"Fostering" typically refers to the act of nurturing and supporting the growth or development of something or someone. In the context of child welfare, fostering means providing temporary care for children who are unable to live with their biological families, often through a formal arrangement with child welfare services. Foster parents take in these children and provide them with a safe and supportive home while working towards either reunification with their biological families or finding a permanent adoptive home.
In a broader sense, fostering can also refer to encouraging the development of ideas, projects, or relationships. For example, one might foster innovation in a workplace or foster friendships in a community.