Application deadline August 16, 2013
The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation is giving each of 10 entrepreneurial teams a chance to win €10,000 for their business, dedicated to promoting trust and bi-communal teamwork in Cyprus. Initiated by easyGroup founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the Stelios Award for Business Cooperation in Cyprus has become a milestone on the island since 2009 with €1 million awarded to-date to 20 partnerships comprising Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot entrepreneurs.
The Awards promote island-wide, bi-communal business cooperation by giving promising ventures the funding boost they need to grow. Winning partnerships exhibit entrepreneurial passion, a unique and solid business idea and a dedication to bringing the communities of Cyprus together for the benefit of the island.
Up to ten awards of €10,000 will be presented to those teams which best demonstrate bi-cultural teamwork and mutual trust at an event organized by the Foundation on September 10, 2013.
Stelios said: “When I started these awards nearly 5 years ago, Cyprus was a much more prosperous place to do business. Now that we are in the middle of a financial crisis, it is even more important to remember that promoting bi-communal business is the best way to achieve both lasting peace on the island and job creation! Cyprus is too small to be divided and entrepreneurs will be the ones that will create the new jobs. I hope my 10k euro for each partnership will make the difference between success and failure for a young business!”
In order to qualify and win one of the ten prizes of €10,000 per team, you must apply by August 16 and meet the following criteria:
1. You must be at least one Greek-Cypriot and one Turkish-Cypriot who work together in a business venture.
2. Both of you must be born on the island of Cyprus.
3. Forming new teams as a result of the award is actively encouraged as it is a confidence-building measure between the two communities.
4. Your entrepreneurial activities must be based on the island of Cyprus and available to customers throughout the island.
5. You must be able to communicate in English and by email.
6. The size of the business and its profitability will be used as additional criteria in selecting the winners who will earn the €10,000 prize money, however it is stressed that this Award is designed to encourage entrepreneurial start-ups, too.
7. Not-for-profit endeavors will also be considered as applicants, as long as the criteria above are met and provided the activities are conducted in a business-like manner.
All applications will be reviewed by representatives of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, while finalists and winners will be personally selected by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou.
To download the application, please click here http://www.stelios.com/news-archive/criteria-for-application.html
