ENCOUNTER Summary












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            Natural mentoring relationships (NMRs) can positively affect children's cognitive and soci
            development, well-being, and authentic agency. In addition, NMRs contribute to the interge
            dialogue and social cohesion in EUs societies, that is, to the current priorities of the E

            youth policy. Though formal youth mentoring interventions (FYM) that aim to foster the ben
            for socially disadvantaged youths are modelled on NMRs, there is a gap in knowledge on the
            benefits of NMRs experienced in the general population of young adolescents (12-15 years) 

            Besides, despite the recognised benefits of NMRs, no mentoring programmes target the empow
            (12-15 years) in mentoring skills in the general population, e.g. focusing on training for

            classes in schools.

            Building on the previous research on youth mentoring in the Czech Republic and beyond, the

            aims to examine the NMRs in experiences of young adolescents in the EU context, using the 
            qualitative research design that draws on phenomenological interviews and visual participa
            (PhotoVoice).