Join our mentorship program
Are you a professional looking to make a difference by supporting and mentoring young environmental change makers?
In 2024, we will launch our Cohort 2 Fellowship, which will provide training, resources, and expert support to 500 young people from around the world to implement their projects on environmental sustainability.
Their fellowship starts with a 12-month intensive from June 2024 – May 2025. beVisioneers offers fellows a structured hybrid learning and community program, access to project grants, masterclasses, and project coaching, as well as input from top experts in relevant fields.
During that first year, each Fellow is also supported by an individual mentor along their journey, from developing their idea to launching a project. In order to provide our talented fellows with the best support, we are looking for volunteer mentors.
If you have any questions feel free to contact our Mentorship Manager.
What is beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship?
Designed and implemented by The DO School Fellowships and funded by Mercedes-Benz, the beVisioneers fellowship aims to make a positive and lasting impact on the environment by identifying promising young innovators from around the world, irrespective of background, and providing them with the training, mentoring, expert support and funding to realize their local projects for sustainable action. Read more about beVisioneers here.
Who are the fellows?
beVisioneers fellows are young innovators, aged 16 to 28, with promising ideas for sustainability projects. They come from diverse backgrounds and are selected without regard to socioeconomic standing. In the first year of the program, all fellows will come from any of the EU countries, India, Kenya, Mexico, Uganda, USA, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland or United Kingdom.
To help fellows realize their project ideas, the beVisioneers program offers them an intensive one-year hybrid-learning phase that culminates in their project’s launch. As part of the intensive program, fellows receive weekly online training in entrepreneurial, leadership and sustainability skills as well as one-to-one mentoring, access to experts in relevant fields, access to project funding, and needs-based access to a financial stipend.
How can I engage with beVisioneers?
Mentors are here to provide 1:1 guidance, advice, feedback and support to fellows over the course of the 12-month intensive, depending on the specific goals and objectives decided together. Mentors will be matched through an algorithm with one fellow that they will support over the course of 12 months with a focus on helping fellows to develop and launch their environmental project. Please note that if you are selected to be a Mentor, you will need to commit circa 15-20 hours over the 12 months
Who can I contact for further questions?
You can address your questions to our Mentorship manager here.
What are the qualifications requirements?
Overall requirements:
- Speak fluent English
- Be willing to share your personal experiences and business expertise
For mentors:
- Have experience and/or skills in impact mentoring or coaching. Certification, previous mentoring of young people and basic sustainability knowledge and interest in sustainability development is a plus
- Live and/or work in one of the Cohort 2 countries – any of the EU countries, India, Kenya, Mexico, Uganda, USA, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland and United Kingdom
- Be willing to dedicate circa 15-20 hours over the course of 12 months
- (Optional) Have some previous experience, knowledge or interest in sustainable development
What is the deadline?
Information to follow.
How many will be selected?
For our 2024-2025 cohort we will match 500 mentors.
Will I receive compensation or reimbursement?
No, this is a voluntary opportunity.
Mentors
Why become a mentor?
- Become part of an exciting community of professionals working jointly towards positive environmental impact.
- Give back by accelerating the professional and personal development of global, motivated young environmental entrepreneurs.
- Learn to clearly communicate and gain new perspectives.
- Train your leadership skills through teaching, motivating and offering honest feedback.
- Meet and exchange with global experts.
What will be my task as a mentor?
Mentors provide guidance, advice, feedback, and support to their matched beVisioneers fellow via monthly calls, depending on the specific goals and objectives negotiated with the fellow. Mentors will receive a sample outline for the monthly calls as a guideline for how best to support your fellow. Mentors will help the fellow grow as a leader and in developing their environmental project.
What if I currently reside in a country outside of beVisioneers activities?
For the first year, only mentors in the Cohort 2 countries (any of the EU countries, India, Kenya, Mexico, Uganda, USA, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland and United Kingdom) will be matched. However you can still apply and be considered for later years as the program expands. You have until June 12, 2024 to apply to become a mentor! Apply here.
How will I be matched with a fellow?
Mentor-mentees matches are determined by an algorithm following a combination of criteria including location, sector of interests and skills.
Will I be matched with a fellow that speaks the same language and lives in the same time zone as myself?
In most cases yes, there will be some exceptions if a fellow does not have a good match in the same region.
Can I choose who I am matched with?
No, the matches are chosen by the fellowship team.
Will I get training?
Mentors will not get training from beVisioneers. Instead they will get an initial onboarding including a technical onboarding to the platform used to communicate with the fellows. This will also be an opportunity to network with other mentors and get a deeper understanding of beVisioneers.
What does mentoring look like?
Mentoring will happen online through the dedicated beVisioneers platform. Mentors will have access to a series of optional tools (feedback tools, case studies, career development conversations, etc) for your work with the fellow. You will also have quarterly check-ins with the beVisioneers team as well as networking and exchanging opportunities with the other mentors.
How long is the program in total and what if I do not want to continue, for any reason?
The mentorship aspect of the fellowship is 12 months from June until May. As you sign the Mentor code of conduct, you commit to the 12 months but if you have a valid reason to stop, you can reach out and we will find a replacement for you.
What if there is a problem with my fellow?
You will have regular touchpoints and check-ins both with the beVisioneers team and your fellow. You will be informed about dedicated contact points in the unlikely case of an issue to help resolve it.