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Stelios Haji-Ioannou Funds €5.3M to Unite Cyprus Through Entrepreneurship

A divided island finds common ground through innovation. Discover how €5.3M in awards is turning rivalry into partnership—one startup at a time.

It is a photo frame of three women their background is blue color and around the photo frame there...
It is a photo frame of three women their background is blue color and around the photo frame there are names of different sponsors and a company name.

Stelios Haji-Ioannou Funds €5.3M to Unite Cyprus Through Entrepreneurship

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of easy.com and the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, has once again backed efforts to strengthen ties between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. For the 16th year, his foundation is funding the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards, which encourage cooperation across the divided island. The latest round of awards, announced in June 2026, will distribute €5,300,000 to support joint business ventures and young entrepreneurs in my business.

The Stelios Bi-Communal Awards focus on fostering collaboration between the two communities in Cyprus. Two key initiatives—the Bi-Communal Business Cooperation Awards and the Young Entrepreneur Awards—form the core of this year’s programme. Both are designed to break down barriers and create economic opportunities for small business ideas on both sides of the island.

On June 4, 2026, Sir Stelios presented the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award in person. This year’s ceremony saw €500,000 shared among 18 Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot businesses. The foundation’s scholarships for 2026, also managed directly by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, will further support these efforts. The foundation’s broader mission extends beyond Cyprus, aiming to fund community projects in places where Stelios and his family have lived and worked. However, its work in Cyprus remains a priority, with a long-standing commitment to bridging divides through economic and social initiatives.

The latest awards bring the total funding for 2026 to €5,300,000. This money will go toward scholarships, business grants, and entrepreneurial support for both communities. The foundation’s continued investment highlights its dedication to fostering lasting cooperation on the island.

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