Digital Renaissance: Empowering Cyprus’ Rural Women for a New Era

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 26, 2025

Cyprus is embarking on a bold digital transformation, with government leaders spearheading initiatives to empower rural women through education and innovation. A comprehensive survey, set for completion by the end of March, will soon inform the final design of digital education programs, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, and the Office of the Commissioner for Gender Equality.

Rural women in Cyprus hold a wealth of unique skills and local knowledge that can drive community growth and foster a fairer, more inclusive society. In a recent press conference on February 25, Minister Maria Panayiotou underscored the government’s commitment to the countryside, announcing the launch of the National Strategy for Gender Equality initiative, “Digital Education Programs for Rural Women.” Speaking through senior officer Marina Michaelidou Kadi, Panayiotou highlighted that supporting the rural sector and nurturing female entrepreneurship in the primary industries is a top priority.

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Already, interactive workshops are underway in rural communities, equipping women with the tools and guidance they need to develop successful business initiatives. These sessions not only bolster entrepreneurial skills but also inject new momentum into local economies, fueling progress and prosperity for rural families. A key element of this drive is the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027, which earmarks €454 million in subsidies to reinforce these efforts.

Commissioner for Gender Equality, Josie Christodoulou, emphasized that the core goal of this initiative is to empower rural women with the digital literacy and business acumen necessary to thrive in today’s tech-driven landscape. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Nicodemos Damianou described the program as a linchpin in addressing three critical government priorities: fostering an inclusive digital transition, bolstering rural development, and advancing gender equality across all socio-economic sectors.

Damianou also tackled the persistent digital divide, noting two pivotal challenges: connectivity and digital skills. “Cyprus is the first country in Europe to achieve 100% 5G population coverage,” he said, adding that a vital project in partnership with Cyta is set to expand fixed fiber-optic networks to every inhabited area by early 2026. To bridge the gap in digital skills, the government has allocated €24 million under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, ensuring that all citizens can participate in and benefit from this digital revolution.

As Cyprus charts this ambitious course, these initiatives promise not only to transform the lives of rural women but also to lay the foundation for a more dynamic and equitable future across the island.

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Central Bank Of Cyprus Balance Sheet Reflects Strong Eurosystem Position

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 17, 2026

Overview Of Financial Stability

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) has released its latest balance sheet, reaffirming its steadfast role within the Eurosystem. The balance sheet, featuring total assets and liabilities of €29.545 billion, underscores the institution’s stable financial posture at the close of January 2026.

Asset Allocation And Strategic Holdings

Governor Christodoulos Patsalides issued the balance sheet, which details the CBC’s asset composition under the Eurosystem framework. Notably, the bank’s gold and gold receivables amounted to €1.635 billion, providing a significant hedge and stability to its balance sheet. Additional asset categories include claims on non-euro area residents denominated in foreign currency at €1.099 billion, while claims on euro area residents in both foreign and domestic currency add further depth to its portfolio.

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The most substantial asset category, intra-Eurosystem claims, reached €19.438 billion, an indication of the CBC’s deep integration with its European counterparts. Furthermore, euro-denominated securities held by euro area residents contributed €6.587 billion. Despite a marked emphasis on these areas, lending to euro area credit institutions in monetary policy operations recorded no activity during the period.

Liability Structure And Monetary Policy Implications

On the liabilities side, banknotes in circulation contributed €3.218 billion. Liabilities to euro area credit institutions associated with monetary policy operations were notably the largest single category, totaling €17.636 billion. Supplementary liabilities included those to other euro area residents, which aggregated to €4.989 billion, with government liabilities playing a predominant role at €4.754 billion.

Other liability items, such as claims related to special drawing rights allocated by the International Monetary Fund at €494.193 million, and provisions of €596.571 million, further articulate the CBC’s exposure. Revaluation accounts stood at €1.643 billion, and overall capital and reserves were confirmed at €333.822 million, completing the picture of a well-capitalized institution.

Conclusive Insights And Strategic Alignment

The detailed breakdown illustrates the CBC’s sizeable intra-Eurosystem exposures, reinforcing its central role within Europe’s monetary landscape. With an asset-liability balance maintained at €29.545 billion, the CBC’s financial position remains robust, indicating a commitment to structural stability and strategic risk management.

This fiscal disclosure not only provides transparency into the CBC’s operations but also serves as a benchmark for comparative analysis among other central banks within the Eurosystem, highlighting the intricate balance between asset liquidity, regulatory oversight, and monetary policy imperatives.

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