The second Capacity-Building Workshop of the Mentor Bridge – Paving Paths to Youth Entrepreneurial Success project was held in Estonia in early 2026, gathering partners and

ecosystem stakeholders to further refine the project’s cross-border mentorship framework. Building on the foundations established during the first workshop in Budapest, the Estonian

session focused on the practical design of a structured and scalable mentorship model. Through interactive assignments and scenario-based exercises, participants explored key elements of effective mentorship systems, including persona development, mentorship journeys, matchmaking processes, and long-term retention mechanisms.

One of the central outcomes was a clearer understanding of the differing needs of young people at various stages of entrepreneurial development. While aspiring entrepreneurs require guidance in identifying interests and building foundational mindsets, early-stage founders benefit from structured, iterative mentorship that supports continuous business development.

Across both profiles, participants highlighted the importance of realistic expectation-setting, strong onboarding, and well-defined mentorship structures to ensure meaningful engagement.

The workshop also emphasized that successful mentorship depends not only on expertise, but on careful mentor validation, ongoing feedback, and clear role definition. Participants discussed the need for continuous evaluation mechanisms and thoughtful matching processes to ensure high-quality, sustainable mentor–mentee relationships.

In addition, the group explored innovative retention approaches, including gamification elements, milestone-based systems, improved communication tools, and partnerships with

educational institutions to strengthen engagement and long-term impact.

The insights generated in Estonia will directly contribute to the development of the Mentor Bridge framework, supporting the creation of a structured, transferable mentorship model designed to strengthen youth entrepreneurship across participating countries.

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