Sociological analysis of intergenerational mentorship as a factor in the development of integration initiatives within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union

   The relevance of the study is determined by the growing role of human capital and social ties in the development of integration processes in the Eurasian space. In the context where the institutional mechanisms of the Eurasian Economic Union require meaningful practices, intergenerational mentoring is regarded as an important resource for transmitting professional knowledge, cultural values, and norms of interaction, capable of strengthening interstate relations and ensuring the sustainability of joint projects.

   The purpose of the study is to conduct a sociological analysis of intergenerational mentoring as a factor in shaping and developing integration initiatives within the Eurasian Economic Union.

   The objectives are to identify the features of organizational forms of mentoring in different Eurasian Economic Union member states, to determine the motivational foundations of senior-generation mentors’ activities, to establish the relationship between the content of mentoring practices and the priority areas of integration cooperation, and to identify barriers and resources for intergenerational exchange.

   Methodology. The methodological framework of the study is based on a qualitative approach. The empirical basis consists of in-depth interviews with experts among the heads of scientific, educational, cultural, service, industrial, and agricultural organizations from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The data analysis was carried out using thematic coding, which made it possible to identify key semantic categories and interpret them within the frameworks of the concepts of social capital, intergenerational transmission of knowledge, and integration interaction.

   The results show that mentoring is implemented in institutionalized, network-based, and informal forms, in all cases contributing to strengthening trust, improving qualifications, and developing transnational professional communities.

   Conclusions. Intergenerational mentoring acts as a strategic resource for the integration development of the Eurasian Economic Union, requiring targeted institutional support and inclusion in long-term socio-economic planning programs.

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