Former Bank Of Cyprus Shareholders Demand Inclusion In 2025 Solidarity Fund Budget

Former BoC Shareholders Call For Equal Treatment

The association representing former Bank of Cyprus shareholders has formally appealed to the House of Representatives to include them in the 2025 national solidarity fund budget. In a strongly worded letter addressed to both parliament and the Finance Ministry, the group underscored its disappointment at being excluded from the current draft budget, despite their historical grievances dating back to the 2013 banking crisis.

Legislative Scrutiny And Budgetary Framework

As legislators prepare to vote on the proposed legislation authorizing compensation for depositors and bondholders affected by the 2013 crisis, the association argues that over 93,000 ‘bailed-in’ former shareholders deserve equal recognition under the national solidarity fund law. The bill, titled ‘The Budget Law Of The National Solidarity Fund For 2025’, proposes a comprehensive budget of €100,005,010 for the coming year, even as the Finance Ministry projects a significant shortfall, with revenues capped at €50,000,020 sourced entirely from a government grant.

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Compensation Scheme Details And Administrative Measures

The fund, originally established to redress losses incurred during the resolution measures for Laiki Bank and the Bank of Cyprus, is set to enact a tailored compensation scheme for 2025. This new initiative, approved by the Council of Ministers, specifies eligibility criteria, compensation levels, and a clear payment process. Key administrative concerns—including the reactivation of the online application portal for late applicants and precise compensation calculations based on uninsured losses—remain central to ongoing deliberations.

Call For Immediate Legislative Action

In its letter, the association urged lawmakers to either amend the current budget or delay its passage until the Finance Ministry revisits the provision for former BoC shareholders. The group insists that honoring the laws passed by the House is essential, thereby ensuring that all affected parties, including Laiki depositors and bank bondholders, are treated equitably within the national solidarity fund.

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Cyprus Ranks Among EU Leaders In Tertiary-Educated ICT Workforce

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 25, 2026

High Educational Attainment Sets Cyprus Apart

Recent data from Eurostat showed that Cyprus is expected to rank among the leading European countries for tertiary-educated ICT professionals in 2025. According to the figures, 96.4% of ICT professionals in Cyprus are projected to hold tertiary education qualifications, placing the country among the highest-ranked members of the European Union.

Gender Disparity Remains A Critical Challenge

Despite the high level of educational attainment, the ICT workforce in Cyprus continues to show a significant gender imbalance. Men are projected to account for 85.1% of ICT employees in 2025, while women are expected to represent 14.9% of the sector. In 2024, the split stood at 70.9% for men and 29.1% for women. The figures highlighted a widening gender gap within the country’s ICT workforce.

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European Union Trends And Comparative Analysis

Across the European Union, the number of ICT professionals is projected to increase to 3.4 million in 2025 from 3.2 million in 2024, representing annual growth of 5.1%. Men are expected to account for 83.4% of ICT employment across the bloc, equivalent to approximately 2.8 million workers, while women are projected to represent 16.6%.

National Performance Variability In Gender Representation

Countries within the EU show a varied landscape: the highest percentages of male ICT professionals are reported in the Czech Republic (92.9%), Slovenia (89.1%), Latvia (89.0%), Lithuania (88.9%), and Slovakia (88.4%). On the contrary, nations such as Denmark (30.0%), Sweden (29.8%), Romania (28.6%), Bulgaria (25.6%), and Croatia (25.2%) lead in female participation in the ICT arena.

Educational Background Across The European ICT Sector

Eurostat data also showed that most ICT professionals across the EU hold tertiary education qualifications. By 2025, 74.8% of ICT workers in the bloc are projected to have university-level education, while 25.2% are expected to hold secondary or post-secondary qualifications. Denmark recorded the highest share of tertiary-educated ICT professionals at 97.7%, followed by France at 96.6% and Cyprus at 96.4%. Other countries with high levels of tertiary-educated ICT workers included Ireland at 92.3%, Bulgaria at 91.1%, and Croatia at 90.9%. At the lower end of the ranking, Italy recorded 69.2%, while Portugal stood at 58.8%.

Conclusion

The data perfectly encapsulates the dual narrative in the ICT sector: while countries like Cyprus and Denmark achieve remarkable educational standards among ICT workers, persistent gender disparities remind us that diversity remains an ongoing challenge. As the ICT landscape continues to evolve, strategic policy formation and corporate governance will be pivotal in balancing excellence with inclusivity.

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