Hikayelerimiz

“Müziğin insanları ve toplumları bir araya getirdiği konusunda hiç şüphe yok. İki toplum arasındaki benzerlikler ve farklılıklara değer veriyor ve birlikte müzik yaparak ortak kültürümüzü geliştirebileceğimize inanıyorum. Bu proje, bunu yapmanın en mükemmel yoluydu.”

“Tanıştığımız günden, şimdiye kadar hiçbir arkadaşımla sahip olmadığım bir arkadaşlığı bulduğumu anlamıştım. Sonrasında “The Time is Ripe” projesi ve “United by Sound” programında yine birlikteydik. Ses ve video kaydı süreci oldukça keyifliydi. Her birimiz kendi bölümlerimizi ayrı ayrı kaydetmiş olsak da, ayn ekibin parçası olduğumuzu hissettim. Bu amaç uğruna çalışan insanların enerjisi inanılmaz. Bu şarkı gerçek anlamda, hiçbir ön yargı olmadan, Kıbrıslılar arasında sevgi ve arkadaşlığı savunuyor. Daha iyi günler göreceğimizi umuyorum.”

"My internship experience at the Home for Cooperation has not only been a work experience; it has been a process of discovering the hope for peace that the societies of Cyprus grow together. I have observed how the people from different backgrounds and believes can work unitedly in harmony for the same purpose; for peace. Now, the Home for Cooperation is a home for me where I feel that “I am not the only one”."

"I really enjoy the supportive, community environment created by the Home for Cooperation team. While interning for the Buffer Fringe Performing Arts Festival, it is truly inspiring to read about all the participating artists and how they have thrived working on their performances/installations, despite the pandemic. As I am a recent Drama graduate, it is especially important for me to expand my performative knowledge and creativity by learning about the wide range of innovative festival ideas concocted by each artist!"

"I collaborated with Home for Cooperation as an intern under strange circumstances, due to Covid-19. Even though the conditions were difficult, they confronted the pandemic with professionalism and did not interrupt their services and effort to unite people. I was touched by the friendly and cosy atmosphere which reigned among the staff. Home for Cooperation is located in the heart of Nicosia old town, and therefore represents the core of hope for a better future."

"I am grateful for all the beautiful persons I have met at the Home for Cooperation in these few months and happy to have been part of it, even for a brief period of time. An inspiring environment where people are engaged in doing things that matter. Cyprus, it seems, is still breathing after all."

"During my internship experience, I had the opportunity to learn more about our island's problem and how we can act upon solving it. I got to meet lots of interesting people and created meaningful relationships that will last longer than this 3-month period."

"My internship at the Home for Cooperation it was a great experience! The main point for me, it was that there are factors in “cypriot problem” whose voice can not be listened. And if we could listen to these (common) people we could co-exist peacefully, even after all these years without walls."

 "My internship at the H4C was eye-opening and educational. I was a front-desk intern, I learned how to represent an organization in the best way possible through the position I worked in. This position taught me how to communicate with people, employers, and visitors, in a professional way. Also, it was wonderful to work in a place that promotes peace, understanding, and tolerance in Cyprus. The Home for Cooperation is an example of peace and tolerance which helps you to understand that the solution to any conflict in this world, whether it is political or personal, is peace, tolerance, and acceptance. In my point of view, the Home for Cooperation should be an example for each and every country that faces conflict with another."

 "When you think of a buffer zone, what comes to mind? Hostility, division, a wariness of ‘the other’? At the Home for Cooperation in Nicosia, Cyprus the complete opposite is found. A real home where people feel secure and free. Having researched the Cyprus dispute during my studies, it was an honour to be part of this peace initiative which works at a grassroots level. One of the many memories I shall cherish was the salsa dancing evening. Twirling under the stars in the buffer zone brought members from across the divide, creating meaningful memories allowing people to express themselves, reunite and reconcile. The ambiance at the home is warm, welcoming and professional as it makes the first steps towards lasting peace."

"The Buffer Zone growing up was an unapproachable space, you couldn't grasp what it really was. You could not enter it was a prohibited zone. Working for a few months within that space changes your idea of its possibilities. The Home for Cooperation is the reason, the people who work there reinvent this divide daily into a space of contact and creativity. It was very exciting being part of that team for a while and working specifically for the Buffer Fringe Performing Arts Festival, I feel that I gained valuable life experience and knowledge and I am very grateful for the opportunity and the people I met."

