MasterPeace is a partner in the “Metaverse Learning Hub” (MLH) project

MasterPeace is a partner in the "Metaverse Learning Hub" (MLH) project (https://www.metaverselearninghub.eu), which is dedicated to empowering youth workers to enhance digital and human skills among disadvantaged youth, including young refugees from Ukraine. We believe this adds great value to the 60 licensed NGOs in 40+ countries that are members of the MasterPeace global network.

This project (co funded by the EU) addresses the critical need for developing competencies that can thrive in digital environments, fostering social inclusion and resilience in a rapidly changing world.

MLH provides an array of tools and educational resources, including immersive virtual experiences and hands-on instructions of how to integrate evidence-based resources and good practices in their interventions with youth. Central to these resources and good practices is the aim of building digital literacy and interpersonal skills, essential for navigating both the metaverse and real-life challenges (card game), which will be developed in the context of the MLH project.

Offering an engaging virtual environment for skill development and interactive simulations, a physical card game, and suggestions of how evidence-based resources can enhance youth interventions.

MLH seeks to equip youth workers with the capabilities needed to effectively support young individuals in building meaningful skills for their development. The project will extend its impact beyond direct educational tools and materials by offering policy recommendations.

Specifically, after >>

1. conducting a thorough literature review on the topic;
2. A needs analysis with youth workers
3. By testing both the immersive learning experience and the accompanying card game, MLH will gather insights to enhance existing policy frameworks at the national and EU levels.
4. Our recommendations will aim to refine and strengthen approaches to digital and human skills development, ensuring that policies are well-aligned with the evolving needs of disadvantaged youth and effectively support the integration of innovative educational practices.

Our Youth workers have access to evidence-based materials and proven practices tailored to the unique needs of disadvantaged youth. Our approach emphasizes practical outcomes and tangible benefits, focusing on community changes and how these tools, methodologies, and resources can facilitate impactful interventions and positive changes within communities.

Finally, MLH includes comprehensive guides for implementing specific interventions based on the insights gained from previous similar experiences. These plans are designed to be straightforward, empowering youth workers to execute effective programs and activities that seamlessly integrate theoretical knowledge with practical applications, ultimately bridging the gap between learning and doing in their work with youth.

We are proud to share these insights and build the capacity of our global and regional networks.

Muurschildering St. Bonifatius College - Boni en de wereld

Het St. Bonifatius College bestond in het schooljaar 2022-2023 100 jaar. Een prachtige gelegenheid om de school te eren met een MasterPeace “Wall of Connection”.

Tijdens dat schooljaar hebben MasterPeace en Munir de Vries de handen ineen geslagen om een serie aan lessen te verzorgen waarbij 20 leerlingen werden meegenomen in het proces, van ontwerpen tot uitvoeringsfase, van het maken van een muurschildering. Ook hebben de leerlingen nagedacht over wat zij belangrijk vinden in de wereld en zijn ze op zoek gegaan naar  verhalen van wijkgenoten, schoolgenoten, docenten en/of de geschiedenis van de school en de buurt. Ze hebben geleerd hoe ze deze verhalen kunnen omzetten in visualisaties en/of een kunstwerk, en hebben zo input gegeven voor deze “Wall of Connection”.

Met de input van de leerlingen heeft kunstenaar Munir de Vries een ontwerp gemaakt. De leerlingen hebben hem geholpen met het aanbrengen van de muurschildering om zo eigenaarschap en zelfvertrouwen te creëren voor de leerlingen

“Ik vond het heel leuk om te helpen met spuiten en het is leuk om je eigen werk terug te kunnen zien”, aldus één van de leerlingen.

De muurschildering staat voor groei. Het St. Bonifatius College vormt de basis voor leerlingen, waarna zij de wijde wereld in gaan. “Het hoofd is een zaadje, dat staat voor het zien van de groeipotentie in mensen”, aldus kunstenaar Munir de Vries.

De leerlingen vinden het ontwerp goed bij de school en hun ontwikkeling passen; “Ik vind het ontwerp echt een goed en mooi idee, want het is een zaadje dat groeit, en dat laat zien hoe wij uiteindelijk ook vanuit de middelbare school groeien”. 

