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1. Policy Framework

2. Formal learning

3. Non-formal and informal learning

4. Educators support in entrepreneurship education

Policy Framework

There is no central level strategy for the development of entrepreneurship competence and of an entrepreneurial mind-set among young people in Cyprus. 

However, the first pillar of the ‘National Youth Strategy 2017-2022’ is 'Employment and Entrepreneurship', with the two main goals be the development, support and promotion of entrepreneurship of young people, as well as enhancing the employability of young people and their integration into the labour market, while safeguarding their labour rights. More information for the Strategy can be found in section 1.3 National youth strategy. Similarly, the upcoming ‘National Youth Strategy 2030’ (Εθνική Στρατηγική για τη Νεολαία 2030- Προσχέδιο), expected to be adopted in 2026, continues to set out strategic goals to strengthen youth employment and empowering youth entrepreneurship. Among its priorities is the improvement of youth employment conditions, including the quality and accessibility of internships and practical training opportunities. The strategy also focuses on supporting young people in developing entrepreneurial skills through targeted training programmes, as well as improving access to information, guidance, and funding opportunities that can help them launch and sustain their own initiatives.

Also, a ‘National Policy Statement for the Enhancement of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Cyprus’ (Πολιτική Δήλωση- Ενισχύοντας το Επιχειρηματικό Οικοσύστημα στην Κύπρο) has been formulated, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, and supported by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation & Digital Policy (Υφυπουργείο Έρευνας, Καινοτομίας και Ψηφιακής Πολιτικής) Council of Ministers on the 14th of December 2015. This policy document also focuses specifically on social cohesion and on the employment of people experiencing difficulties in accessing the labour market. The Policy Statement provides for targeted actions to be promoted under five Priority Axes:

• Cultivating the entrepreneurial culture.

• Improving the business environment.

• Enhancing the entrepreneurial innovation.

• Facilitating access to finance.

• Improving access to markets.

This policy statement establishes a comprehensive policy framework and a targeted action plan for the integrated development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country. The main purpose is the creation of an entrepreneurial ecosystem that will contribute to the country’s economic growth, by providing the proper conditions for the successful development of business initiatives, ensuring the creation of added value for the whole economy. The Policy Statement is the result of an extensive consultation with all the key stakeholders of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cyprus.

In addition, the ‘Research & Innovation Strategy Framework (2024-2026)’ (Στρατηγική Έρευνας και Καινοτομίας 2024-2026) has set new standards for young researchers and innovators. Some of the Strategy’s main aims are focused on: 

• Establishing effective cooperation between industry and academia, creating the necessary conditions for the development of curricula aligned with the needs of the industry, providing students and post-doctoral researchers with practical skills relevant to the sector, offering training courses for training courses to facilitate skills upgrading and retraining, ensuring the seamless transition of graduates into the workforce.

• Developing societal values, perception and culture on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. 

• Cultivating innovation entrepreneurial culture between graduates and new scientists.

Special reference has to be made also on the ‘National Digital Strategy (2020-2025)’. The Strategy is grounded in a clear vision for change that is based on the following statement: “Cyprus to become a fit-for-the-future society and knowledge-based economy enabled by digital and emerging technologies that will drive sustainable economic growth, social prosperity and international competitiveness”. On a lower level, one of the main initiatives encompassed by the Strategy is the design of reskilling and upskilling interventions aimed at the private sector workforce but also aimed at unemployed persons, so as to increase their competitive edge in the labour market.

Formal learning

Based on the Eurydice study on ‘Entrepreneurship Education at school in Europe’ published in 2025, entrepreneurship education has been integrated in most education systems. In Cyprus,  the learning in secondary education takes place within subjects that ‘entrepreneurship’ is not included in the name of the subject, like ‘Design and Technology’. However, concepts related to the field are explored and analysed.

In addition, to support the acquisition of experiential learning skills through the participation of students of all ages in competitions and/or entrepreneurship programs, the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth (MΕSY) in February 2023, signed a cooperation agreement with the non-profit organisation Junior Achievement (JA) Cyprus (Annual Report 2024).

