Cyprus Research And Innovation Initiatives: New RIF Calls For Proof Of Concept And Enterprise Research

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

April 21, 2026

New Research Initiatives Fuel Innovation In Cyprus

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) announced two funding opportunities from the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), aimed at strengthening enterprise-driven innovation and expanding the industrial application of technology across Cyprus.

Empowering Enterprise Innovation Through Proof Of Concept

The Proof Of Concept programme focuses on evaluating the practical application of emerging technologies and specialised expertise. It enables businesses to test, validate, and refine solutions before moving toward full-scale implementation. This approach supports early-stage innovation while reducing risks associated with commercialisation.

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Driving Business-Led Research And Development

The Research In Enterprises programme is designed to accelerate business-led research and development. Companies are encouraged to develop new products, services, and production methods or significantly upgrade existing ones. Such initiatives aim to enhance competitiveness and support long-term growth across key sectors of the economy.

Innovative Digital Collaboration Tools

As part of broader efforts to strengthen collaboration, RIF introduced MatchMe, a digital platform that connects businesses with research institutions. The tool facilitates partner discovery and supports cross-sector cooperation. This initiative reflects a shift toward a more integrated innovation ecosystem.

Engagement Through Information And Networking

To support participation, Keve, in collaboration with RIF and the Enterprise Europe Network, will host an information event on April 28, 2026, at 15:00 at the Keve building. The session will provide details on funding schemes and collaboration opportunities, offering practical guidance for organisations involved in research and innovation.

Registration And Future Prospects

Interested participants can register for the event by April 24, 2026. The initiatives are expected to strengthen links between business and research communities while supporting the development of commercially viable innovation in Cyprus.

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 24, 2026

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

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Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.

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