The Hungarian organization Lélektér Alapítvány played a crucial role in disseminating the outcomes of the ‘Connecting Cultures: A Step Towards Integration’ project by organizing a specialized workshop for volunteers and mentors in Veszprém, Hungary, in August 2024. This initiative aimed to equip youth mentors and volunteers with the necessary skills to support young migrants, ensuring their smooth integration into Hungarian society.
Workshop: Training Volunteers and Mentors for Migrant Inclusion
Held on August 30, 2024, in Veszprém, the workshop gathered volunteers, youth workers, and young migrants to develop mentorship skills, promote intercultural understanding, and create a stronger support network. The key focus areas included:
- Mentorship as a tool for inclusion – Understanding the role of mentors in guiding and supporting young migrants through social and educational challenges.
- Practical mentorship techniques – Interactive sessions on how to build trust, active listening, and goal-setting with mentees.
- Challenges faced by young migrants – A discussion led by migrant participants on the barriers they encounter in education, employment, and social integration.
- Intercultural team-building activities – Engaging exercises that foster understanding, respect, and cooperation between local youth and migrants.
The workshop featured real-life case studies, group discussions, and role-playing exercises to simulate mentorship situations. Young migrants actively participated, sharing their experiences and offering valuable insights into the type of support they need.
Strengthening Community Engagement and Volunteerism
To ensure lasting impact, Lélektér Alapítvány introduced an initiative to connect newly trained mentors with young migrants seeking guidance. By fostering personal relationships through structured mentorship, the program encouraged a long-term commitment to migrant support beyond the workshop.
Additionally, participants were provided with a mentorship toolkit, outlining best practices, communication techniques, and guidelines for offering emotional and practical support to young migrants.
Conclusion: A Foundation for Inclusive Mentorship in Hungary
The workshop in Veszprém served as an essential platform for building a stronger volunteer and mentorship network, directly benefiting both young migrants and local mentors. By promoting knowledge-sharing and hands-on training, Lélektér Alapítvány reinforced the role of volunteer-driven mentorship as a powerful approach to fostering inclusion in Hungary.
With this initiative, the organization has laid the groundwork for a sustainable, community-based mentorship model, ensuring that young migrants receive ongoing support and guidance as they navigate their new environment.
