The YUFE Sustainability Mentorship Program is Malaysia’s largest online sustainability mentorship. Now in its fourth cycle, it is funded by Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL). This program connects guidance-seeking Malaysian undergraduate and master’s students with experienced mentors dedicated to sustainability. It aims to guide and inspire young individuals, encouraging them to explore diverse career paths in sustainability, gain valuable insights, and make a positive impact on the environment. Through this initiative, we strive to empower the next generation of sustainability leaders and foster a community committed to environmental stewardship.

With the support of the YELL 2023 Seed Grant, Youths United for Earth will be able to:
1. Conduct an online mentorship program through FutureLab, enabling efficient tracking of mentorship hours and scheduling for both mentors and mentees.
2. Facilitate focus group discussions aimed at improving existing mentorship modules by gathering valuable feedback from previous mentors and mentees, allowing for continuous enhancement of the program.
3. Organize a closing session to celebrate the achievements of participants, and provide a platform for reflection and future planning.
4. Provide financial support for underprivileged mentees by allocating funds to help them purchase internet data, ensuring equal access to online resources and mentorship opportunities.
 

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 YUFE Sustainability Mentorship Programme 
To support this iteration of YUFE’s Mentorship prorgramme, YELL was glad to support the launch of YUFE’s Mentorship Portal. Designed to bring together mentors and young people passionate about sustainability and environmental conservation in Malaysia. With the goal of engaging youth in meaningful mentorship relationships, we’ve supported YUFE in making significant progress in building a platform where mentors and mentees can connect, learn, and grow together.


What is the Mentorship Portal?
The Mentorship Portal, created with FutureLab’s help, is the heart of YUFE’s mentorship program. It provides an organized and accessible space for mentors and mentees to schedule sessions, access educational materials, and track progress. Mentors can also give feedback after each session to help mentees improve. This structured approach ensures that both mentors and mentees stay engaged and make the most of the programme.

Since its official launch on June 15, 2024, the portal has registered 119 users (57 mentors and 71 mentees).

How YUFE Recruited Mentors and Mentees
Recruiting the right mentors and mentees is key to a successful programme. YUFE reached out to potential participants through LinkedIn, Instagram, and Instagram ads, making sure that recruitment materials were available in both English and Malay to reach a wider audience.

YUFE received 69 mentor applications and 134 mentee applications. To ensure a good match, and reviewed the mentor’s expertise in sustainability and mentee goals, using a structured approach. After careful consideration, YUFE recruited 57 mentors and 71 mentees, to ensure their compatibility to foster meaningful connections in the programme.


Gathering Feedback to Improve
YUFE and YELL believe in continuous improvement, which is why YUFE reached out to previous mentors and mentees for feedback. They hosted virtual consultations with a select group of past participants, including experts in conservation and sustainability, as well as undergraduate and master’s students. These sessions provided invaluable insights, helping to refine the program to better meet the needs of participants.
 

Refining Our Mentorship Modules
Based on valuable feedback, YUFE is enhancing its mentorship offerings to better support mentees’ journeys. What was once a single, comprehensive guidebook is now thoughtfully divided into focused, digestible modules.

The first module, Sustainability 101, launched in mid-June, providing essential insights into sustainable practices and principles. Meanwhile, the second module, Career Guidance, will be available on July 1st, delivering practical strategies and advice to help mentees navigate their professional paths with confidence.

These tailored modules are designed to empower mentees with both foundational knowledge and actionable guidance, fostering growth and success in their personal and professional endeavors.


Capacity-Building Workshops
Before the official mentorship sessions began, YUFE organized capacity-building workshops to help mentees and mentors understand their roles. These workshops covered topics like ethics, best practices, and how to foster effective mentorship relationships. 35 mentees and 27 mentors participated, ensuring they were well-prepared for their upcoming mentorship journeys.

Youths United for Earth (YUFE) envisions a community of environmentally-driven youths in pursuit of a just and liveable future.