Stelios Bi-Communal Awards Presented In Grand Ceremony

Now in its 16th consecutive year, the awards honour bi-communal entrepreneurship initiatives aimed at promoting cooperation, coexistence and a shared vision for Cyprus’s future.

The awards were presented by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder and president of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and creator and owner of the easy brand family, which includes easy.com and easyhistory.info. This year, nine Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot entrepreneurs forming bi-communal partnerships were recognised.

The ceremony, held at the Stelios Foundation headquarters in Nicosia, was attended by Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguín Cuéllar, and UN Special Representative for Cyprus Colin Stewart Kassim Diagne, who praised the long-standing contribution of the initiative to entrepreneurship and intercommunal cooperation across the island.

This year’s total prize fund of €500,000 brings the Foundation’s overall contribution to bi-communal cooperation and joint economic development since 2009 to €5.3 million.

A total of 78 Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot entrepreneurs formed 39 bi-communal partnerships and applied for the 2026 edition of the awards.

€500,000 Distributed To 18 Participants

Nine bi-communal teams shared the €500,000 prize fund across three categories:

One team received the €150,000 Gold Award, with each entrepreneur receiving €75,000.

Two teams received Silver Awards worth a total of €200,000, with each team receiving €100,000 and each entrepreneur €50,000.

Six teams received Bronze Awards worth a total of €150,000, with each team receiving €25,000 and each entrepreneur €12,500.

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou congratulated all winners and participants, saying the awards represent not only a business initiative but also a strong demonstration of the potential for cooperation and shared success between the island’s two communities.

He added that the initiative continues to support entrepreneurs who choose to build bridges rather than invisible walls, expressing confidence that Cyprus’s future belongs to those who invest in opportunities and shared prosperity.

President Nikos Christodoulides described the Stelios Bi-Communal Cooperation Awards as a long-standing institution embodying the transformative power of cooperation and peaceful coexistence.