 "It’s been an interesting insight working with home for cooperation and EDIC. Home as the name goes is truly a replica of what it’s called. Great people all round, a favorable working and leaning abode. When one’s dedication and efforts are recognized by all and inspired to do more, it is truly a home. When you envision the life you want and the people in and around it makes it easier for you through its process. All projects worked on have indeed been educative and captivating. This has been an experience and a time worth it. I am grateful to all."  

"Working as a trainee at the H4C was an amazing experience. The Home actually feels like a real home - in the middle of the Buffer Zone. The atmoshpere is so friendly that it becomes really easy to genuinely feel part of the H4C family. The team members are awsome, inspiring and dedicated people. As a trainee, my missions were so diverse and interesting that I was able to develop new skills I didn't imagine I would learn before coming. It was also good to be able to participate in current projects, suggest new ideas, be useful to the team and the Home's great cause."

"My internship at the Home for Cooperation showed me a peace project like I have never seen before. I loved the atmosphere at the place and how everyone wanted to work on a solution to the Cyprus problem. Being from former divided Germany I also got a new perspective on the history of my own country. I would recommend visiting the Home to everyone who wants to see how people from both sides come together, overcoming stereotypes and prejudices."

"When I started working at H4C, I didn’t really know what to expect because everything was new for me. However, I got easily used to my new tasks due to the patience and the kindness of my amazing H4C colleagues. I got to learn how does an NGO work and insights about peacebuilding processes. In the end, I can only say that it was a privilege to learn around my incredible coworkers and an enriching experience working at H4C."

"Being a student of international cooperation doing my internship at H4C was a privilege and I consider it "the cherry on the cake" of my academic path. I was aware of the important role that they had during the past in such a contested area and I was glad to contribute as well to their peacekeeping and cultural rights' promotion activities. All the staff supported and guided me in the various tasks in a stimulating and comfortable environment, always open to comparison and dialogue."

"For 2 months I had the pleasure of doing the Erasmus programme with Home for Cooperation in Nicosia, Cyprus. Working in the buffer zone was a highly enlightening experience and I really felt like I got such a unique insight, not only into the present life of the city but also the country's history and how it related to the present. Working with colleagues from both the south and the north, I got to see how they really care about working together in order to promote peace. I learned a lot of skills relating to administration, event planning, interacting with lots of interesting clients from different places and even got to help with the Buffer Fringe Festival which was definitely a highlight! All in all I was overwhelmed with the kindness of everyone at Home for Cooperation and I fell in love with the Cypriot culture, way of life and of course - the food! I would highly recommend spending time here with lovely people and helping towards making a difference for the better in this special place."

"My seven-month internship at the Home for Cooperation has been incredibly valuable. The year 2024 was full of significant milestones for Cyprus: 20 years since joining the EU, 60 years of UN presence on the island, and 50 years since the division. Events that highlight complex issues with different meanings across the island. I have watched H4C navigate these occasions thoughtfully, making statements on sensitive issues, ensuring inclusivity and openness, and acting as a bridge builder. My experience with H4C deepened my understanding of the important role NGOs play in peacebuilding and reconciliation and provided insights that were both instructive and hopeful. Despite the challenging political climate, witnessing people from across the divide working and learning together at H4C, has been truly inspiring. I have always felt like a valued part of the team and have been overwhelmed by the team's kindness. I would recommend the Home for Cooperation to anyone visiting Nicosia, whether it's for a drink, a chat, or simply to see this very special place in the buffer zone."

I have been warmly received since day one and have met a lot of inspiring people that helped me realize significant opportunities about my own future. I was fortunate to work with a team that was always ready to answer my questions and provide guidance. Their support and encouragement were invaluable, and I learned so much from their expertise and willingness to share their knowledge. It has been greatly valuable to experience the workings of an NGO from the inside, to learn about and contribute to peacebuilding efforts from within the buffer zone, and to have the opportunity to learn from such skilled and capable colleagues. From the planning of low and high profile events, to communicating the vision and mission of the Home; everything was professionally executed with an eye for detail. Overall, this internship has been an unforgettable journey of personal and professional growth. I am grateful to Home for Cooperation for providing me with this opportunity and to everyone who made my time here so memorable.

These four months at Home for Cooperation were a unique experience. Being based in the UN Buffer Zone of Nicosia, right at the Ledra Palace crossing point, gave me the chance to meet people from incredibly diverse backgrounds—locals and internationals alike. It allowed me to see firsthand the challenges that the island’s divide still brings, and how grassroots efforts can help bridge them. It was a valuable opportunity to engage with meaningful NGO work in a truly one-of-a-kind setting—not to mention falling in love with Cypriot culture, cuisine, and warm hospitality.