Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the mission of Mediators Beyond Borders?
   MBB brings together mediators and other allied professionals who volunteer worldwide to support local conflict resolution capacity-building efforts in underserved areas to make them more effective and sustainable.
2. Is Mediators Beyond Borders affiliated with any other Without Borders organization?
   MBB is not affiliated with Doctors Without Borders or any other without borders or sans frontiers organization. MBB welcomes all opportunities for collaboration.
3. Is Mediators Beyond Borders a first responder in crisis situations?
   No, Mediators Beyond Borders is not a first responder. MBB assists in pre-conflict (preventing) and post-accord (resolving and healing from conflict) situations to work with communities in building their conflict resolution capacity.
4. Can anyone join?
   Yes. Visit our Join Us section for more information.
5. How do I join?
   You can download a PDF application. Visit Join MBB for more details.
6. What financial contribution is required of Members?
   Visit our Join Us section for more information.
7. What do the contributions fund?
   Annual membership support is a primary source of critical, unrestricted funding. MBB members help to sustain the organization by funding the areas of greatest need which include general operations, administrative support to ongoing projects, capacity-building, and, at times, emergency funding for project participants or MBB members in the field.
8. What do I get for my member contribution?
   All MBB members receive MBB newsletters, project updates, reports and announcements. They have access to the Member Forum and can get involved in a project, professional chapters and committees. They are also eligible for a special rate for the Annual Congress. Please visit our Join Us section for individual member benefits.
9. How much funding on a project goes to MBB salaries or administrative overhead?
   Office and other expenses are principally fully funded by member dues and supporter donations. Individuals’ donations for a particular project fund travel and expenses for that project only, not general MBB overhead. Minimal percentages of funds raised at events (5%) or through grants (8-12%) fund the administration necessary to running the projects.
10. Was the MBB organization seed money or start-up funded by a government, foundation or corporate grant?
    No, MBB was funded solely by member dues and donations.
11. How does MBB select projects?
    All projects are reviewed and must be formally approved by the MBB Board of Directors. University. The Project Review Committee, and ultimately the Board, assess each proposal for consistency with MBB's Mission, Principles & Values, objectives, feasibility, safety, cultural sensitivity, sustainability and other criteria.
12. How are projects implemented?
    Volunteer project teams are assembled from MBB members based upon the experience and skills required for the project. In the early stages, members, often supported by University Chapters, research the local context and form relationships. Teams typically partner with international NGOs and local partners to seek funding and to design and implement the project, generally over the course of 3 or more years. Evaluation, and sharing learnings with the membership, is strongly encouraged.
13. Are members paid for their services?
    No, all work is pro bono. Mediators volunteer their time, but may be reimbursed for their own travel.
14. Who pays for travel expenses?
    Payment of travel expenses varies from project to project. Individual members may be requested to underwrite all or a portion of their own expenses.
15. How are members selected or assigned to a MBB project?
    Once the Board of Directors approves a project or other initiative, notice goes out to all MBB Members and Members may then apply. MBB evaluates the applications matching qualifications and interests with the needs of the project. Teams are assembled on a per project basis.
16. What is the typical time a member works on a specific project?
    Members commit to the life of the project and are expected to spend 1 to 2 weeks each year on site. Project committment also means planning, training and coordinating time from home.
17. How are projects submitted for consideration?
    All proposals must be submitted online via the Propose a Project form. You can attach up to 3 files to the form.