The "Stelios Bi-Communal Awards for Business Co-operation 2024" has recognized twenty entrepreneurs, comprising ten bi-communal teams, each receiving a share of a €200,000 prize fund. Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the founder of the easy family of brands and president of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, presented the awards. Remarkably, half of the winning teams were first-time recipients.

The awards ceremony took place at the Foundation’s Central Offices on Markos Drakos Street in Nicosia, where Sir Stelios congratulated the winners via Zoom.

A total of 34 teams, or 68 entrepreneurs from both communities, competed by submitting joint business proposals. Each member of the winning teams received €10,000, underscoring the foundation's commitment to fostering economic cooperation across the divide.

Sir Stelios noted, “The increasing participation and recognition of new business partnerships highlight the Awards' growing acceptance by both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. This year, a 50% new entry rate sends a powerful message of optimism. These collaborations not only build trust between communities but also contribute to the island’s economic prosperity and peace.”

The following entrepreneurs and their ventures have been highlighted for their innovative collaborations:

• Andreas Andreou and Emre Serdar (www.slimlineframe.com): Specializing in aluminum facades, doors, and windows, their products are now reaching international markets.

• Christoforos Psyllidis and Burcu Mahmutoglu (www.divecypria.cy): Founders of Dive Cypria, a diving school that offers training and organizes trips in Cyprus and the Red Sea.

• Steven Stavrou and Burak Doluay (https://socialtechlab.org/): Their SocialTech Lab pioneers tools that enhance entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaborative culture.

• Eleni Hatzigianni and Cile Siambis (www.instagram.com/karpasiaproducts): They produce traditional Cypriot products like halloumi and honey from Karpasia.

• Theodoros Christoforou and Arsen Angı (https://izmer.com/en/): Engaged in the marble trade, utilizing resources from multiple countries.

• Agathoklis Agathokleous and Hasan Siber (https://coliveoil.com/): Focus on mass-producing olive oil from the Larnaca region.

• Kostakis Katsiaris and Osman Altunoglu (www.facebook.com/cyprustraditionalchair): Craft traditional Cypriot chairs, exported to the UK.

• Michalis Pantelidis and Arif Cebeci (http://www.mpviolins.com/): Creators of handmade violins and restorers of antique instruments.

• Nikolas Papageorgiou and Zerin Sarp (https://musicforcyprus.com): Developers of an online platform for booking local musicians and bands.

• Michalis Konstantinou and Fezile Ozatach (https://mcoenterprises.net/): Their firm specializes in architectural designs, particularly in kitchen aesthetics.

Since its inception in 2009, the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards have disbursed a total of €4,390,000, underscoring a longstanding commitment to bi-communal cooperation and development.