Mentoring Skills Sharpened for Inclusive Refugee Support: The IN2PREV Project’s 1st Capacity Building Training Seminar 

Refugees and asylum seekers often arrive in host countries carrying trauma, uncertainty, and complex needs. For many, the path to integration is further complicated by legal hurdles, social isolation, and inconsistent support systems. These conditions can create vulnerabilities that, in extreme cases, may be exploited by radicalising influences. Addressing these risks requires targeted, informed, and empathetic support from those working closest with these communities.
 
From the 15th to the 17th of January 2025, 47 professionals from law enforcement agencies and NGOs gathered in Poznań for a capacity-building seminar that marked the first of three in-person events designed to complement the IN2PREV project’s online modules. Organised by the Polish Platform for Homeland Security and IPS Innovative Prison Systems, it aimed to equip participants with the practical tools to support inclusion through mentoring and to better detect vulnerability to radicalisation as part of the IN2PREV project.
 
Participants arrived with a shared baseline of knowledge, having completed a tailored IN2PREV e-learning course prior to the training. Over the course of three days, they engaged in interactive workshops, keynote presentations, and scenario-based role plays to explore how to apply mentoring strategies in the field.
 
Discussions highlighted the importance of cultural sensitivity, trauma-informed care, and ethical principles such as non-discrimination and confidentiality. Sessions also tackled real-world barriers, including limited resources, language obstacles, and the challenge of maintaining mentees' motivation. Furthermore, the agenda integrated psychological, legal, and operational dimensions, thereby offering a comprehensive understanding of the refugee experience and frontline intervention. In particular, a standout session on trauma-informed care underscored the mental health dimensions of forced migration and the need to shift from security-based to human-centred responses.
 
Perhaps most notably, the final day featured a practitioner panel that allowed participants from different countries to share local realities and experiences. This ranged from the challenges of responding to a sudden refugee influx in Moldova to Bosnia and Herzegovina's post-conflict community support needs. These reflections both demonstrated the adaptability of mentoring approaches and emphasised the emotional and social value of cross-border learning.
 
Feedback collected during and after the event confirmed high satisfaction among participants, with over 90% reporting that the training increased their confidence and preparedness to use mentoring in their daily work. Most participants indicated strong interest in applying the mentoring programme in their organisations and reported building new connections with peers from other countries and sectors.
 
As participants return to their national contexts, they carry forward both practical intervention strategies, as well as a strengthened network committed to inclusive, rights-based approaches.