What does it take to back up young people who put their hearts and souls into nature conservation? EuroNatur’s mentoring programme MENC brings together dedicated mentees and experienced mentors, providing more than mere professional support.
What does it take to back up young people who put their hearts and souls into nature conservation? EuroNatur’s mentoring programme MENC brings together dedicated mentees and experienced mentors, providing more than mere professional support. The programme makes room for personal development, mutual inspiration and new perspectives. At the moment, the MENC programme is in its fourth round already, its continuation being planned. Leonie Kraut is happy: “All the positive feedback we’ve received shows that we’re preaching to the choir.” As EuroNatur’s Head of Administration and Human Resources, she co-developed MENC and has coordinated it ever since.
What is MENC?
MENC (Mentoring for European Nature Conservation) is a mentoring programme organised by EuroNatur and run with the support of experts from The Human Edge. This programme is mainly intended for employees of nature conservation organisations from all of Europe and the Mediterranean Basin.
“In my opinion, this mentoring programme is invaluable: Nature conservation is a cross-generational mission; it cannot work without long-term planning. Nowadays, especially, one must be able to radiate confidence, strength and certainty and to communicate clearly and with purpose – no matter what one campaigns for. In conversations, these skills enable campaigners, among other things, to raise awareness, to be open for solutions and, above all, to accomplish their goals against resistance. I wish EuroNatur the financial means to continue MENC for a long time to come so that many dedicated people can participate, have fun, learn about themselves and their communities, and be better prepared for future challenges.”
Note of a loyal EuroNatur donour
MENC reaffirmed my belief in how easily genuine connections can form across distances [CB4.1]and differences when there are shared values, purpose, and openness.
My experience with the MENC programme has been truly inspiring and enriching. The biggest highlight was the genuine connection I developed with my mentee Lisa. Despite never meeting in person, our sessions felt natural. Another highlight was seeing how the mentoring relationship evolved beyond defined roles – into a space of mutual learning, inspiration and trust. The programme gave us useful tools and guidance but also trusted us to shape the mentoring relationship in a way that felt authentic. The atmosphere of support, both from EuroNatur and The Human Edge teams and from fellow mentors, created a sense of community and belonging. I realised that effective mentoring is less about giving advice and more about creating a safe space for reflection and self-discovery. Since then, I've approached every conversation with deeper presence and curiosity, becoming a more attentive listener and a more grounded communicator – whether with clients, colleagues, or friends. The programme reminded me of the value of slowing down, listening and holding space, skills that enrich not only professional relationships but all aspects of life. The mindset and listening tools I’ve developed will continue to shape how I collaborate, communicate, and lead.
The mentoring sessions showed me how much personal growth happens on the mentor’s side. Personally, I’ve grown more confident in my ability to mentor and support others. MENC reinforced my motivation to keep combining impactful, strategic communication with mentoring, supporting individuals and organisations in conservation and sustainability fields. I want to express heartfelt gratitude to the EuroNatur foundation and The Human Edge for creating a safe, thoughtful, and human-centred space for growth.
All the best, Iva
I realised that mentorship isn’t just about learning how to perform better at work. It’s also about growing as a person.
My overall experience with MENC was truly beyond my expectations, and in the best possible way. Before joining the programme, I had a rather negative experience with similar initiatives – everything felt rigid, overly structured, and lacking in authenticity. But with MENC, I realised that mentorship isn’t just about learning how to perform better at work. It’s also about growing as a person and learning how to respond to challenges. Working with my mentor, Julia, was incredibly valuable – we found a dynamic that suited us both and made the most of every session. We connected so well that we’ve decided to continue meeting and talking regularly even beyond the programme. It’s been a genuinely enriching journey.
Another great aspect was the opportunity to connect with other participants in the programme. Even though we didn’t have a lot of time together, we still managed to get to know each other, which added a sense of community and shared purpose to the whole experience. The most significant change in my career since being involved in the programme was receiving a promotion at work. I genuinely believe that this was, at least in part, thanks to the support and guidance of my mentor. I began to see certain aspects of my work from a new perspective and respond to challenges in a more thoughtful and strategic way. This shift in mindset and approach made a real difference – and the outcome speaks for itself. One of the biggest “aha” moments for me was that mentorship is a two-way street. It’s not just the mentee who learns – mentors can also gain new perspectives from the relationship. That understanding has changed how I approach professional relationships and made me more open, reflective, and collaborative in my day-to-day work.
Best, Darko
(Kopie 7)
Simply hearing different perspectives, without feeling the need to have an answer or solution every time, was amazing. I also realised that things don’t always need to unfold exactly as I expected, sometimes they turn out even better.
