About The ENCOUNTER Project












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            Experiences of Youth in Natural Mentoring Relationship


            Natural mentoring relationships (NMRs) can positively impact a child's cognitive and socio
            development. NMRs contribute to intergenerational dialogue and social cohesion in EU socie

            Council of Europe's Youth policy priority. However, knowledge of NMRs' dynamics and benefi
            by young adolescents (ages 12-15) in the EU is limited. In addition, there are no mentorin
            available for the general population of youths (12-15 years) in the EU, targeting e.g. tra

            mentoring skills for all young people. The EU-funded ENCOUNTER project will examine young 
            experiences in the EU. The research team will specifically compare the dynamics and featur

            including a comparison between genders, in the Czech Republic. ENCOUNTER project will also
            conceptualise a theoretical framework on natural mentoring phenomena in a child-centred pe
            articulated by the UN CRC.


            The ENCOUNTER project is designed as a ground-breaking innovative project on natural mento
            child-centred approach and research design addressing the gaps in current literature and d

            field, in line with the current EU's policies on youths and UN SDG 2030. It develops partn
            Department of Children's Studies, School of Education, National University of Ireland, Gal
            Europe, two distinguished partners of the project, to support its aims, objectives, and so

            The partnership with Children's studies includes co-supervision of Prof. Michal Molcho in 
            conceptualisation and integration of the rights-based approach of children's studies in na
            research. The partnership with Mentoring Europe includes communication and dissemination o

            results among youth mentoring practitioners and academics across EU countries.

            Three main objectives:


            • RO1: To examine the characteristics, dynamics, and perceived benefits of the natural men
            relationships experienced by young adolescents in an EU context.


            • RO2: To conceptualise the theoretical, interdisciplinary youth-centred framework on natu
            phenomena by reviewing the relevant youth development theories across disciplines and rese

            on NMRs.

            • RO3: To contrast the functions, characteristics, and dynamics of NMRs among gender; and 

            NMRs experienced by young adolescents in the CZ and an international context.