FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
National Network
Cyprus
Address
Achilleos 13, EgkomiCountry
City
NicosiaMobile Phone
+35799825176Telephone
+35795159936Website
Click HereYear of Establishment
2019Contact Person1
Burak B. DoluayJob Title 1
DirectorContact Person 2
Steven W. StavrouJob Title 2
DirectorOrganisation Type
Non-Governmental OrganizationFields of Activity
Environment/Sustainable development, Gender, Human rights, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Others, Youth and educationGeneral Information
SocialTech Lab is an award-winning non-profit organisation based in Nicosia, Cyprus, dedicated to fostering resilient entrepreneurial ecosystems. We leverage entrepreneurship and innovation in fragile and divided contexts to bridge communities, empower local change-makers, address social and environmental challenges, and strengthen long-term resilience.
We operate CyprusInno, an island-wide digital and physical entrepreneurship platform, and The Base by CyprusInno – the world’s first Social Impact Generator™ – a hybrid innovation space located in Cyprus’ UN Buffer Zone that combines a coworking hub, an accelerator/incubator, an innovation centre for youth, and a multimedia studio. Through our work, we create safe, creative, and collaborative environments where people from across divides can co-create solutions with real impact.
Mission and Objectives
-To promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation as tools for social inclusion, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
-To support youth, women, and underrepresented communities by providing access to entrepreneurial education, mentorship, creative technologies, and capacity-building opportunities.
-To encourage cross-community collaboration in Cyprus and internationally, fostering trust, understanding, and shared problem-solving.
-To enhance resilience in vulnerable and transitioning communities through locally-rooted, innovation-driven solutions.
-To create inclusive spaces (physical and digital) where civil society, youth, creatives, and entrepreneurs can connect, learn, and build initiatives that drive positive social change.
Main Projects / Activities
SocialTech Lab, through its initiatives CyprusInno and The Base by CyprusInno, implements cross-community, youth-focused, and innovation-driven programs. Key activities include:
- Entrepreneurship Accelerators & Venture Builders:
Programs such as UNDP BOOST Urban Future Finance Accelerator, the Youth Innovation Factory, and SDG Innovation Pre-Accelerator support young innovators and early-stage startups to develop, test, and scale solutions, often providing mentorship and seed funding.
- Hackathons & Innovation Challenges:
Organisation of thematic hackathons including the UNDP Food Waste Hackathon, the Microsoft AI/ML Hackathon (Cyprus–Palestine collaboration), and the EIT Community NEB Ignite Hackathon, which promote creativity, problem-solving, intercultural collaboration, and sustainable urban innovation.
- Sector-Specific Bootcamps & Training:
Delivery of agrifood entrepreneurship bootcamps (EIT Food), business and innovation workshops, and skill-building programs for farmers, youth, and creatives, with emphasis on bicommunal participation and technology adoption.
- Women’s Empowerment Programs:
Implementation of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), a 3-month capacity-building program for Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot women offering training, mentorship, and study visits.
- Youth & Bicommunal Engagement Initiatives:
Programs such as STOMP CY promote youth entrepreneurship and intercommunity exchange, while resident teams and mentorship programs support young founders working from The Base.
- Digital Learning & Tools:
Development of the Knowledge Lab online learning platform, the Alumni Mobile App, and the ChatGLT AI chatbot, offering accessible resources, networking, and cross-border business support.
- EU-Funded Research & Innovation Projects:
Participation in international projects such as EUSOME (Horizon Europe) on autonomous aerial systems and coordination of Y-PLAN (Erasmus+), empowering youth to co-design sustainable neighbourhood interventions across multiple cities.
How can you contribute to the Network in your country?
SocialTech Lab can contribute to the annual ALF Network efforts in Cyprus by:
- Providing a neutral and inclusive space (The Base) for intercultural dialogue, youth engagement, civil society collaboration, and cross-community exchange.
-Sharing expertise in innovation methodologies, entrepreneurship education, and digital engagement tailored for youth and civil society.
-Co-organising workshops, dialogue sessions, hackathons, and creative labs that bring together diverse groups across cultures and communities.
-Strengthening the network's outreach to young people, women, and underrepresented groups through our established programs and platforms.
-Supporting joint ALF initiatives by leveraging our multimedia studio and digital communication channels to amplify stories, research, and outcomes.
Why do you want to join the ALF Network?
We wish to join the ALF Network to connect with like-minded organisations across the Euro-Mediterranean region and to contribute to shared efforts promoting intercultural dialogue, youth empowerment, and social inclusion. The network’s values closely align with our mission to use innovation as a tool for peacebuilding and community resilience.
Membership will allow us to exchange best practices, co-develop cross-border initiatives, strengthen our impact in Cyprus and on a regional and EU level, and collaborate on programs that bring communities together through creativity, dialogue, and social innovation.