Specifically, in secondary schools (Lyceum), it is implemented on a voluntary basis the “JA Company Programme” which lasts one academic year and provides an entrepreneurial learning experience for young people aged 15 to 18. The programme aims to nurture a new generation of entrepreneurial, innovative and civic-minded talents for Cyprus. It is the largest youth entrepreneurship programme on the island. Participants learn how to take a business idea from concept to reality and have hands-on experience of running a real business, from team formation, capital raising, business plan development, product development, marketing and sales to liquidating the company. According to the ‘Annual Report 2024/2025’ of the JA Cyprus (Ετήσια Έκθεση 2024/2025), in 2025, more than 470 students participated in the 12^th Trade Fair where they presented the results of their work. 

In Higher Education, the “JA Startup” gives post-secondary students (from 18-30 years old) the opportunity to experience the building of their own start-up company, offering them an insight into how their talents could be used to create a business for themselves with the cooperation of their fellow students, their professors and business volunteers who act as mentors.

Also, in line with the ‘Inclusive Entrepreneurship Policies: Country Assessment Notes, Cyprus, 2024-2025’, Universities have also strengthened their curricula from an entrepreneurial perspective, offering a wider range of degrees related to entrepreneurship, certifications, and concentrations. 

Several initiatives, such as the Cyprus Entrepreneurship Competition (CyEC) and the Student Innovators (SINN) also support youth entrepreneurship in formal education settings. 

CyEC ran by the Centre for Entrepreneurship (C4E) of the University of Cyprus aims to cultivate a thriving and innovative startup ecosystem and sustainable business growth in Cyprus. Participants, including students, young researchers, academics, administrative staff and graduates are offered opportunities to refine their ideas, build valuable networks, and showcase their ventures. 

The Student Innovators (SINN) is the University of Cyprus student entrepreneurship and innovation competition which is organised annually by the C4E in collaboration with the Department of Business and Public Administration. This competition focuses on early-stage innovative business ideas, where students present creative ideas and innovative solutions in a five-minute pitch.

Non-formal and informal learning

An innovative programme of the Youth Board of Cyprus (YBC) introducing and fostering a “making” culture among young people in Cyprus through non-formal education, is the Youth Makerspace Larnaka. The Youth Makerspace is a concept and venue of innovation, built upon the example of similar successful venues that operate in various cities around the world, following the international standards of Makerspaces that are developed by academic institutions and communities. It offers young people the opportunity to have access to high-end technological equipment that will enable them to develop their business ideas and put them in practice. Since its establishment in 2018, more than 4500 students have visited the space.

In 2019, YBC also introduced the mobile unit of Makerspace. The mobile unit aims to reach young people who live in rural areas, away from urban centres, and who, therefore, do not have access to programs and technologies such as Youth Makerspace. It is specially designed for this purpose and houses high-tech technological equipment. According to the website, more than 8750 students have met the Mobile Makerspace.

Currently, there are not any policies regulating the recognition and validation of entrepreneurial learning in non-formal and informal learning environments.

Educators support in entrepreneurship education

According to the ‘National Lifelong Learning Strategy 2021-2027’ entrepreneurial skills among educators are essential. Thus, as stated in the ‘Inclusive Entrepreneurship Policies: Country Assessment Notes, Cyprus, 2024/2025’, the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute (CPI) (Παιδαγωγικό Ινστιτούτο Κύπρου) provides entrepreneurship training for educators in order to enhance their skills and knowledge in the field.  Furthermore, aligned with the European Entrepreneurship Competence Framework (EntreComp), the CPI implements programmes for promoting entrepreneurship in education (Επιχειρηματικότητα στην Εκπαίδευση) since 2016. 

Indicative training actions include collaboration with external stakeholders to deliver seminars on entrepreneurship, such as the:

• Experiential seminar series “Skills Clubs- 21st Century Skills for Youth” for lower secondary school teachers, focusing on leadership, active listening and communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and social entrepreneurship and

• Online seminars on the “Financial Literacy Framework in Cyprus” for primary, secondary, and technical education teachers, aiming to promote financial education and its link to active citizenship through topics such as social entrepreneurship, responsibility, goal setting, budgeting, saving, and ethical consumption.

Also, as recorded in the ‘Annual Report 2024’ of the MESY, the CPI implements programmes of continuing professional development in the areas of Entrepreneurial education. As clarified in this section under formal education, the subject in which entrepreneurship is introduced is called ‘Design and Technology’. Thus, in this context, the training programme for candidate secondary school teachers of Design and Technology for the 2023/2024 school year was addressed to 24 candidates invited by the Cyprus Educational Service Commission, ran from May to July 2024, and comprised 200 hours (50 hours of asynchronous online learning and 150 hours of face-to-face/practical training), with 22 participants successfully completing the programme.