Daarnaast toont de muurschildering de verbinding van de school met de wijk en de wereld. De muur is voor een groot deel baksteen en in het kleurenpalet is gebruik gemaakt van groen, dat aansluit op de bomen en omgeving, en paars en bruin/oranje dat aansluit bij de kleuren van de school. De vensters in de muur sluiten aan op de verdiepingen waardoor de koppeling met de binnenkant van de school wordt gemaakt.

“Wij als Boni, en ik als kunstdocente, zijn blij en trots dat er meer kunst is en dat deze muurschildering daar aan bijdraagt. De muurschildering verbeeldt de leerlingen, de identiteit van Boni en staat in verbinding met de buurt en met alle medewerkers en leerlingen van de school.” Aldus kunstdocente Gabrielle Meijer

Op dinsdag 3 september werd de muurschildering, in het bijzijn van leerlingen, docenten en wijkgenoten, officieel geopend.

We kijken terug op een hele fijne en leuke samenwerking met het St. Bonifatius College en Munir de Vries. Er zijn ook alweer plannen gemaakt voor vervolg samenwerking voor de invulling van de Boni+ uren voor het schooljaar 2024-2025.

MasterPeace Walls of Connection

Waar muren er vaak voor zorgen dat mensen letterlijk en figuurlijk van elkaar gescheiden worden, ziet MasterPeace een kans om mensen juist met elkaar te verbinden. Door deze ‘Walls of Seperation’ samen om te toveren tot ‘ Walls of Connection’ willen we mensen met verschillende achtergronden en culturen samenbrengen om hun verhalen te vertellen in beelden.

In het kader van Utrecht 900 jaar ontwikkelde MasterPeace in 2022 samen met kunstenaars Munir de Vries en de Verfdokter een serie muurschilderingen. Geïnspireerd op de visie van jongeren op hun ‘stad zonder muren’, het thema van de viering van 900 jaar stadsrechten. De kunstwerken laten een duurzame herinnering achter aan de viering. Het creëren van een Wall of Connection op het St. Bonifatius College is een mooie toevoeging aan deze serie.

Een project van:

Dit project is mede mogelijk gemaakt door:

FINANCIAL LEAD MASTERPEACE 

MasterPeace is a global, multi-award-winning, positive grassroots network of NGOs, social enterprises, partner organizations, active citizens and artists that make a difference locally; at school, in the streets and in the communities. From Kathmandu, Nairobi and Utrecht to Medellin. MasterPeace is active in more than 45 countries. Through a social franchise model we license local organizations as MasterPeace clubs.

The FInancial Lead of MasterPeace is responsible for leading the financial management of the organization.

The financial management includes planning, organization, control and monitoring of the financial resources of the organization to achieve its goals.

Location: Bulgaria

The financial management at MasterPeace achieves the following:

• Maximizes the efficient and effective use of the organization's resources.

• Enhances MasterPeace’s reporting to fiscal authorities and donors.

• Builds respect and trust among partners and beneficiaries.

• Strengthens MasterPeace’s competitiveness in securing increasingly scarce resources.

• Ensures long-term financial sustainability for the organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Financial Management

• Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement financial policies and procedures aligned with strategic objectives.

  • Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes across the organization and projects.

  • Raise and manage resources efficiently to support key activities.

  • Collaborate with leadership to ensure long-term financial viability, including planning to cover current and future expenditures, as well as incidental costs.

  • Provide strategic financial guidance to secure the organization's financial sustainability.

2. Financial Compliance and Reporting

• Responsibilities:

  • Ensure compliance with financial regulations, donor requirements, and legal obligations regarding revenue and expenditure management.

  • Prepare accurate financial statements and reports for both fiscal authorities and donors, improving transparency.

  • Coordinate audits, manage relationships with auditors, and strengthen internal control systems.

  • Update liquidity forecasts and monitor cash flow to maintain financial health.

  • Maintain up-to-date records to ensure reliable reporting and strengthen trust with partners and beneficiaries.

3. Operational Financial Management

• Responsibilities:

  • Oversee accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and benefits administration, ensuring legal compliance in financial transactions.

  • Manage financial details of contracts and agreements with co-applicants and third-party partners.

  • Provide financial analysis to support resource planning and decision-making at the project level.

  • Monitor and update liquidity schemes, ensuring that payments to suppliers and co-applicants are timely and accurately executed.

  • Regularly review and analyze the financial pipeline, updating the MP dashboard accordingly.

4. Project and Budget Management

• Responsibilities:

  • Oversee the creation, implementation, and monitoring of budgets at both the organizational and project levels.

