Our Story

In 1983, Nicaragua was in the midst of a brutal civil war between the US-funded Contra Forces and the Sandinista Revolutionary Government. The Jalapa Valley of Northern Nicaragua witnessed extreme violence and division during this conflict, creating a crippling economic legacy that would endure for years. In this context of social and political upheaval, citizens of Boulder, Colorado and Jalapa, Nicaragua united to form the Friendship City Projects (FCP), a grassroots funded non-profit organization, to promote solidarity, peace and healing. Thus, in 1983, Jalapa became Boulder’s very first Sister City. Through FCP, people of both cities have established a cultural exchange process to teach and learn from each other. Together we have created sustainable solutions to economic, environmental and health challenges in the Jalapa Valley.