SocialTech Lab's CyprusInno transformed by hand a 4-part military container which we call The Base by CyprusInno, the first space of its kind in the world located in a Buffer Zone that combines the elements of a coworking, innovation center, studio, & accelerator/incubator. This fundraiser helps to sustain our yearly operations necessary to continue scaling for impact and allows us to train, accelerate, and incubate startups from our divided communities to build peace through entrepreneurship.
Cyprus has been divided for nearly 50 years, leaving young Cypriots uncertain about the future of their country and the economic benefits of a united island largely untapped. The island's Buffer Zone (i.e., "Demilitarized Zone" "Green Line") offers an opportunity for both communities across the divide to meet & interact, which opens the door to economic collaboration. However, this area is mostly a "dead zone" and has little to no infrastructure to promote and support innovation and partnership.
In Europe's last divided capital, and in the volatile region of The Levant, we've established a peaceful, stable, engaging, and interactive space that maximizes dialogue and cooperation via entrepreneurship and innovation. From The Base, we strive to transform this dead zone into an innovation zone by operating a "base" for Greek- and Turkish-Cypriots to co-work and collaborate, build and launch their ideas/startups through a social impact accelerator, access mentors, build a network, and more.
Cyprus has the potential to serve as a model for peace, stability, and prosperity across our region. We'll help train, mentor, and accelerate at 20+ social impact startups (40-60 Greek & Turkish-Cypriot founders) with ideas that tackle social & environmental issues in Cyprus and abroad via the SDGs, and support hundreds more. Collaboration via business creates economic ties between our divided communities, which builds trust & peace. This model that can be replicated in other conflict regions.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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