  • Manage donor funds and ensure adherence to grant requirements, ensuring that funds are used effectively for their intended purposes.

  • Support project managers by providing financial data and analyses to improve budget and expenditure management.

  • Update financial forecasts based on project progress, including HR and Out-of-Pocket expenses, and coordinate payments.

  • Ensure revenue/expenditure management is efficient, optimizing the economic impact for the organization.

5. Risk Management and Financial Viability

• Responsibilities:

  • Identify, assess, and minimize financial risks to ensure the organization’s financial stability.

  • Regularly analyze revenue and expenditure forecasts, ensuring that the organization can cover both current and future expenditures.

  • Create cost-cutting strategies if liquidity forecasts fall below acceptable thresholds.

  • Ensure financial sustainability by securing adequate future revenues and reserves for incidental costs.

6. Stakeholder and External Partner Management

• Responsibilities:

  • Manage relationships with external partners (e.g., auditors, payroll service providers, tax authorities) to ensure compliance and accurate reporting.

  • Support fundraising and income generation efforts by providing necessary financial data and analysis.

  • Manage financial aspects of contracts, co-applicant agreements, and grant agreements, ensuring all obligations are met.

  • Engage with third-party partners to ensure that financial audits and external reporting requirements are completed efficiently.

7. Leadership and Team Management

• Responsibilities:

  • Lead, supervise, and mentor finance staff to ensure efficient financial operations.

  • Provide training and financial guidance to program and project managers to enhance their understanding of financial management.

  • Facilitate collaboration within the finance team to ensure smooth execution of financial responsibilities.

  • Lead discussions on monthly financial bookings, ensuring all teams are aligned on financial forecasts and liquidity.

8. Control and Audit

• Responsibilities:

  • Coordinate and support audits, ensuring all legal, donor, and internal requirements are met.

  • Maintain strong internal controls to safeguard organizational assets.

  • Prepare for regular board meetings, presenting liquidity and dashboard overviews.

  • Facilitate the creation of financial year reports, signed by board members and co-leaders, ensuring compliance with legal and audit requirements.

Requirements

•  Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.

•  Professional certification (e.g., CPA, CMA) preferred.

•  Minimum of 5 years of experience in financial management, preferably in the non-profit sector.

•  Strong knowledge of non-profit accounting principles and practices.

•  Experience with grant management and donor reporting.

•  Proficiency in financial software and Microsoft Office Suite.

•  Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

•  Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

•  Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly.

•  Experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.

•  Knowledge of financial regulations and compliance requirements.

•  Strong organizational and time management skills.

•  Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

•  Experience in managing audits and working with external auditors.

•  Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

•  Commitment to the mission and values of the organization.

•  Ability to handle confidential information with integrity.

•  Experience in developing and implementing financial policies.

•  Proven track record of managing financial risks.

•  Ability to mentor and develop finance staff.

Please Submit your CV and cover letter to info@masterpeace.org 

MasterPeace in a Cross-cultural World

As MasterPeace we are active in 40+ countries on 4 continents. Learning by doing and with tons of “gut feeling” we support the ambitions of changemakers cross cultures.

In our EU project SGA 2024 (co-funded by the European Commission), we discussed how we grow from “gut feeling” towards a way in which “the other” better understands our intention. It is our experience that working together and communicating effectively together with people from different cultures, with different backgrounds, different upbringings, and education, different habit patterns, customs, and rituals require extra attention. Especially in Operations where details matter, and where communication is an important part of the job. How we communicate is largely culturally determined by how we grew up, were brought up and educated in our early years. This is how we developed our personal communication preferences.

'Look at me when I speak to you,' my school teacher and mother told me. Punam from Nepal and Nikki from Japan, have never heard me say that. On the contrary. They are expected to lower their eyes down, when an adult speaks to them.

All these different cultural and habitual patterns in communicating, often produce a Babylonian confusion of speech. Even when you have agreed to have everyone speak the same language.

How fun and valuable it is then to discover together, where we differ, and how we can difference.

The Lewis Model and Culture Active are a wonderful and practical tool for this, which we would like to introduce you to. You can use it to discover your own personal communication preferences, and make a comparison with more than 100 profiles of countries worldwide. Take a look at the website https://secu

This is one of the helpful overviews.

 For more information, have a look at https://masterpeace.org/publications/ under the tab FILES.