The AMF mentorship program connects early-career Arctic and European youth aged 18-35 with mentors across Arctic communities in the fields of Arctic policy development, advocacy, and communications. The aim is to provide youth with the experiences and tools they need to effectively advocate for policy changes on issues important to the livelihoods of youth in the Arctic and in Europe.
The mentorship program is part of the 2024-2027 EU funded project Youth Together for Arctic Futures. So far, the mentorship program has had two cohorts , running for 18 months each.
During the program participants will join both in-person and digital networking events. Each mentor/mentee pair also produced a deliverable, which boosts mentor/mentee portfolios, and can lead to further networking opportunities.
The mentorship program has also received additional support through GALI funding.
First cohort
The first cohort of 5 pairs ran from October 2024 through March 2026. The in-person kick-off event was held in Akureyri, Iceland 13-14 October, 2024.
Deliverables
View all the final program deliverables and read more about their journey produced by the mentees of cohort 1 – or click on a specific deliverable below.
Inés’ opinion piece
Johanna’s policy brief
Nels’ story map
Second cohort
The second cohort of 7 pairs is running from September 2025 through February 2027. The in-person kick-off event was held in Yellowknife, NWT, Canada 9-10 September, 2025.
Kick-off and Sunset Events
Each cohort had an in-person kick-off event in an Arctic or European town/city. The events were 1.5-2 days long including social/cultural events. The events featured icebreakers between mentor/mentee pairs, group networking, and initial goal-setting.
The sunset event will be a joint in-person event in 2027 for both cohorts. Travel funding will be provided for mentees and mentors to attend the sunset event.
There may be opportunities to attend other events in addition if funding allows.
Program content in brief
Mentors will act as advisors and guides to mentees within their fields of expertise and guide mentees in developing their program deliverable. This deliverable could include a conference session, academic paper, video, storymap, or a series of social media posts or blog posts.
Mentees will observe the work of their mentors and complete tasks assigned to them, as well as give direct input to their mentors on issues which are important to Arctic and European youth.
Mentors and mentees will participate in knowledge sharing and networking with other mentor/mentees in the cohort and report on the program to AMF.
Read more in detail about program objectives, expectations, benefits, and Code of Conduct in the program Terms of Reference document [updated May 2025].
Application process
Mentors in both cohorts were selected by the AMF Secretariat.
Mentees for the first two cohorts were selected in an open call process. The application was an online form where a short motivational letter or audio recording was required, as well as a reference letter. The Terms of reference and Code of conduct document was required reading prior to applying.
Apply for a future cohort
Currently applications are closed. Please watch the AMF website and social media for possible future open calls.
AMF Project Coordinator
For any questions about the program please contact:
Julia Morales-Aguirre
julia@arcticmayors.com