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Founded in 2002, SYNTHESIS is Cyprus’ pioneering institution of social entrepreneurship and social innovation. It creates projects of social impact, particularly in the fields of social inclusion, employment, migrant integration, and sustainable development. It is the founder of Hub Nicosia, a coworking space and a social innovation hub, and runs the ‘Social Café an initiative that aims at the empowerment and social integration of migrants and refugees.  In a world surrounded with exclusion of many forms and environmental challenges, it leads and participates in actions that improve individual lives, enhance social inclusion, and contribute to a green and sustainable future, for the people and the planet. 

OUR STORY

Founded in 2002, SYNTHESIS began with the belief that social change starts with the individual. It was perhaps one of the first enterprises that ever started with social inclusion as one of its main priorities.

Over the past two decades, SYNTHESIS has evolved into one of Cyprus’ leading organizations in social entrepreneurship and social innovation. Leading not because of its size but because of being bold enough to challenge traditional systems. In early 2003, it designed and run the pioneering project "Social Skills and Healthier Self Esteem" (SHE). SHE was the first European project to incorporate self-esteem within an educational context. SHE introduced "social circles"as a learning environment and placed emphasis on human qualities for facilitators and trainers, rather than mere academic qualifications.

By 2010, SYNTHESIS was helping shape a new conversation that connected enterprises with social purpose. It organized Cyprus’s first Conference on Social Entrepreneurship, before the financial crisis had reached Cyprus, and much before "social entrepreneurship" became the buzz word of today. 

In 2013, SYNTHESIS was the first enterprise to have an office in the United Nations area of Nicosia, reaching both Cypriot communities across the dividing line, focusing on entrepreneurship and leadership development where others focused on the political problem of the country.
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In 2015, it founded Hub Nicosia, a coworking space and a hub for social innovation, which in 2018 was established as non-for-profit entity.
In 2019, the Social Café was born, an initiative that aims at the empowerment and social integration of migrants and refugees.  Launched through the PandPas project (2017–2019), it continues today as a lasting example of sustainability beyond the end of its funding cycle.
Two decades on, SYNTHESIS stands among Cyprus’s leading organizations in social innovation and entrepreneurship, partnering across Europe to advance inclusion, sustainability, and well-being.
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OUR MISSION & APPROACH
We drive social innovation through education, entrepreneurship, and research — creating solutions that empower people and regenerate communities.
Driving Inclusive Sustainable Change
We are Cyprus' leader in social entrepreneurship and social innovation. We create projects of social impact, particularly in the fields of social inclusion, employment, migrant integration, and sustainable development
Empowering Spaces for Social Impact
We are the founders of Hub Nicosia, a social innovation hub which houses and supports organisations, entrepreneurs and enterprises with social or environmental mission. We operate the Social Cafe, an initiative that aims at the empowerment and social integration of migrants and refugees. 
Connecting Research, Education, and Action
Our approach unites research, education and social impact. - creating solutions that serve both people and the planet. In a world surrounded with exclusion of many forms and environmental challenges, we lead and participate in actions that improve individual lives, enhance social inclusion, and contribute to a green and sustainable future, for the people and the planet.
THE SYNTHESIS MODEL

Our approach to innovation is guided by what we call the SYNTHESIS Model — a framework for regenerative social innovation.


It integrates research, education, and action.

Synthesis Model People Planet Purpose Wheel

OUR ECOSYSTEM

HUB NICOSIA
A hub for social innovation, supporting changemakers, entrepreneurs, and organizations creating sustainable impact.
THE SOCIAL CAFE
A community initiative that empowers and connects migrants and refugees through meaningful engagement.
PARTNERSHIP NETWORK
A growing network of 250+ European partners collaborating for inclusion, sustainability, and innovation.
We believe innovation isn't just about technology - it's about people.
-SYNTHESIS Center for Research and Education

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