Footbal 4 Peace

More about Footbal 4 Peace

Sports coaches, community leaders and volunteers, work alongside each other bringing differing communities together through football and aspects of outdoor education. The project began in 2001 bringing together children and adults from differing communities in Israel. Today it has grown from a small one - off project in the Galilee region in northern israel to a year long initiative across the whole country including a cross border initioave with Jordan. F4P also operates in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, facilitating a cross border project.

Run by local teachers and coaches trained in the F4P methodology, this project uses football to bring together children from both sides of the border regardless of background and religion. In all projects, young people enjoy learning and playing football together in non-threatening settings. The activities and coaching methodology devised by the initiative promotes intimate interaction, allowing longer-term relationships and cross-community understanding to flourish. Its aims are fourfold: 1. Provide opportunities for social contact across community boundaries; 2. Promote mutual understanding; 3. Engender in participants a desire for and commitment to peaceful coexistence; 4. Enhance soccer skills and technical knowledge