At MasterPeace NL, creativity is not an extra. It is the starting point.

Across our projects in the Netherlands, we work with young people who are often overlooked or underestimated. Through photography, graffiti, art, music, and sports, we give them space to explore their talents, build confidence, and take action for others. What begins as creativity often becomes something deeper: a sense of belonging and belief.

Our approach is simple, and intentional.
Engage. Connect. Empower.

We engage young people through creative expression. Art allows them to speak without needing the right words. Confidence grows as they discover their strengths and develop leadership, curiosity, and a growth mindset.

We connect them with peers, communities, and policymakers, creating conversations around themes like freedom, identity, and wellbeing — not as abstract ideas, but as lived experiences.

We empower them to act. Young people present their ideas, create initiatives, and step into spaces where their voices are heard and taken seriously.

At MasterPeace NL, creativity is not an extra. It is the starting point.

Across our projects in the Netherlands, we work with young people who are often overlooked or underestimated. Through photography, graffiti, art, music, and sports, we give them space to explore their talents, build confidence, and take action for others. What begins as creativity often becomes something deeper: a sense of belonging and belief.

Our approach is simple, and intentional.
Engage. Connect. Empower.

We engage young people through creative expression. Art allows them to speak without needing the right words. Confidence grows as they discover their strengths and develop leadership, curiosity, and a growth mindset.

We connect them with peers, communities, and policymakers, creating conversations around themes like freedom, identity, and wellbeing — not as abstract ideas, but as lived experiences.

We empower them to act. Young people present their ideas, create initiatives, and step into spaces where their voices are heard and taken seriously.

At St. Bonifatius College, these three steps came together powerfully. A group of students who barely knew each other — many struggling with low self-esteem — created an exhibition of self-portraits. Each image told a story of identity, happiness, and their vision of a better world. What started as a creative exercise became visible confidence.

Another moment stays with us.

In The Hague, we worked with ISK students — newly arrived young people, some of them refugees — on a project about health. As part of the process, they connected with elderly residents from a local care home. In the final step, the students created something for them: portraits presented in handmade frames.

The room was quiet. Emotional. Human.

Young people carrying experiences of displacement met seniors with a lifetime of memories. Through creativity, they saw each other — not as labels or generations, but as people. For us as project managers, it was a reminder that connection can happen when space is created for it.

Our work in the Netherlands is local, but it is part of something bigger. Together with MasterPeace Global, we believe everyone has a talent — and that talent can contribute to a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable society. This is why we focus on young people with fewer opportunities. Not because they need fixing, but because the world needs their creativity.

Looking ahead, our ambition is clear: more projects led by young people, for young people. In close collaboration with youth workers, we want to design initiatives that respond to real needs and create real agency.

Because when a young person realizes “I matter, and I can contribute,”
change has already begun.

This is part of the MasterPeace Impact Series —
where we share the stories behind the impact, and why this work matters.

For two days in Utrecht at the end of the summer days, something rare happened.

At the Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht, 63 people from more than 30 organizations and over 20 countries gathered not to rush through agendas, but to think, listen, and reconnect. The occasion was PWR Up 2025, convened by MasterPeace—and its quiet ambition was simple: strengthen the people behind the work.

The structure was simple. One day for practice. One day for people.

On the first day, participants worked hands-on with tools they can immediately use: sustainability made practical through eco-labelling, social entrepreneurship as a path to resilience, learning design that actually leads to change, and honest conversations about ethical and inclusive AI. This wasn't a theory but it was capacity building shaped by real-world pressure.

On the International Day of Peace, participants shared messages in their own languages and walked together in a quiet procession. No branding. No speeches. Just a shared reminder of why this work exists.

Day two went deeper. Trust replaced hierarchy. Youth perspectives on climate anxiety met Doughnut Economics. Artivism opened conversations that policy language cannot. Fundraising was addressed plainly —  as a skill that can be learned, planned, and sustained.

The summit closed with something rare: networking without performance. Participants gathered around ideas they genuinely care about — youth inclusion, wellbeing, innovation, AI, storytelling — and small circles formed naturally. Several collaborations began there, without a single pitch deck.

PWR Up 2025 did not promise solutions to the world’s problems. It offered something quieter, and perhaps more necessary: a reminder that lasting change depends on people who are supported, connected, and allowed to be human.

This is the first story in the MasterPeace Impact Series. Each week, we’ll share another — showing how investing in people builds stronger organizations, smarter programs, and change that lasts.

MasterPeace is Hiring Senior Project Cordinator

Job Title: Senior Project Coordinator (3 days a week)

Location: Utrecht (Remote) 

Organisation: MasterPeace

About Us:

MasterPeace is a global, multi-award-winning grassroots network that brings together NGOs, social enterprises, partner organizations, active citizens, and artists to create local impact. Currently active in over 45 countries. Our mission is to connect, support, and amplify the work of civil society organizations (CSOs) to drive greater social impact and scale best practices for engaging, connecting, and empowering young people to use their talents for a peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable future. 

In the Netherlands we run the headquarters and we implement local and international projects for youth empowerment in the cities of Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam. The projects usually consist of a series of workshops around talent development, training on personal leadership in all of which we use the power of arts.

