Hub Nicosia is an educational NGO. The vision was for Hub Nicosia to become the first incubator for social enterprises in the country and it has succeeded in becoming not only that, but a prominent stakeholder in youth entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and civic engagement.
Hub Nicosia aims to mobilise youth to fully engage in the civic, political and economic life. It offers learning opportunities for strengthening skills such as:
– Soft skills for empowerment, democratic participation and active citizenship
– Employment skills to assist youth transition into employment
– Enterprise skills so they can start their own social enterprises, while also providing a vibrant co-working space and additional support services.
HUB Nicosia is a multifaceted organization that engages in a variety of activities on a local and European level, including EU funded projects, and a series of services tailored to youth and social enterprises. It offers training courses, support services, educational activities, events and conferences focused around inclusion and diversity, as well services and opportunities for marginalized groups, including migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees.
HUB Nicosia funds its operation through EU funded projects, paid services to clients of the co-working space, and a portfolio of other paid services towards local and EU stakeholders. The above enables the organization to fund a range of initiatives and services that are provided for free to people and disadvantaged communities. In addition to the inclusion and integration scope, HUB Nicosia also maintains a strong environmental focus, that manifests as a series of local activities including a TNR program (Trap, Neuter, Return) for the stray animals in the locality, while also providing food and veterinary care to animals in need through a close collaboration with local vets, all paid and supported by the organization. In the future, HUB Nicosia aims to expand the range of services offered, as well as to maximize the social impact by engaging even more individuals and communities in need while also supporting efficiently social entrepreneurship projects and businesses.
Despite the lack of a coherent and clear framework for Social Enterprises on the island of Cyprus; HUB Nicosia has succeeded in creating and establishing a viable business model that not only enables the organization to thrive, but also allows it to support in a practical -as well as educational- manner other Socialo Businesses and Social Entreprises. This is a testament to the fact that although the regulatory and legal framework is a contributing factor to the success and growth of the Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in any country, it is not the decisive factor when it comes to viability and growth of Social Enterprises, especially those who are able to adapt and diversify as needed.
Despite the lack of a coherent and clear framework for Social Enterprises on the island of Cyprus; HUB Nicosia has succeeded in creating and establishing a viable business model that not only enables the organization to thrive, but also allows it to support in a practical -as well as educational- manner other Socialo Businesses and Social Entreprises. This is a testament to the fact that although the regulatory and legal framework is a contributing factor to the success and growth of the Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in any country, it is not the decisive factor when it comes to viability and growth of Social Enterprises, especially those who are able to adapt and diversify as needed.
HUB Nicosia is looking forward to welcome even more aspiring and existing social entrepreneurs and help them navigate the local and international challenges and become better equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
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