Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland Programmes

Program Details

Friends Forever Europe is proud to host international leadership programs in Annalong and across Northern Ireland. This region, shaped by a history of conflict and reconciliation, provides a unique and powerful setting for young leaders from around the world to explore empathy, resilience, and community building.

Since opening our Annalong Campus, we have welcomed participants from dozens of nations, creating a truly international exchange of culture and ideas. By 2030, our goal is to have 100 nations represented in these programs, making Annalong a hub for global connection and learning.

 

All Global Programs are delivered in English and focus on equipping participants with the skills to bridge divides, build trust, and create lasting impact in their own communities. Through a mix of virtual preparation, immersive residential learning in Northern Ireland, and real-world projects at home, participants gain both local insight and global perspective.

 

Hosting international participants also brings unique value to Annalong and Northern Ireland. Local residents have the opportunity to share their history, culture, and hospitality with visitors from across the globe, while gaining new perspectives in return. The exchange enriches both sides — helping participants see their own communities in new ways and strengthening Annalong as a place of welcome, learning, and connection.

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Program Phases

​​Every Friends Forever Europe program follows a three-phase journey designed to build confidence, strengthen communities, and create lasting impact. These phases ensure that participants not only learn new skills but also put them into action and see real results in their own lives and communities. The program will be around five months in length and will be split into three phases:

 

Team-Building Phase (approximately 8-10 days):

The journey begins online, where international participants meet their team through guided Zoom sessions. These sessions allow the group to begin building trust, set collective goals, and share expectations. They also provide FFE staff with input to tailor the program to the needs and cultural perspectives of each cohort, ensuring that the experience feels relevant and inclusive before participants arrive in Northern Ireland. Participants will also begin working on their Community Action Projects.

 

Skill Building Phase (approximately 12-14 days):

Teams then travel to our Annalong Campus and sites across Northern Ireland for the residential phase of the program. Here, participants immerse themselves in leadership development, outdoor challenges, cultural exchanges, and reflective practices. The context of Northern Ireland — with its history of division and ongoing journey toward reconciliation — provides a powerful backdrop for exploring leadership, resilience, and cross-community understanding. Here, they will practice their developed leadership skills and immerse themselves in a new community. They will learn firsthand from community resources and professionals making an impact and develop further skills to apply in their home communities. 

 

Community Building Phase (approximately 5 weeks):

After returning home, participants design and deliver a Community Action Project (CAP) that addresses a real need in their own community. These projects allow international participants to apply what they learned in Northern Ireland and create meaningful impact where they live. Each CAP is supported by ongoing virtual check-ins with FFE staff, ensuring participants receive guidance as they turn their vision into reality.

 

Alumni Movement Phase (as long as you want to be involved!):

FF alumni are the heart of our ongoing work. After completing their program, alumni remain connected through events, volunteer opportunities, and leadership roles. Many return to Annalong to mentor new groups or collaborate on international exchanges. Our alumni network continues to grow across Ireland and Northern Ireland, linking with peers from around the world to share ideas, support one another, and take on new challenges.

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Ongoing Virtual Sessions:

Participants are expected to engage in virtual workshops and progress meetings scheduled by FFI throughout each program phase. ​
 

There are a variety of qualities we are looking for in applicants, and we encourage all to apply.

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Note on Healthy Living

At the core of every program with Friends Forever is a focus on healthy living. Participants step away from distractions, learn to balance physical activity with reflection, and discover the value of teamwork through outdoor challenges, shared meals, and mindfulness practices. Whether it’s a coastal hike, a gardening project, or preparing meals together, healthy living helps strengthen both body and mind.

 

1. Technology-Free:

All of our programs are entirely technology-free. Participants do not have access to devices that connect to the internet for the entirety of their program. This is so participants can be present each day and disconnect from any other distractions we may have.

2. Mindfulness & Reflection:

Each day, our participants engage in mindfulness, which helps them practice presence and stress reduction. We tailor this to match the day and what it requires. In
addition, we reflect on each day both individually in memory books and collectively through a nightly debrief.

3. Plant-Based Eating:

All of the meals we eat during the program are entirely plant-based and healthy. This is done primarily for the promotion of cultural inclusivity and allowing all people of diverse backgrounds and cultures to know they have a welcome seat at our dinner table. In addition, we do this for personal health, planetary health, and the understanding that we can overcome challenges. See more at: www.ff.international/plant-based

 4. Movement & Physical Activities:

We engage participants in daily movement and physical activities specifically chosen to challenge the group, provide new experiences, and give the greatest potential for individual development.

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