Mentoring can improve access to knowledge, networks, and development opportunities for people who face additional social or professional barriers. This category includes programs focused on diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, including initiatives for migrants, refugees, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups.
Access Pathways Programme is a university or student mentoring initiative run by PwC Ireland + third-level Access Offices for Students participating in third-level Access programmes, with mentoring focused on access, inclusion and progression through education or work.
Who is it for? Students participating in third-level Access programmes
ADVANCE Mentoring Programme 2026/27 is a university or student mentoring initiative run by Arthur Cox for Students from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, with mentoring focused on access, inclusion and progression through education or work.
Who is it for? Students from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds
All-Ireland STEM Passport for Inclusion – Mentoring for Equality is a university or student mentoring initiative run by Maynooth University + Microsoft + Research Ireland / partners for Girls and female students from under-represented backgrounds, supported by industry mentors, with mentoring focused on career progression, confidence, networks and leadership.
Who is it for? Girls and female students from under-represented backgrounds, supported by industry mentors
Back for Business is a business and entrepreneurship mentoring programme run by Back for Business for Returning Irish emigrants who are starting or developing businesses in Ireland, with mentoring focused on business development and practical decision-making.
Who is it for? Returning Irish emigrants who are starting or developing businesses in Ireland
Black & Irish / NTA Film & TV Mentorship Programme 2026 is a creative-sector mentoring programme run by Black & Irish + National Talent Academy for Film & TV for Emerging filmmakers from under-represented backgrounds, with mentoring focused on creative practice, sector insight and professional development.
Who is it for? Emerging filmmakers from under-represented backgrounds
Bridging Generations – African Mentoring Programme is a university or student mentoring initiative run by University College Dublin (UCD) for Students of African heritage and alumni or professional mentors, with mentoring focused on career development, professional insight and knowledge-sharing.
Who is it for? Students of African heritage and alumni or professional mentors
College Mentoring Programme is a university or student mentoring initiative run by University of Galway & Foróige for Students in access pathways, with University of Galway staff participating as mentors, with mentoring focused on access, inclusion and progression through education or work.
Who is it for? Students in access pathways, with University of Galway staff participating as mentors
Community Mentoring Programme is a university or student mentoring initiative run by IADT / PATH 3 consortium for Learners from under-represented backgrounds, with students and graduates acting as mentors, with mentoring focused on access, inclusion and progression through education or work.
Who is it for? Learners from under-represented backgrounds, with students and graduates acting as mentors
Community-based mentoring that pairs participants with trained mentors for structured, individualised support to set goals, build confidence and explore education or employment options.
Who is it for? Community members seeking personal or career support
Volunteer mentors offer consistent one-to-one support to young people and parents connected with youth justice, probation and community services, focusing on listening, practical help, positive activities and goal-building.
Who is it for? Young people and parents connected to justice services
Legal Explorer Programme is a professional mentoring programme run by Addleshaw Goddard Ireland for Fifth Year students from social-mobility backgrounds within commuting distance of the Dublin office, with mentoring focused on access, inclusion and progression through education or work.
Who is it for? Fifth Year students from social-mobility backgrounds within commuting distance of the Dublin office
Local Government WAM Graduate Programme is a professional mentoring programme run by Local Government Management Agency + AHEAD WAM for Graduates with disabilities taking placements in local authorities, with mentoring focused on access, inclusion and progression through education or work.
Who is it for? Graduates with disabilities taking placements in local authorities
Mentoring Access Initiative for Women in SMEs is a business and entrepreneurship mentoring programme run by AIB + Irish Management Institute + 30% Club Ireland for Women leaders in Irish SMEs, particularly those from under-represented backgrounds, with mentoring focused on business development and practical decision-making.
Who is it for? Women leaders in Irish SMEs, particularly those from under-represented backgrounds
Open Doors Mentorship Programme is a community and social-impact mentoring initiative run by Open Doors Initiative for People facing barriers to employment, with mentoring focused on access, inclusion and progression through education or work.
Who is it for? People facing barriers to employment
PathFinderz is a university or student mentoring initiative run by Dell Technologies Ireland for Third-level students who use Disability Support Services at their college, with mentoring focused on access, inclusion and progression through education or work.
Who is it for? Third-level students who use Disability Support Services at their college
RiseUP StartUP Mentorship is a community and social-impact mentoring initiative run by Open Doors Initiative for Early-stage entrepreneurs from groups that face barriers to employment or enterprise, with mentoring focused on business development and practical decision-making.
Who is it for? Early-stage entrepreneurs from groups that face barriers to employment or enterprise
UCC Traveller Mentoring Programme is a university or student mentoring initiative run by University College Cork / PLUS Programme for Traveller students at secondary-school level, with mentoring focused on access, inclusion and progression through education or work.
Who is it for? Traveller students at secondary-school level
University of Sanctuary Academic Mentoring is a university or student mentoring initiative run by University of Galway for University of Sanctuary scholars and people with refugee or migrant backgrounds, with mentoring focused on access, inclusion and progression through education or work.
Who is it for? University of Sanctuary scholars and people with refugee or migrant backgrounds
Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) is a community and social-impact mentoring initiative run by AHEAD for Graduates with disabilities and participating employers, with mentoring focused on access, inclusion and progression through education or work.
Who is it for? Graduates with disabilities and participating employers
ATU-led access and widening-participation mentoring initiative partnering with schools and community organisations to support students' access, retention and success in higher education.
Who is it for? Prospective and entering students facing barriers