About Mentor

We inspire young people and our partners to see the future with more optimism.

Mentor International is an international non-profit development organization working to help young people find a path towards a promising future. Using evidence-informed mentoring programs, we provide young people with strong role models, encourage them to stay in school, and help them avoid drugs and alcohol. We also introduce them to different occupational possibilities through our partners and supporters.

In our world, every young person has a caring adult in their life – a touchstone to help them reach their full potential and look to the future with hope. Our programs are aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, 8 and 10.

Mentor International was founded in 1994 by HM Queen Silvia of Sweden in collaboration with members of the World Health Organization, originally working in the field of drug use and substance abuse prevention.

Our work has been recognized by the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime, the Organization of American States and the Council of Europe. Mentor is represented in countries across three continents. Collectively, Mentor has implemented projects in over 80 countries, impacting millions of youth.