Applications Now Open: Join Creating Friendships for Peace (CFP)

Creating Friendships for Peace, Inc. (CFP) is a volunteer grassroots organization whose mission is to promote and strengthen friendships between teens from divided communities and extend those friendships to their families and friends. CFP believes that friendship creates the conditions for mutual respect and understanding—an essential ingredient for peace.

CFP’s model is intentionally personal. Friendships are developed through home stays with American families. Each host family welcomes two teens—one from each side of a conflict. The teen pair shares a room, spends time together day by day, and learns about each other’s perspectives. Through this experience, participants discover that meaningful friendships can form despite significant political and cultural differences.

CFP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the United States. Our volunteers were active in Northern Ireland from 1981 until 2007. We are currently active in Cyprus (since 2009) and Israel/Palestine (since 2018). In our efforts to maintain neutrality, we do not accept government funding and rely solely on gifts from individuals, charitable foundations, and businesses who wish to make a difference for peace in the world.

Creating Friendships for Peace believes in self-determination and peaceful conflict resolution for all cultures and nations. As one participant shared: “I know if everyone had a sister/brother/sibling on the other side that they felt close to as much as I did to my pair, we would all be so much closer to peace.” — Summer ’22 CFP Teen.

CFP offers three programs: two camps in Cyprus (one in Troodos and one in Kormakitis) and a month-long USA Residential experience, where teens stay with a host family and are paired with a teen from the other side of the conflict. Each program is designed to create safe, structured spaces for genuine dialogue, shared experiences, and long-lasting friendships.

CFP will give you an experience you cannot find anywhere else in the world. Participants develop stronger social skills, deepen their knowledge of Cyprus and its communities, build empathy, and gain practical conflict-resolution skills. Most importantly, CFP helps you see the Cyprus problem—and the people within it—through a more human, nuanced perspective.

Applications are now open and will close in one week. If you are considering applying, we strongly encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Opportunities are limited, and early applications help ensure full consideration.