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Junior Achievement Cyprus Launches Applications for Student Entrepreneurship Programmes

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 29, 2024

Junior Achievement Cyprus (JA Cyprus), a prominent non-profit organisation that promotes entrepreneurship among young people, has announced the opening of applications for its flagship entrepreneurship programmes for the academic year 2024-2025. Aimed at fostering business acumen, innovation, and leadership skills among students, these initiatives offer invaluable hands-on experience in building and managing a business from the ground up.

The organisation’s two primary programmes—the “Company Programme” and the “StartUp Programme”—are designed to equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in the competitive global economy. Both initiatives aim to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical business application, encouraging students to think creatively and act decisively in real-world scenarios. The programmes are open to students from public and private secondary schools, as well as universities across Cyprus.

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Fostering Entrepreneurship from a Young Age

The “Company Programme” targets secondary school students, providing them with the opportunity to form a real company and develop their own products or services. This programme has gained international recognition, having been implemented across over 40 countries. Students are mentored by experienced business leaders and educators, who guide them through the complexities of entrepreneurship, from ideation to execution. Participants not only learn how to develop a business plan but also how to pitch their ideas to potential investors, handle financials, and navigate the competitive market.

The “StartUp Programme,” on the other hand, is tailored to university students and young professionals. This initiative allows participants to create their own startups, offering a platform to explore innovative solutions to real-world problems. Through this programme, aspiring entrepreneurs receive mentorship, access to business networks, and an opportunity to pitch their projects to investors at both local and international events.

The programmes culminate in local competitions, where teams present their business ideas to a panel of judges composed of industry professionals. Successful teams have the opportunity to compete at the European level, representing Cyprus in the Junior Achievement Europe Competitions. These events not only provide international exposure but also offer students the chance to expand their business networks, gain feedback from experts, and potentially secure funding for their ventures.

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Industry Uproar Over Reduction in Electric Vehicle Subsidies

by News Editor

April 26, 2025

The recent move by the government to curtail subsidies for electric vehicles has stirred significant discontent among car importers in Cyprus. The Department of Road Transport (DRT) has slashed available grants under the Electric Vehicle Promotion Scheme as of April 23, leading to a rapid depletion of the subsidy pool and leaving many potential applicants disappointed.

Importers’ Concerns

According to the Cyprus Motor Vehicle Importers Association (CMVIA), the lack of transparency and failure to engage stakeholders prior to the decision have eroded trust in the government’s commitments. Importers now find themselves facing a precarious situation, with substantial stocks of electric vehicles and mounting promotional expenditures.

Public Interest and EU Compliance

Although the scheme aimed to support the transition to zero-emission transport until 2025, the DRT states that the curtailing of funds was necessary to comply with European funding terms, which warned against delays in vehicle deliveries. This decision has fueled market uncertainty despite the application portal experiencing dynamic changes.

Industry’s Ongoing Demand

The CMVIA refutes any claims suggesting waning interest in electric vehicles, underscoring the rapid exhaustion of available grants as proof of substantial demand. They highlight the importance of meeting Cyprus’s green transition targets, including putting 80,000 electric vehicles on roads by 2030.

While the total budget for subsidies saw an increase to €36.5 million in 2023, thanks to additional funding, ongoing difficulties in timely vehicle distribution have led to premature closures of applications. In response, CMVIA has called for urgent dialogue with the Minister of Transport to reassess the decision, fearing that it could endanger the future of e-mobility in Cyprus.