The Portuguese organization ASSOCIAÇÃO INTERCULTURAL PARA TODOS played a vital role in disseminating the ‘Connecting Cultures: A Step Towards Integration’ project by organizing a practical workshop and mentorship simulation in Barcelos, Portugal, in September 2024. This initiative focused on training youth mentors and implementing a structured mentoring system to support young migrants in their integration journey.
Workshop: Establishing Effective Mentorship Programs
Held on September 8, 2024, in Barcelos, this interactive workshop brought together youth workers, volunteers, and young migrants to explore best practices in mentorship and intercultural exchange. The workshop covered:
- The fundamentals of mentorship – Understanding the responsibilities and role of a mentor in migrant integration.
- Communication and active listening – Equipping mentors with techniques to provide emotional and practical support to young migrants.
- Problem-solving in mentorship relationships – Identifying challenges faced by mentors and mentees and strategies to overcome them.
- Intercultural awareness and adaptation – Developing skills to navigate cultural differences and foster inclusion.
Participants engaged in hands-on training, group discussions, and case studies based on real-life mentorship experiences. The workshop provided a solid foundation for establishing structured mentor-mentee relationships and ensuring the long-term success of integration programs.
Simulation and Implementation of the Mentorship System
As part of the initiative, ASSOCIAÇÃO INTERCULTURAL PARA TODOS took a step further by creating actual mentor-mentee pairs among local youth and young migrants. This initiative allowed participants to immediately apply what they learned by:
- Simulating mentorship meetings – Practicing real-world mentoring scenarios, such as assisting migrants with education, employment, and social inclusion.
- Developing action plans – Each mentor-mentee pair set goals and expectations for their mentorship journey.
- Monitoring and feedback – Trainers provided guidance on how to maintain meaningful and productive mentorship relationships.
The simulation provided young migrants with direct support, while local youth mentors gained hands-on experience in guiding their peers. This real-life implementation of the mentorship system ensured that mentorship relationships continued beyond the workshop, fostering long-term integration efforts.
A Sustainable Model for Youth Mentorship in Portugal
By training youth mentors and establishing a structured mentorship system, ASSOCIAÇÃO INTERCULTURAL PARA TODOS successfully laid the groundwork for sustainable, peer-driven integration initiatives. The combination of training, practical mentorship experience, and ongoing guidance has strengthened the support network for young migrants in Portugal.
With this initiative, Barcelos has become a model for mentorship-based inclusion, ensuring that migrant youth have the support they need to navigate their new environment while fostering meaningful connections with local peers.
