Due to the lack of specific training and / or availability, for professionals, some families do not receive the necessary and timely assistance. The biggest impact of projects innovative tools goes to NGOs, as services to families are mainly provided by them. There was a need to improve FM training by strengthening the competences of professionals working with families looking for ways to increase the availability and accessibility of services. Most family support professionals work in the non-governmental sector, therefore, the capacity and the impact of the non-governmental sector family mentoring process necessary to expand. The activities of specialists applying preventive measures and methods are not structured, their level of preparation and competences are not assessed. It is necessary to assess and recognize the specific competences of Family Mentor and to develop methods that motivate the improvement of competences. Purpose of FM MENTORING project was to create upskilling mentoring for Family Mentors, improving and certifying competences by using innovative technologies. To this purpose the FM MENTORING project linked together four partners from Lithuania, Spain, Estonia and Poland, experts in adult education.
Rapid changes in the world present increasing challenges for families to adapt and find fast solutions. Improvement of economic well-being affects all families unequally, often increasing the gap between urban and rural populations, migrants and the local population, families with different physical and mental health and different level of education. Families need special attention in addressing the problems and challenges they face and in finding the most appropriate solutions to improve their family’s physical, social, and emotional well-being. An educated and trained specialist – Family Mentor enables family to find internal resources, focusing on such areas: information, prevention, navigation, sustainability of family wellbeing, employment, education and social policy. Family Mentor can be a social worker, social educator, educator, adult educator, or other professional who can be a trustee and facilitator for each family, advising on day-to-day concerns and challenges.