75 Bi-Communal teams received prizes of EUR10,000 each during the award ceremony that took place on October 20, at Filoxenia Conference Centre.

The awards have been in operation on the island since 2009, and represent a private initiative as part of Haji-Ioannou vision to promote and encourage bi-communal cooperation and lasting peace between Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots.

Commenting on the occasion, Haji-Ioannou revealed that the number of applicants since 2009 when the awards began to be granted skyrocketed, while also noting that during the first year only 10 people turned up. He also added that the attitude of all Cypriots on the island towards the other community is changing in a positive and favourable direction.