Implementing a Mentoring Program, Module 8 of InfoDev Business Incubation Management Training Program

On 22 March 2013 in Sofia, Bulgaria there was a training Implementing a Mentoring Program, Module 8 of InfoDev Business Incubation Management Training Program.   During the interactive training the business incubation managers and professionals from Bulgaria, Moldova, Macedonia and Romania discussed and exchanged ideas, knowledge and experience in trainings, coaching and mentoring. The participants are better equipped with knowledge and skills how to set up, plan and implement a mentoring program, how to find mentors,  to match mentors and mentees, monitor the process, measure its success and report. YES Incubator, Macedonia, Business Incubator-Gotse Delchev and National Business Development Network Bulgaria shared the experience and challenges they faced in establishing and implementing mentoring program, identification and motivation of mentors and assets for mentees. CITAf, Romania presented their experience in coaching and research while Moldova shared experience in technology network development and business incubation. The Mentoring is recognized as very important by the Bulgarian participants from Business Incubators and Business Centers as it adds value to the services they provide such as counseling and trainings. There is big potential for implementing mentoring in the next programming period 2014-2020, in particular for young people, as main priorities of EU strategy will be smart and inclusive growth.The BIs in Macedonia and Romania have already started their mentoring program and will work to improve them. The concept of the new MentorECA program for start-ups was discussed how could be implemented in the ECA region.Working in groups the participants developed and presented practical steps for implementation of a mentoring program