Conference on social entrepreneurship and inclusion held at OEB headquarters

On October 21, 2026, a conference titled 'Social Entrepreneurship and Inclusion – From idea to participation, employment, and social change' was held at the headquarters of the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB) in Nicosia. The event served as a platform to discuss the institutional framework governing social enterprises in Cyprus and explored new avenues for their development.

The initiative was co-organized by the OEB, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies as the authority responsible for social enterprises, and the Neophytos Cultural Organization. Key speakers included Paris Anastasiou, Director of Business Development and Green Transition at OEB; Loukas Ioannou and Aristides Charalambous representing the Neophytos organization; Kypros Protopapas, Registrar of Cooperative Societies and Social Enterprises; and Gregoria Gavriilidou, head of the political section of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus.

The discussions focused on the vital role of responsible entrepreneurship in fostering social inclusion and expanding employment opportunities. This event is part of a broader set of initiatives by the OEB aimed at strengthening the social business sector, which has been identified as a key factor in promoting long-term economic integration and social progress within the Cypriot market.