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PwC Foundation Expands Its Social Impact Across Cyprus With Focus On Education, Entrepreneurship And Community Support

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 22, 2026

The PwC Foundation broadened its contribution to education, entrepreneurship and community support during the 2026 financial year, with PwC Cyprus advancing a series of initiatives designed to create measurable social impact across the island.

Guided by PwC’s broader purpose of building trust in society and addressing long-term challenges, the foundation concentrated its efforts on three strategic pillars: education and culture, youth entrepreneurship, and community support through its Offering Our Hearts & Minds programme.

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Education And Skills Remain A Core Priority

Education remained one of the foundation’s main areas of focus throughout FY26.

Fourteen scholarships were awarded to high-performing students at the University of Cyprus and the Cyprus University of Technology, with both academic achievement and financial need taken into account. PwC Cyprus also continued to support initiatives, including Girls in STEAM and TechWeCan, helping students develop science, technology, and digital skills.

Financial literacy formed another key part of the programme. During Global Money Week, PwC volunteers visited 10 public schools, delivering financial education sessions to 28 classrooms and nearly 300 primary, secondary and lyceum students.

Additional initiatives included a partnership with the Cyprus Institute of Marketing, the Beyond the Workforce of Today programme and continued support for the Pharos Arts Foundation.

Backing The Next Generation Of Entrepreneurs

Youth entrepreneurship remained another major focus, with the PwC Foundation continuing its strategic partnerships with Junior Achievement Cyprus, the University of Cyprus and Cyprus Seeds.

Students gained hands-on business experience through the Company Programme, while the Our Community initiative introduced younger participants to civic engagement and community projects.

Among the year’s highlights, HerShield from St Mary’s School in Limassol represented Cyprus at the JA Europe competition in Riga, finishing third in the JA Europe Company of the Year 2026 category among teams from more than 40 countries.

Support also included the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) at the University of Cyprus and the launch of the University of Cyprus C4E Summer Academy. PwC Cyprus is also set to launch the Scale Up 3 programme in September 2026 to support emerging startups.

Community Support Continues To Extend The Foundation’s Reach

Community engagement remained an important part of the foundation’s activities.

Employees participated in blood donation campaigns and supported the Movember movement, while more than 350 volunteers took part in 13 Volunteer Days activities across Cyprus. PwC also continued providing pro bono services and financial support to non-profit organisations.

Leadership Frames Impact As A Long-Term Commitment

PwC Cyprus Chief Executive Andreas Yiasemides said the foundation’s work reflects the company’s long-term commitment to supporting education, entrepreneurship and local communities.

“At PwC, we believe that meaningful change is achieved through collective action, long-term commitment and active participation,” Yiasemides said, adding that the company will continue investing in initiatives that create opportunities for people to thrive and deliver lasting value for future generations.

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Cyprus Ranks Among The EU’s Fastest-Growing Populations In 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 22, 2026

Cyprus Emerges As A Demographic Outlier In Europe

Cyprus recorded one of the fastest-growing populations in the European Union in 2025, according to the latest Eurostat data. With population growth of 13.7 per 1,000 inhabitants, the island ranked second among the bloc’s 27 member states, behind only Malta (24.1) and ahead of Luxembourg (13.1).

The figures set Cyprus apart at a time when much of Europe is facing ageing populations, declining birth rates and mounting labour shortages.

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A Different Demographic Story

Population growth across the EU remained modest in 2025, increasing by just 1.6 per 1,000 people. The picture, however, was far from uniform. Sixteen member states recorded population gains, while eleven experienced declines.

Malta, Cyprus and Luxembourg posted the strongest growth rates, while Latvia (-8.3), Estonia (-6.8) and Hungary (-5.4) recorded the steepest population losses.

As of January 1, 2026, Cyprus had a population of 996,600. While one of the EU’s smallest member states, it continues to outperform many larger economies on demographic growth.

Growth Driven By Births And Migration

Cyprus stands out because its population is expanding through both natural increase and migration, a combination that has become increasingly uncommon across Europe.

The country was one of only six EU member states where births exceeded deaths in 2025, joining Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta and Sweden. Across the EU as a whole, the opposite was true: 4.81 million deaths were recorded against 3.46 million births, leaving the bloc with a natural population decline of roughly 1.35 million people.

Migration more than compensated for that shortfall. Net migration added around 2.05 million people across the EU in 2025, reinforcing its role as the bloc’s primary source of population growth.

Cyprus ranked among the strongest performers here as well. Net migration reached 11.3 people per 1,000 inhabitants, trailing only Malta (23.9) and Spain (11.8).

Why The Numbers Matter

Demographic trends increasingly shape economic performance. Population growth influences labour supply, consumer demand and the long-term sustainability of pension systems and public finances.

For most European countries, migration has become essential to offset declining birth rates. Cyprus is unusual because it combines strong inward migration with positive natural population growth, giving it a demographic profile that few EU members currently share.

Whether that advantage translates into stronger long-term economic performance will depend on how effectively the country integrates new residents, expands its workforce and converts population growth into higher productivity.

As Europe searches for ways to sustain growth despite an ageing population, Cyprus offers an early example of how demographic resilience can become an economic advantage.