StandICT.eu Mentorship Programme accompanies experts who applied to the StandICT.eu open calls and benefit from StandICT.eu financial support. More experienced experts (and notably returning StandICT.eu fellows) are given the possibility to be voluntarily put in contact with new funded fellows, matching their areas of expertise.
Mentoring a new generation of European standardisation experts
The Mentorship Programme has the objective to accompany those experts who have successfully applied to one of StandICT Open Calls into the standardisation ecosystem.
The initiative is designed to help new or less experienced experts engage effectively in the work of Standards Developing Organisations (SDOs) by providing them with guidance, practical tips, and mentorship from seasoned professionals.
This allows experienced StandICT.eu Fellows to share their expertise with a new generation of European professionals, helping to ensure that the European Union maintains a strong and sustainable standardisation knowledge base for the future.
How to Join the Mentorship Programme in the Open Call application form
A new question can now be found in the general application form, asking whether the applicant is interested in participating in this mentorship programme – either as a mentor, or as a mentee. The StandICT.eu team will then proceed to match the interested funded fellows from each new Open Call on the base of similar topics of expertise and monitor the process.
- What is the purpose of the Mentorship Programme?
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The programme supports newcomers in European standardisation by connecting them with more experienced experts. It allows mentees to learn about the processes of Standards Developing Organisations (SDOs), benefit from practical tips, and expand their professional network. At the same time, mentors contribute to passing on their knowledge to a new generation of experts, helping to strengthen the overall European standardisation community.
- What are the benefits of participating in the Programme?
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For mentees, the programme offers guidance from experienced fellows, helping them better understand the European and international standardisation ecosystem and improve their chances of success in open calls. It is also a valuable opportunity to build connections within the community, gain practical insights into committee work, and increase visibility through success stories and other communication activities. For mentors, participation is a way to share their knowledge with a new generation of experts while expanding their own network. It provides recognition for their efforts, strengthens their visibility and reputation in the standardisation community, and contributes to ensuring continuity of expertise at European level. Further opportunities for recognition are also being developed to highlight the contribution of active participants even more.
- How does the pairing work?
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Each mentee is paired with two mentors. The matching is based on the relevance of expertise, main standardisation topics, and the SDOs where participants are active. Pairings are initiated by the programme team, who introduce mentors and mentees via email and suggest first steps. Mentees may also request additional contacts with other mentors if needed.
- What is expected from mentors and mentees?
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Mentors and mentees are free to organise their interaction in the way that best suits them. Common practices include:
- One-to-one exchanges and introductory calls.
- Sharing of relevant resources and documentation.
- Invitations to relevant meetings, conferences, working groups or other relevant activities are welcome and encouraged
It is recommended that mentees initiate the first call, clarifying the areas where they seek guidance. A short, regular check-in (for example every two weeks) is encouraged to maintain continuity.
- How long does the mentorship last?
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The mentorship period is flexible and typically follows the duration of the mentee’s fellowship. While there is an official timeframe, participants are welcome to continue their exchanges beyond it, if they wish.
- How is feedback collected?
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At the end of each mentorship cycle, a feedback process is organised to reflect on the experiences and identify improvements. Participants are invited to share their input, either during a dedicated feedback session or through a short questionnaire.
- Is there additional material that can support the initiative?
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The StandICT.eu Training Academy offers material to elevate your expertise in ICT standardisation and learn through comprehensive training modules. It caters to a wide range of professionals from startups to SMEs, large companies and government representatives.
- Will success stories be shared?
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If both mentor and mentee agree, highlights from their collaboration may be featured on the programme’s website. This provides visibility to participants and showcases the value of the initiative to the wider community.
If agreed upon by the participants, a success story displaying the fruitful process between the mentor and the mentee will further be displayed on the StandICT.eu website, giving additional credit and visibility to the participants which accepted to take time in participating in this programme.