, and what can we do when a situation goes beyond our role?
- Reflection and learning: How can we help volunteers learn from their experiences and become more aware of their own development?
- Handling challenging situations: Practical approaches for dealing with misunderstandings, motivation issues, conflicts and difficult moments.
- Learning from each other: Sharing experiences, challenges and good practices with other mentors and youth workers.
The training is designed as a practical, participatory learning day. You will have the opportunity to work with real-life situations, exchange experiences and try out different approaches rather than simply listening to presentations.
You do not need to be an experienced mentor to join. The training is open both to people who are already mentoring ESC volunteers and those who are preparing to take on a mentoring role.
Details
- Date: 12 September 2026, Saturday, 10:00–18:00
- Location: Egyesek Youth Association office, Budapest
- Language: English
- Meals: Lunch, snacks and coffee will be provided.
Further practical information will be sent to participants after registration. We look forward to meeting you, sharing experiences and exploring what good mentoring can look like in practice!
