Requirement 1
The project appropriately identifies the candidates to be mentored
R1. The project appropriately identifies the candidates to be mentored
To verify this requirement, the following standards must be demonstrated:
- Selection criteria for mentees have been established, including motivation, stability, and responsibility. In the case of underaged mentees, responsibility may be linked to a nearby adult support figure.
- People interested in being mentored complete a written application to participate in the project. In the case of underaged mentees, this can be completed by their parents/guardians or the organization referring them.
- In the case of underaged mentee candidates, their parents/guardians can provide informed consent for them to participate in the project.
If MC+ is chosen, it must also be verified that:
- The selection criteria for mentees are made public (meaning the organization can provide them on request).
- There are collaboration and networking procedures with other institutions and organizations for referring mentees according to the established selection criteria.
R2. The mentees whose needs best correspond to the objectives and functioning of the project participate in the project
To verify this requirement, the following standards must be demonstrated:
- The strategies implemented for recruiting mentees present the objectives and the activities of the project as well as the challenges for mentees and the resources provided so that interested candidates can make an informed decision about their participation.
- At least one selection interview is carried out with the candidates to be mentored, in which their suitability for participation in the project is assessed and the possibility of them not being accepted is considered. In the case of underaged candidates, the interview can be carried out with their parents/guardians.
- Procedures are in place to deal with the inappropriate acceptance of mentees and for managing their dismissal.
If MC+ is chosen, it must also be verified that:
- Mentee selection process interviews are documented.
- Project mentees accept a written commitment to a minimum level of participation. (mandatory)
- In the case of underaged mentees, their parents/guardians provide a written agreement to ensure the minimum participation of their child. (mandatory)
R3. Candidate mentors are appropriately identified as part of the project
To verify this requirement, the following standards must be demonstrated:
- Selection criteria for mentors have been defined, including adaptability, responsibility, empathy, and assertiveness.
- The strategies implemented for recruiting mentors present the objectives and the activities of the project, as well as the challenges for mentors and the resources provided so that interested candidates can make an informed decision about their participation.
- Various strategies are used to mobilize mentors (brochures and flyers, posters, media advertisements, web pages, information sessions, press releases, volunteer fairs and information racks, personal recommendations and word of mouth, audiovisual material, networking social, mailing lists).
If MC+ is chosen, it must also be verified that:
- The criteria for selecting mentors are made public (meaning the organization can provide them on request).
- Mentors are provided with the resources to ask people they know ‐ and who meet the selection criteria ‐ to be mentors.
R4. Mentors whose profiles best match the objectives and functioning of the project participate in the project
To verify this requirement, the following standards must be demonstrated:
- People interested in acting as mentors complete a written application to participate in the project.
- At least one selection interview is carried out with the candidate mentors, during which the suitability of their profile for mentoring is assessed and the possibility of non-acceptance is considered.
- In the case of working with minors, information regarding the lack of a record for crimes of a sexual nature is requested.
- The selected mentors provide a written agreement to establish a mentoring relationship for the minimum duration required by the project and to meet with their mentees at least as often and for as long as the program requires.
- There are procedures for dealing with the inappropriate acceptance of mentors and for managing their dismissal.
If MC+ is chosen, it must also be verified that:
- The written application to participate as a mentor includes questions aimed at assessing the suitability of their profile for mentoring and determining whether or not the candidate will be accepted.
- Candidate mentor selection interviews are documented.
- Personal and/or professional references are requested and verified for candidate mentors.
- If the candidate is not already working with minors, proof of no criminal record of sexual offenses is requested.
- There are procedures for managing mentor waiting lists.
R5. The project prepares the mentees to establish an appropriate mentoring relationship
To verify this requirement, the following standards must be demonstrated:
- Before initiating the relationship, at least one meeting is held with each mentee to address the following aspects: program functioning, commitment, boundaries, expectations, and questions regarding the first meeting.
If MC+ is chosen, it must also be verified that:
- Prior to being matched, mentees are provided with a minimum of 2 hours’ training on the following topics: the purpose of mentoring, the project requirements (for instance, the length of a mentoring relationship, the frequency and duration of meetings, protocols for no-shows and lateness, the ending of the relationship), mentors’ obligations and appropriate roles, mentees’ obligations and appropriate roles, starting and developing the relationship, and relationship closure. (mandatory)
- There is an evaluation procedure for mentees’ training aimed at maintaining and improving its quality and effectiveness. (mandatory)
R6. As part of the project, mentors are trained so that they can provide effective support to mentees
To verify this requirement, the following standards must be demonstrated:
- Prior to being matched, a minimum of 6 hours’ training is provided to mentors on the following topics: introduction to mentoring, starting and developing the relationship, ending the relationship, mentors’ expectations, the project’s objectives and the specific purpose of the mentoring, the role of the mentor, rights and obligations, mentors’ commitments, project procedures and policies (ethical issues), preparation for the initial meeting, resources provided by the project to support mentors.
- There is an evaluation procedure for mentors’ training aimed at maintaining and improving its quality and effectiveness.
