eunite:SME

eunite:SME is a €8.5 Million, four-year initiative under the EU-funded eunite Programme. It supports Turkish Cypriot small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups and entrepreneurship ecosystem actors to strengthen innovation, comply with EU-standards, and integrate into both the island-wide economy and the EU single market.

Our mission is to boost the competitiveness of Turkish Cypriot businesses, fuel innovation, and strengthen trade — across the Green Line and into the wider EU market. To get there, we provide grants, technical assistance, training, and mentoring, helping businesses integrate into the island-wide economy and build a thriving ecosystem that benefits the Turkish Cypriot community and Cyprus as a whole. Digitalisation, sustainability, and compliance with EU standards are the pillars we build on.

€8.5 Million

€8.5 Million to be invested over 48 months in SME growth, innovation, Green Line and EU market integration.

Over €4 Million

Over €4 Million to be provided in grants and bridge-building financial support for SMEs and micro-businesses across multiple schemes.

eunite Business Hive

eunite Business Hive the programme’s physical hub in Nicosia for grants, innovation roadmaps, startups and value-chain development.

Building on years of EU investment and successful initiatives, this programme drives economic convergence and bicommunal collaboration across Cyprus. Our mission is to achieve this by:

Making Turkish Cypriot SMEs more competitive and better aligned with the EU single market:

By designing and developing initiatives that enhance knowledge and capacity in high-quality, innovative, sustainable, and value-adding business growth — enabling and promoting Green Line Trade.

Strengthening the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem:

By supporting local actors, early-stage entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs to innovate and thrive.

Strengthening value chains with high Green Line Trade potential:

By supporting SMEs and local actors to both create new value chains and integrate existing ones.

What we do

We are building a more vibrant and resilient business ecosystem in the Turkish Cypriot community (TCc), with the aim of increasing trade across the Green Line and integrating TCc SMEs into the EU single market. Our targeted initiatives provide businesses with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to thrive, sharpen their competitiveness, and foster innovation within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Working closely with local partners and stakeholders, we are also strengthening value chains to increase the volume and expand the scope of Green Line trade.

To this end, eunite:SME delivers a comprehensive range of actions:

Access to finance

We offer financial support to SMEs to align with EU standards, improve quality and value, adopt innovative and sustainable practices, and strengthen their digital and green transition capabilities.

Advisory support

We provide guidance and support to help SMEs develop effective business strategies and build their capacity.

Innovation Training and Roadmaps

We work with SMEs to design and implement tailored innovation roadmaps that encourage continuous improvement and long-term competitiveness.

Startup and SME Support

We offer mentorship, training, and networking opportunities to early- stage entrepreneurs and startups, empowering them to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses.

Strengthening value chains

We partner with local actors and stakeholders to identify, develop, and strengthen value chains with high potential for Green Line trade.

Supporting local ecosystem actors

We provide entrepreneurs with comprehensive business development support, including training, mentorship, and company formation guidance.

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Grant Schemes

eunite:SME supports the growth and competitiveness of Turkish Cypriot SMEs by improving their access to finance —an essential enabler for business expansion, compliance, and innovation. The programme combines targeted financial support with expertise; and helps businesses overcome structural barriers -such as meeting EU standards, by supporting investments in modern machinery or adopting digital and marketing solutions. The programme also supports their integration into Green Line trade and the EU single market through close engagement with key stakeholders.

Learn more

FAQs

eunite:SME provides a mix of financial and technical support, including:

Access to finance and technical assistance: Financial support combined with advisory services to help SMEs align with EU standards, improve product quality, adopt sustainable and innovative practices, and strengthen their digital and green transition capabilities.
Innovation and business development: Tailored innovation roadmaps, training, and strategic guidance to help SMEs strengthen their competitiveness and support sustainable growth.
Startup and entrepreneur support: Mentorship, training, networking opportunities, and comprehensive business development support —including company formation guidance — for startups and early-stage entrepreneurs.Ecosystem and value chain strengthening: Support for local stakeholders and value chains with high potential for Green Line trade, focusing on sustainability, digitalization, and long-term impact.

The ultimate goal of eunite:SME is to integrate Turkish Cypriot small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups into the island-wide economy and the EU single market by promoting alignment with EU standards, innovation and competitiveness. The programme actively encourages cooperation between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities by supporting joint ventures, cross-community networking, and initiatives like Startups4Peace. It also strengthens value chains and creates spaces such as the eunite Business Hive to help build trust, increase contacts, and foster inclusive economic growth across the Green Line.