Cyprus Approves €25.5 Million Wildfire Prevention Plan

by News Editor

August 20, 2026

Cyprus will invest €25.5 million over the next three years in technology and infrastructure aimed at improving wildfire detection and response. The Cabinet’s decision brings the Forestry Department, Fire Service, National Guard and Civil Defence under a shared operational framework.

Expanding Fire Detection

A second phase of the project will add 31 electro-optical sensor systems across Cyprus: 16 for forest areas and 15 for industrial zones and critical infrastructure.

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Two tethered surveillance balloons equipped with automatic fire-detection sensors will also be introduced, alongside additional vehicles supporting drone and balloon operations.

New Communications And Command Systems

Expansion of the MANET wireless network will provide continuous communications between the four agencies. New IT infrastructure, three mobile C2 command centres for the Forestry Department and a C3 crisis-management vehicle for Civil Defence are also part of the plan.

Fire-spread simulation software and daily wildfire risk maps will be introduced, while the Forestry Department’s operations centre will receive an upgrade.

More Firefighting Equipment

The Fire Service will receive 17 new firefighting vehicles and two hydraulic telescopic platforms for firefighting and rescue operations.

Additional offices, garage and storage facilities are planned for the Forestry Department, along with 33 new civil service positions to support the expanded system.

€25.5 Million Investment

Total spending is set at €25,513,593, including €13.6 million for the Fire Service, €8.54 million for the Forestry Department, €2 million for Civil Defence and €1.36 million for the National Guard.

A first phase, which introduced the ARGOS crisis-management system, drones, sensors and the initial MANET network, has already been completed. Funding for 2026 will come from existing budgets, while costs from 2027 onward will be incorporated into future spending plans.

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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%.

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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.

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