Agathoklis and Hasan share their experience as Stelios Bi-Communal Awards winners

For 15 years, the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards for Business Cooperation have been warmly embraced by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot entrepreneurs.

Over the years, they have played a crucial role not only in fostering business collaboration and strengthening trust between the two communities but also in promoting Cyprus’s social and economic development. The significance of these awards is evident, as since their inception in 2009, including this year’s prize fund of €410,000, a total of €4,800,000 has been awarded.

Cypriot Olive Oil Conquers the USA

Agathoklis Agathokleous and Hasan Siber are among the award winners and co-founders of Coliveoil (https://coliveoil.com), a company dedicated to large-scale olive oil production, sourcing olives from both sides of the island. The dividing line has never been an obstacle to their collaboration—just as it has never stopped olive trees from thriving and growing on this beautiful Mediterranean island, Cyprus.

"Participating in the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards for Business Cooperation was an experience that gave us the momentum to move forward even more dynamically. We learned about the awards through online and print media and found the application process to be simple and easy. Furthermore, the support from previous participants encouraged us even more, as we recognized the importance of these awards in supporting bi-communal businesses," say the two partners and friends.

As they reveal, winning the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards for Business Cooperation provided them with the necessary financial liquidity to purchase larger stocks of olive oil from Cypriot producers.

"At a time of market instability, the prize money helped us maintain stability and continue our growth. At the same time, it allowed us to promote, strengthen, and spread the reputation of Cypriot olive oil in the United States. Additionally, it gave us the opportunity to expand our network of partners, further increasing our market presence," they emphasize.

Agathoklis and Hasan hope that their experience and award at the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards will inspire more entrepreneurs to follow the same path and seize the opportunities that cooperation offers, setting aside conflicts and differences.

"We strongly encourage all entrepreneurs who believe in the power of collaboration to apply. As the owners of Coliveoil, we will continue to invest in our vision while promoting peaceful cooperation through business. Because just as olive trees grow on both sides of the island, people, too, can create together, building a better future for all Cypriots," the two partners underline.

Application Process

Applications for the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards 2025 can be submitted until Tuesday, 11 March, 2025. Interested teams can apply by clicking the relevant link on the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation website: www.steliosfoundation.com.cy. After downloading and completing the application, they must send it via email to Marios Missirlis at marios.missirlis@stelios.com.

The prizes will be awarded by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou on Friday, 11 April, 2025, at 11am at the headquarters of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (5 Markou Drakou Street, Nicosia), in the presence of the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides.