Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Creator and Owner of the easy family of brands (www.easy.com & www.easyHistory.info) and Founder and Chairman of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (www.steliosfoundation.com.cy), presented the journey, philosophy and long-standing contribution of the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards for Business Co-operation in Cyprus.
The presentation took place on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, at the Headquarters of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation in Nicosia, as part of the preparations for the Awards Ceremony, which is scheduled to be held on 8 June 2026.
The event bore a strong imprint of the business community, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping conditions of cooperation and stability that contribute to the island’s economic development. Representatives of the business sector attended the event, along with the leadership of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEB), and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.
SRSG Mr. Khassim Diagne, Mr. Konstantinos Kollias Ambassador of Greece in Cyprus and Mr. Michael Tatham British High Commissioner in Cyprus also attended the event.
16 Years of Stelios Bi-Communal Awards
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, speaking via live Zoom connection, presented the activities of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and underlined the enduring value of the Awards institution, noting that it makes a meaningful contribution to the consolidation of lasting peace on the island and strengthens the economic progress of both communities.
As Sir Stelios emphasised, the Bi-Communal Awards are not merely an annual ceremony, but a constant reminder that cooperation between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot entrepreneurs can build relationships of trust that stand the test of time, transcending dividing lines, even when politics fails to do so.
The Stelios Bi-Communal Awards, which have been established as one of the longest-running and most substantial institutions of bi-communal cooperation in Cyprus, mark 16 years in 2026. The total value of the Awards to date, including this year’s amount of €500,000, has reached €5.3 million, noted the founder and creator of the initiative.
Welcoming the guests, Ms Rena Rouvitha Panou, Member of the Board of Directors of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, stated that the objective of the event is to inspire, motivate and encourage a steadily growing number of bi-communal teams to apply and participate in the Bi-Communal Awards for Business Co-operation. In this way, she pointed out, strong and meaningful business partnerships between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can be fostered, strengthening mutual trust.
This year’s prize fund of €500,000, she added, is a tangible example of the financial support provided by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation to bi-communal business teams, as well as an ongoing incentive for them to continue their efforts.
Key Highlights
- The total amount awarded over the 16 years of the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards for Business Co-operation in Cyprus amounts to €5.3 million.
- €500,000 will be awarded to nine winning two-member bi-communal teams.
- €350,000 was spent on the promotion and publicity of this year’s Awards across digital media, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google PPC and YouTube.
- 67,000 people visited the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation website between 8 January 2026 and 1 February 2026.
- 1,100 visitors downloaded the Awards application form between 8 January 2026 and 1 February 2026.
- The promotional video of the Awards recorded 6,000,000 views on YouTube.
Following the completion of the presentation, a Cocktail Dinner was held, offering guests the opportunity to exchange views, discuss prospects for cooperation and strengthen communication networks between the two communities.
It is noted that the 2026 Bi-Communal Cooperation Awards Ceremony will take place on 8th June, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, underscoring the institutional importance and significance of the initiative.
The event can be watched on YouTube HERE
