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MENTORING PROGRAMME
PROGRESS
IN ROMANIA

During the meeting on 17.02.2025, the early stages of the mentoring programme were evaluated in separate sessions with coordinators, mentors, and mentees. Discussions emphasized effective relationship building, training protocol implementation, and planning formal cycle closures. Overall, feedback underscored the need for continuous evaluation, structured support, and clear communication for sustained success.
 

Meeting with Coordinators

In the first meeting, coordinators gathered to evaluate the early stages of the mentoring process, which had already transitioned from recruitment and selection into active mentoring. Their focus was on reviewing the emerging mentoring relationships and ensuring that the programme’s structure was effectively supporting regular, goal-oriented interactions between mentors and mentees. The coordinators discussed how the prior training sessions for mentors and coordinators were being implemented in practice, and they assessed whether the communication protocols and role expectations were helping to achieve the desired objectives. A substantial part of the meeting was dedicated to reflecting on the mentoring relationship itself—how the initial meetings were building trust and setting the stage for sustained progress. They also deliberated on the importance of planning a formal closure for each mentoring cycle, even though the process was still in its infancy. Establishing clear endpoints was seen as crucial for capturing lessons learned and formally celebrating progress when the time came. Additionally, the group examined the ongoing follow-up and support provided by the program organizers’, discussing any early challenges and considering adjustments that could enhance support as mentors and mentees navigate their interactions.
 
Meeting with Mentors
 

The second meeting brought mentors together to share their firsthand experiences since the mentoring process had begun. Having already undergone comprehensive training and having been carefully matched with mentees, the mentors reflected on how these preparatory steps were influencing their practical engagements. They discussed the structure of their current interactions and evaluated whether the established objectives were being met. Mentors highlighted the value of regular, structured contact and how it was allowing them to adjust their guidance to suit the individual needs of their mentees. They also recognized the importance of a predetermined endpoint in the mentoring cycle—not as a limit on their support, but as a milestone for eventual reflection and formal closure. This forward-looking approach was seen as essential for evaluating progress and reinforcing accountability. Throughout the session mentors expressed appreciation for the continued follow-up and support provided by the program organizer’s, which had helped them swiftly address any challenges and maintain a constructive mentoring environment.

Meeting with Mentees
 
In the final meeting, mentees offered their perspectives on the initial phase of the mentoring process. They recounted how the recruitment, selection, and matching stages had effectively set them on a path toward a supportive and productive mentoring relationship. Mentees discussed the benefits of the regular, structured meetings with their mentors and provided feedback on how these interactions were aiding them in reaching their developmental goals. They also emphasized the importance of planning for a formal closure at the end of the mentoring cycle—a step that would allow them to reflect on their progress and formally acknowledge the journey. In addition, mentees appreciated the proactive follow-up and ongoing support from the program’s organizers, which they felt contributed significantly to overcoming early obstacles. Their feedback confirmed that the initial training provided to both mentors and coordinators had created a strong foundation for the mentoring process, ensuring that the early stages were both effective and promising.
 

Conclusion

Overall, these meetings underscored the value of continuous assessment and support during the early stages of a mentoring program. Coordinators, mentors, and mentees all agreed that, thanks to solid preparation and ongoing follow-up, the mentoring process was off to a good start and well-positioned for future learning experiences.