Since 2000, the Embassy’s Bicommunal Support Program (BSP) provided training programs for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in areas of common interest that ranged from education and media, to youth leadership and combating trafficking in persons. Over the past 14 years, these programs gave participants the chance to work together to break down barriers and find practical solutions to island-wide concerns. Through a variety of innovative programs and activities, BSP reached thousands of Cypriots island-wide and helped create an environment of tolerance and mutual understanding. AMIDEAST, an NGO that maintained a small office in Nicosia until 2012, was instrumental in implementing most BSP programs.
BSP also provided Cypriots with small grant opportunities in order to realize their own bicommunal projects. These initiatives focused on research in labor trafficking, environmental concerns specific to Cyprus that involved scientists from both communities, workshops for history teachers on multi-perceptivity, a bicommunal educational youth film festival, bicommunal basketball youth twinning programs, and several years of funding for Daniel Pearl World Music Days that featured local Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot musicians, as well as many more.
Cyprus America Scholarship Program (CASP)
The Cyprus America Scholarship Program (CASP), which is administered by the Cyprus Fulbright Commission, provides bachelor’s degree-level scholarships and short-term professional training opportunities. CASP also supports bicommunal summer camps for Cypriot youth and university students.