🤝 Celebrating 16 Years of the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards for Business Co-operation in Cyprus

On Monday 8th June 2026 at the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation Headquarters in Nicosia, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou awarded €500,000 to nine outstanding bi-communal business partnerships, bringing the Foundation’s total contribution to Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot entrepreneurship to €5.3 million since the launch of the initiative in 2009.

The ceremony was honoured by the presence of President Nikos Christodoulides, UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguín Cuéllar, and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus, Khassim Diagne.

In his address, President Nikos Christodoulides described the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards as a longstanding institution that demonstrates the transformative power of cooperation and peaceful coexistence. He noted that the awards illuminate the future Cyprus deserves — one of reunification, co-creation, and prosperity for all Cypriots within the European family. He emphasized that the awards are a symbol of hope, mutual trust, and shared purpose, showcasing what can be achieved when Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots work together towards a common vision.

🏆 Gold Award (€150,000)
• Steven Stavrou & Burak Doluay – SocialTech Lab

🥈 Silver Awards (€100,000 per team)
• Michalis Pantelides & Arif Cebeci – Handmade violins and restoration of antique musical instruments
• Demetris Ellinas & Memduh Aybar – PVC HVAC grille systems and building façade solutions

🥉 Bronze Awards (€25,000 per team)
• Andreas Zachariou & Hakan Goksan – Collection and export of used cooking oil
• Georgios Papadikos & Huseyin Yavuzkurt – Fresh fish export and trade
• George Tryfilis & Havva Gules – Sports, arts, events and venue services
• Christos Vasiliou & Hakan Agit – Cakes and ice cream production
• Georgios Anagiotos & Omer Evre – Film production
• Katerina Loizou & Mustafa Afsaroglu – Sustainable decorative surfaces from agricultural waste

A total of 39 bi-communal teams, comprising 78 entrepreneurs, submitted applications this year, once again demonstrating the growing strength of entrepreneurship as a bridge between Cyprus’ two communities.

As Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou stated, these partnerships are far more than business ventures—they are living proof that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can work together, create together, and succeed together.

Congratulations to all winners and participants for their vision, determination, and commitment to building a more prosperous and united future for Cyprus.

Please click HERE for more information.

You can watch the awards ceremony on YouTube HERE