EIB Doubles Defence Financing, Expands Eligible Projects While Excluding Weapons

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced significant changes to its financing approach for defence projects, including the removal of existing limits on funding and an expanded scope of eligible projects. However, the EIB will still maintain a ban on financing weapons and ammunition.

Ahead of a key defence summit this Thursday, Nadia Calvino, EIB President, outlined plans to EU leaders in a letter, revealing that the bank’s measures are part of the European Union’s broader initiative to enhance defence financing in response to growing security concerns, particularly in light of the ongoing threat from Russia.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

As part of the new strategy, the EIB plans to propose a revision to its eligibility criteria during its March Board of Directors meeting. The adjustments aim to better define excluded activities, keeping them as minimal and precise as possible. Additionally, the bank is set to revise its operational framework to establish an annual financial and capital allocation for defence, ensuring it meets the increasing demands of the EU’s security needs while maintaining the bank’s strong financial position and ability to support other strategic priorities.

The EIB’s balance sheet totals €600 billion, and previously, the bank had targeted doubling its financing for defence projects to €2 billion by 2025, with an upper limit of €8 billion by 2027. With this new policy, the EIB will be able to fund large-scale strategic defence projects that include land border protection, military mobility, infrastructure protection, de-mining, cybersecurity, drones, and other critical technologies.

The change signals a shift in the EIB’s core public policy objectives, placing defence and security on par with other priorities like cohesion and sustainability. The new approach will allow financing for projects such as barracks, radars, helicopters, military facilities, and other infrastructure with no civilian use. However, weapons and ammunition will still be off-limits for EIB funding.

The shift in policy is also seen as a signal to investors and financial institutions, emphasizing that security and defence are now considered essential public goods. This stance contrasts with the bank’s exclusion of activities like gambling, tobacco, or pornography, sending a clear message that EU governments are prioritizing investment in national and regional security.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus’ Strong Youth Employment Rate Still Does Not Guarantee Early Independence

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 16, 2026

Young people in Cyprus have a relatively high employment rate, but they leave the parental home later than the EU average, according to Eurostat data.

Cypriots left home at an average age of 27 in 2025, compared with 26.3 years across the EU. At the same time, 72.3% of people aged 20 to 29 in Cyprus were employed, well above the EU average of 65.5%.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Strong Employment Does Not Mean Early Independence

Only nine countries recorded higher youth employment rates than Cyprus. Iceland led at 85.3%, followed by the Netherlands at 84%, Malta at 82.1%, Switzerland at 78.3% and Germany at 77%.

Norway recorded 76.5%, Ireland 76.1%, Denmark 74.8% and Austria 74.6%. Eurostat said countries where young people leave home earlier generally tend to have higher youth employment rates.

Southern Europe Sees Later Moves

Finland had the lowest average age for leaving the parental home at 21.4 years, followed by Denmark at 21.8 and Estonia and Lithuania at 22.7. Croatia recorded the highest average at 31.5 years, followed by Greece and Slovakia at 30.9. Spain and Italy both stood at 30.2 years.

Across the EU, the average has remained close to 26 since 2002, rising only slightly from 26.2 years in 2024 to 26.3 years in 2025.

Cyprus Labour Market Is Cooling

The figures come as Cyprus’ labor market shows some signs of easing, although demand for workers remains relatively strong by European standards.

Separate Eurostat data showed Cyprus had the EU’s largest annual decline in its job vacancy rate in the second quarter of 2026. The rate fell to 2.6% from 3.3% a year earlier, but remained above the EU average of 2.0% and the euro area average of 2.1%.

Cost Of Living Remains A Factor

Housing and other living costs can also affect how quickly young workers establish independent households. Eurostat reported that Cyprus’ household consumption price level was 89.2% of the EU average in 2025.

A relatively lower overall price level does not eliminate affordability pressures for people on modest incomes. For younger workers, the issue can be whether wages are sufficient to cover rent, utilities, food and other basic expenses.

Cyprus therefore combines relatively high youth employment with a later transition to independent living, suggesting that access to work and the ability to afford a separate household do not always move together.

Breaking news