Stelios Foundation Pledges Up To €260,000 For Families Of Cyprus Ferry Disaster Victims

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 1, 2026

The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation has announced it will provide up to €260,000 in direct financial support to the families of those killed in the ferry sinking off Cyprus’s northern coast, in a move described as a small but immediate gesture of solidarity.

Immediate Aid For Grieving Families

Eight people have been confirmed dead following the August 30 disaster, while 18 others remain missing. In a statement issued on Monday, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder and president of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and creator of the easy family of brands, offered his “most sincere condolences” to the families and loved ones of the victims.

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He also extended “thoughts and prayers” to the relatives of those still reported missing.

€10,000 Per Confirmed Victim

As part of what the foundation called “a small but tangible gesture of support and solidarity,” each next of kin of a person confirmed dead will receive a €10,000 cash donation, provided the application is made within one month of the incident.

If all 26 people are ultimately confirmed dead within that period, the total assistance could reach €260,000.

The foundation said the funding is intended “to provide immediate financial relief” to families facing the aftermath of the tragedy.

Who Can Apply

The donation will be paid by bank transfer to the closest living relative of each victim, up to and including the second degree of kinship. Applicants must submit a written request proving their relationship to the deceased, along with contact details and bank account information, including the IBAN.

The foundation has identified the order of priority for the closest living relative as the spouse, father, mother, oldest adult child and oldest brother or sister.

Application details will be published on the foundation’s website: Stelios Philanthropic Foundation.

A Wider Record Of Philanthropy

The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation is a non-profit organisation supporting charitable activity across six countries where Sir Stelios and his family have lived and worked: Cyprus, Greece, the UK, Ireland, Monaco and France.

In Cyprus, its initiatives include the Bi-Communal Business Cooperation Awards and the Youth Entrepreneurship Awards, both of which offer financial grants to winners. The foundation also runs Food from the Heart, which provides food to thousands of people facing economic hardship, and supports vulnerable groups, disaster relief efforts, charitable organisations and university students through scholarships.

This is not the first time the foundation has stepped in after a national tragedy. It has previously provided financial assistance to the families of victims in Cyprus and Greece, including the 2019 murders committed by serial killer Nicos Metaxas in Cyprus, the 2018 Mati wildfires outside Athens and the Tempi train collision in Greece.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

NERDs Replace FIRE As Young Workers Lose Confidence In Retirement

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 4, 2026

The FIRE movement promised younger workers a path to financial independence and early retirement. Now, a different group is emerging in the UK: NERDs, or the “Never Ever Retiring Demographic.”

Growing pessimism among Gen Z and millennials is driving the shift, with many questioning whether retirement will ever be financially achievable. Some are responding by reducing or abandoning pension contributions altogether.

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Young Workers Are Losing Confidence In Retirement

Research from People’s Pension, a major UK workplace pension provider, found that 47% of Gen Z respondents aged 18 to 27 do not engage with their pension. Another 12%, equivalent to about 2.2 million young people, have stopped saving for retirement because they expect to work indefinitely.

Wider financial pressures are contributing to that outlook. High living costs have pushed milestones such as homeownership, marriage, having children and retirement further away for many younger workers, while inflation, layoffs and stagnant wages have added to uncertainty.

Pension Providers Face A Communication Gap

Financial pressure is only part of the problem. Young workers also say pension providers are failing to explain long-term saving in ways that feel relevant to them.

About 36% of respondents said providers do not explain retirement saving effectively. Among them, 27% said companies appear more focused on selling products than educating customers, while 16% cited complicated language and jargon.

A clear generational difference emerges in the responses. Some 29% of Gen Z respondents said providers fail to explain why pension saving matters, compared with 13% of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. Similarly, 17% of Gen Z said providers do not use channels they engage with, versus 4% among older generations.

Clearer information could influence behavior. About 70% of Gen Z respondents said they would have started saving earlier if they had known that beginning in their 20s could potentially double their retirement pot compared with starting in their 30s. Another 63% said learning about tax relief and employer contributions motivated them to save.

“In a world where financial doom dominates pension conversations, young savers are tuning out,” said Kirsty Ross, proposition director at People’s Pension. “Our research shows they are not disengaged because they don’t care, they are disengaged because the messages aren’t working.”

Young Savers Want Simpler Tools

Progress bars and goal trackers were among the most popular tools respondents said could make pensions more relevant, cited by 31%. Another 26% wanted reassurance that they could start with small amounts, while 23% wanted examples of what people their age are doing.

Clear, bite-sized steps were cited by 22%, while 19% said light-hearted and relatable stories could make pensions more accessible.

People’s Pension has responded with Pension Drop, a campaign using social media influencers, live events and lifestyle personalities to encourage conversations about retirement saving.

“Looking back, I really wish I’d started earlier,” said Iain Stirling, comedian, TV presenter and Pension Drop ambassador. He said contributions made in someone’s 20s or 30s can make a significant difference later, while employer contributions and tax relief can increase the value of smaller payments.

Small Changes Can Improve Long-Term Saving

Stirling urged younger workers to check their pension provider, establish whether they have multiple pension pots and make sure they are contributing enough to receive the full employer match.

He also recommended increasing contributions after a pay rise or bonus, allowing workers to raise long-term savings without making a large immediate change to their spending.

For younger workers facing high living costs and uncertain career prospects, pension saving remains a difficult sell. Clearer information about employer contributions, tax relief and the long-term effect of starting early could help make retirement planning more tangible.

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