Funded By: the Active Citizens Fund, Civil Society Programme of the EEA and Norway Grants www.eeagrants.org | www.norwaygrants.org

Programme Period: April 2020 - April 2024

Founded by the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) and officially opened in 2011, the Home for Cooperation is a unique community centre located in the middle of the dividing lines in Cyprus, in the Ledra Palace area, UN Buffer Zone, Nicosia. Today the Home for Cooperation has become a landmark building in Nicosia, acting as a bridge-builder between separated communities, memories and visions through its physical presence and its peacebuilding programs benefiting from the transformative power of arts and culture. The Home for Cooperation provides working spaces and opportunities for non-governmental organisations and individuals to design and implement innovative projects. It facilitates situations for people to get together and to get to know each other. As a unique venue, The Home, hosts an extensive variety of cultural, artistic, and educational programs and activities with the aim to foster creativity and intercultural trust in Cyprus and internationally. Since 2014 it is governed by its own Governing Board, where the AHDR Board is also represented.

The establishment and first years of the H4C’s operation was significantly supported by EEA Grants. Over its 9 years of existence, the H4C has evolved into a space enabling discussion of concerns and interests shared by all communities on the island. The idea is that when people from all communities get the chance to meet one another, to exchange ideas and share experiences, an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is constructed, strengthening the foundation for a political culture of cooperation so much needed in Cyprus. The focus on education, culture, arts and cooperation among civil society organisations and commerce has a direct correlation with strengthened social cohesion via increased social capital achieved by constructing ties between communities.

While at the official political level the pursuit for peace is aiming at a comprehensive political agreement, the civil society is aiming to build a culture of cooperation and trust from below, providing the socio-political environment needed for a stable peace in Cyprus. The AHDR is contributing to the development of this process through implementation of numerous programs and projects. At the same time, the H4C provides an appropriate working environment for other NGOs working across the existing divide to join forces and support each other.

Below, the list of activities in the 48-month project will be presented under 3 major project components:

Pillar I – Educational and Research Programmes: To support AHDR activities and to develop dialogue on history education. It will include the organisation of an annual applied history education laboratory, revisiting our policy paper on education and history education reform proposal, as well as research and development of trilingual supplementary educational materials. A detailed description of all AHDR activities under Pillar I of the project will be made available throughout the duration of the project.

Pillar II – Infrastructure: Supporting the operational expenses of the Home for Cooperation under which activities are centered on the functioning and maintenance of the Home for Cooperation on an operational level, building a framework for its sustainability.

Pillar III – Cultural and Community Activities: All ongoing activities under Pillar III will be managed by the Home for Cooperation Team and made available on the Home's website.