- Training serves as a phase in the selection process to further assess whether mentors are suitable for the project.
If MC+ is chosen, it must also be verified that:
- Prior to being matched, a minimum of 8 hours’ training is provided to mentors on the following topics: introduction to mentoring, starting and developing the relationship, ending the relationship, mentors’ expectations, the project’s objectives and the specific purpose of the mentoring, the role of the mentor, rights and obligations, mentors’ commitments, project procedures and policies (ethical issues), preparation for the initial meeting, resources provided by the project to support mentors. (mandatory)
- A minimum of 2 hours’ training is provided on the opportunities and challenges in guiding and accompanying the social group targeted by the project. (mandatory)
R7. The project follows appropriate processes for making matches and for initiating mentoring relationships with the potential for high impact
To verify this requirement, the following standards must be demonstrated:
- Matching criteria for establishing mentoring relationships have been defined, including interests and hobbies, availability, age, gender, personality, and stated preferences.
- At least two members of the project team participate in the matching process.
- Boundaries in the relationship (unacceptable behaviors) have been established and made known to the mentors and mentees before the beginning of the relationship.
- An initial mentor-mentee meeting or a group matching event is organized.
- The project team is present during the first contact between the mentor and mentee to facilitate the introduction.
- After the initial meeting, and except in cases of premature match closure, meetings between mentors and mentees take place at least once a month for a monthly total of 2 hours or more over at least 6 months.
If MC+ is chosen, it must also be verified that:
- After the initial training, the project team meets with the mentors to prepare for the first meeting.
- The first meeting between mentor and mentee, or the group matching event, is documented.
- A trial period of at least 1 month for the proposed assignments is established to identify possible shortcomings.
R8. The project regularly monitors the progress and results of mentoring relationships
To verify this requirement, the following standards must be demonstrated:
- Details of each mentor-mentee encounter is documented, including at least the date, duration, and description of the completed activity.
- Mentees are contacted at least twice during the first month of the relationship and subsequently once a month to assess how the mentoring relationship is progressing.
- Mentors are contacted at least twice during the first month of the relationship and subsequently once a month to assess how the mentoring relationship is progressing.
- Quantifiable data provided by mentors and mentees regarding the quality of the mentoring relationship is collected on a regular basis.
- Mentoring relationships are evaluated at least every two months to determine if an intervention by the project team is needed. This might be initiating closure, reinforcing motivation, providing resources, etc.
If MC+ is chosen, it must also be verified that:
- A meeting is held with each mentee at least once during the course of the relationship to assess how the relationship is progressing. (mandatory)
- A meeting is held with each mentor at least once during the course of the relationship to assess how the relationship is progressing. (mandatory)
- Quantifiable data provided by mentors and mentees regarding the quality of the mentoring relationship is collected on a regular basis.
- The mentoring relationships are evaluated at least once a month to determine if an intervention by the project team is needed. This might be initiating closure, reinforcing motivation, providing resources, etc.
R9. The project provides resources to help mentors reinforce the impact of the mentoring relationship
To verify this requirement, the following standards must be demonstrated:
- Mentors are provided with resources to help them address challenges that may arise in their mentoring relationships (expert advice from program staff or others, publications, online resources, experienced mentors).
- After being matched, mentors are offered at least one opportunity to attend sessions to exchange information or receive training with other mentors.
- Mentors are given feedback on any changes in their mentee’s attitude or behavior to reinforce the positive results of the mentoring relationship.
- One or more group activities are organized for participants (mentees and mentors) and/or information on activities to be carried out during their mentoring meetings is provided.
If MC+ is chosen, it must also be verified that:
- After being matched, mentors are offered several opportunities to attend sessions to exchange information or receive training with other mentors.
R10. The closure of mentoring relationships is properly managed as part of the project
To verify this requirement, the following standards must be demonstrated:
- There is a procedure to manage the premature closure of a match, which includes the documentation of the reasons for the closure.
- Make sure that mentor and mentee have addressed the ending of the relationship in their meetings and intervene whenever possible if this is not the case.
- Regardless of the reason and timing of the closure, the project team will discuss the following topics with mentors: feelings about the closure, the reasons for closure, positive experiences, and challenges in the mentoring relationship, a review of the project rules for post-closure contact, if applicable.
- Regardless of the reason and timing of the closure, the project team will discuss the following topics with mentees: feelings about the closure, the reasons for the closure, positive experiences in the mentoring relationship, a review of the project rules for post-closing contact, if applicable.
If MC+ is chosen, it must also be verified that:
- The closure procedure followed for each mentoring relationship is documented. (mandatory)
- When the agreed time period has come to an end, the option to continue the relationship for an additional period of time is considered with mentors and mentees (and with parents/guardians where relevant), with minimal follow-up of the relationship and closure supervised by the project team member.
- A final match-closure meeting or event is organized for participants to mark their progress and the transition, and to acknowledge the change in the mentoring relationship. (mandatory)
- Mentees are given training and support on identifying and connecting with the natural mentors in their lives.
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