The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation has officially launched the North-South Business Cooperation Awards in County Monaghan, Ireland. This new €500,000 initiative supports cross-border entrepreneurship between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, awarding 18 entrepreneurs from nine qualifying businesses that have been trading across the border within the past five years.
Inspired by similar foundation programmes in the UK, Greece, and Cyprus, the awards aim to strengthen economic and social ties on the island. EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou emphasised the role of business in building trust, prosperity, and lasting peace.
The programme is run in partnership with Co-operation Ireland, and applications are now open via the Stelios Foundation website.