Who can apply?
2025 APPLICATIONS OPEN MAY 1
Peacebuilding and conflict prevention are not challenges confined to distant lands; the United States, grappling with increasing polarization and social divisions, is certainly not immune. To navigate these complex landscapes, it is crucial that all youth feel empowered to learn skills that enable them to understand diverse narratives and cultivate critical listening abilities, fostering empathy and bridging divides within your own communities. Our goal is to provide these essential learning opportunities to equip the next generation with the tools for constructive dialogue and peaceful coexistence. Building friendships and trust are key ingredients to fostering a peaceful society.
For this reason we are inviting youth ages 15-18 from the United States to apply to our program. You will not be hosted by an American Family but you will participate alongside our teens from Cyprus where you will join in the peacebuilding journey. You will attend the required workshops which include a welcome celebration, team building/ropes course, public speaking, conflict prevention/resolution, environmental and community service activities and a farewell party. You will be encouraged to participate in optional activities as well. Activities will vary slightly from region to region.
The program will run from July 1 to July 21 with the activities held primarily Monday through Friday. The local area coordinator will provide you a detailed schedule of what the activity is and where you will need to be. Our goal is equip the next generation with the tools for constructive dialogue and peaceful coexistence. Building friendships and trust are key ingredients to fostering a peaceful society.
Applying is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Step 1 – Apply Online
The online application is separated into four parts. Before beginning the application, the teen and their parents should download and/or print and read the TEEN FAMILY HANDBOOK to learn about the Creating Friendships for Peace Program in more detail.
PART 1 – TO BE COMPLETED BY THE TEEN
THIS APPLICATION CANNOT BE COMPLETED ON A MOBILE PHONE. In order to keep your time online to a minimum, you should have the following information available before completing this application:
A photo file of your face to upload (max. file size = 500KB)
Thoughtful answers to the following essay questions saved in a word-processing program so you can copy and paste into the application:
a. What do you hope to gain from participating in this program?
b. What does peace building mean to you personally?
c. How comfortable are you sharing your own ideas and perspectives in a group setting?
d. Can you share a time when you witnessed or experienced conflict? How did you respond to the situation and how did it impact you?
PART 2 – TO BE COMPLETED BY A TEEN’S PARENT
This part requires payment of the application fee of $20 with a credit card.
PART 3 – TEACHER REFERENCE
This part is to be completed in by a teacher who knows the teen well. The teen should ask the teacher to make a recommendation and give the teacher the link to PART 3. The teacher’s recommendation will be submitted directly to the Coordinators, so the teen must follow up with the teacher to be sure PART 3 has been completed.
PART 4 – CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
This part asks the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the teens to sign their agreement to all the rules/conditions of participation of the program. Parent or Parents/Guardian(s) are to deliver signed copies of this document to any of the two CFP Coordinators by the application deadline.
Step 2 – Compile Additional Information
Application Parts 1, 2 and 3 have already been emailed to the USA Coordinator team. Some applicants may wish to submit additional information on their activities and honors, which they can bring with them on Interviews Day.
Step 3 – Attend Interviews Day
Detailed information on time and place of Interviews Day, as well as other CFP dates are included on the Program Schedule.