Job Purpose:

We are seeking an experienced and autonomous Senior Project Coordinator to lead the planning, execution, and strategic coordination of our key youth projects, with a primary and deep focus on the Dutch landscape. The ideal candidate possesses in-depth knowledge of the youth and non-profit sectors in the Netherlands, strong leadership skills, and a proven ability to manage complex projects from inception to evaluation. You will be instrumental in driving impact, building strategic partnerships for implementation, and ensuring project success is aligned with our long-term vision.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Leadership & Execution: Take full ownership and directly execute the project plan, managing the schedule, budget, and implementation of multiple youth mobilization projects focused on a sustainable future within the Netherlands.
• Local Partner Engagement: Maintain and develop  strategic, long-term collaboration with local implementation partners (e.g., educational institutions, artists, youth organizations) to ensure optimal resource mobilization and project reach.
• Operational Management: Develop and manage all project logistics, including booking venues, arranging necessary materials, and overseeing all day-to-day operational details.
• Content Development: Design, write, and adapt high-quality training and workshop materials specifically tailored to young people (aged 14-24) and the nuances of the local Dutch context.
• Mobilization & Outreach: Work shoulder-to-shoulder with local partners to implement youth mobilization efforts, actively participate in outreach to engage youngsters from diverse backgrounds.
• Reporting and Evaluation: Collect, analyze, and write up comprehensive project evaluation and financial reports, providing detailed updates and strategic recommendations to senior management.
• International Contribution: Act as the hands-on Dutch project lead within international teams, actively contributing local data, insights, and lessons learned to global program design.
• Communication & Visibility: Create and schedule content for our local social media channels and external communications, ensuring high visibility and consistent messaging, in close collaboration with the Communication Team.
• Workshop Delivery: Lead and personally facilitate high-impact workshops and events with youth and partners, demonstrating excellent group management and engagement skills.
• Team Management: Direct and support junior staff members, external collaborators and volunteers where appropriate.

Who You Are:

We are looking for a colleague with:

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Cultural/Arts Science, Project Management, or a related field.
• Experience & Autonomy: Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in project management/coordination, ideally leading significant projects within the non-profit or youth development sector. Experience leading international projects is a strong advantage.
• Essential Language & Local Knowledge:
  • Dutch, native speaker.
  • Fluent in English (written and spoken high level command).
  • Demonstrated, in-depth knowledge of the Dutch educational system, youth cultural landscape, and social/non-profit funding environment.
• Skills: Exceptional organizational, planning, and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex streams of work simultaneously.
• Proactive Networker: Proven ability to build and maintain professional relationships, with a demonstrable track record of successfully reaching out to and engaging senior stakeholders and local partners.
• Adaptability: Highly flexible, comfortable in a fast-paced, multicultural setting, and willing to travel frequently to project locations (The Hague, Utrecht, Rotterdam). Availability for evening and occasional weekend work is required.
• Target Group Expertise: Extensive, hands-on experience working directly with and facilitating workshops for young people aged 14 to 24 years.

What We Offer:

• Impactful Role: A leadership role with direct responsibility for high-impact international and local youth projects that shape a sustainable future.
• Environment: A highly collaborative, supportive, and international team environment with significant professional development and networking opportunities.
• Flexibility: Excellent flexibility with remote work options.
• Compensation: A competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with the seniority and local expertise required for this position.
• Contract: A flexible, part-time position requiring 3 days (24 hours) of work per week for an initial 12-month period, with a strong view to a long-term extension and/or increase in working hours.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit their CV and a motivation letter, both in English, to Lucija Popovska at Lucija@masterpeace.org by December 15, 2025.

Note: The post is open to people who already have the right to live and work in the Netherlands.

Join us in empowering youth and creating meaningful change across communities!

Creating. Peace. TOGETHER!

We are proud to announce the successful completion of the international youth project “Cool Leaders Academy 2025”, held from October 25 to November 2 in the picturesque town of Bakuriani, Georgia. Implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme, the project brought together passionate young leaders and youth workers from across Europe for a transformative learning experience.

A Mission to Empower Eco-Conscious Youth

The core aim of Cool Leaders Academy 2025 was to empower young leaders and youth workers in the fields of environmental education, eco-awareness, and digital responsibility. Participants representing Georgia, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Croatia, Poland, Germany, and Armenia united around one shared mission: to develop eco-conscious changemakers capable of initiating and promoting impactful environmental actions within their communities.

Key Objectives of the Project

The program was designed to:

• Engage youth in raising awareness about environmental and climate issues

• Develop “eco-trainers” who can multiply knowledge in their local contexts

• Strengthen cooperation between EU and Eastern Partnership countries around shared ecological goals

• Promote World Cleanup Day and Digital Cleanup Day initiatives

• Implement MasterPeace’s innovative educational model “Cool Leader”, which supports youth development through creative and interactive learning approaches

A Week of Learning, Leadership, and Collaboration

Throughout the week, participants took part in interactive trainings, hands-on workshops, and practical sessions, gaining both theoretical knowledge and real-life experience. They strengthened their leadership abilities, teamwork capacities, and communication skills through group tasks, debates, and collaborative presentations.

This dynamic environment fostered deeper understanding of environmental responsibility and international cooperation. Participants left the academy inspired and motivated to apply their new knowledge and drive positive environmental change in their home communities.

Aligned with Global Sustainability Goals

Cool Leaders Academy 2025 supports the principles of the EU Green Deal, the Paris Agreement, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — positioning the initiative as a meaningful contribution to the global movement for a greener, more sustainable future.

Collaboration Behind the Success

The project was made possible through the partnership between MasterPeace and Let’s Do It Georgia, with the support of the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all organizers, trainers, and participants for their commitment, energy, and collaboration throughout this inspiring journey.