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1. Developing entrepreneurial skills through cultural activities

2. Support young entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative sectors

Developing entrepreneurial skills through cultural activities

In accordance to the National Policy Statement for the Enhancement of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Cyprus (2015) (Εθνική Δήλωση Πολιτικής για τηνενίσχυση του Επιχειρηματικού Οικοσυστήματος στην Κύπρο) the MESY aims at promoting entrepreneurial mindset through the educational system, as mentioned in section 3.8 Development of entrepreneurship competence of Chapter 3 ‘Employment & Entrepreneurship’. In the same chapter, information is available on the enhancement of entrepreneurial activities in the public universities.

There is no strategic focus to the development of entrepreneurial skills through cultural activities. This is rather acquired experientially through the cultural activities of the schools and universities. A prominent example of an initiative that aims at the development of entrepreneurial skills in relation to culture is the ‘Innovation Camps in Cultural and Creative Industries for Secondary Education’. As described in the ‘Annual Report 2025’ of the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO, during the camps, students and educators use digital learning platforms, attend discussions and presentations by professionals of the cultural sector and work under the guidance of mentors to develop business ideas with cultural content. In November 2025, the two-day event was held with Innovation Workshops in the Cultural and Creative Industries in Limassol. The event was co-organised by the Junior Achievement Cyprus (JA Cyprus), InnoEUsphere and the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO. 60 students and educators, members of the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) participated in the event (JA Annual Report 2024/2025/JA Cyprus Ετήσια Αναφορά 2024/2025). During the event the scope was to pilot the digital educational material for young people aged 15-18, developed within the framework of the European project ‘Cultural Bees’, which seeks to foster entrepreneurship and innovation skills in the cultural sector.

Support young entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative sectors

Support to young entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative sectors is provided through the funding schemes of the Deputy Ministry of Culture (refer to section 8.4 Promoting Culture and cultural participation) and the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry (refer to section 3.9 Start-up funding for young entrepreneurs of Chapter 3 ‘Employment & Entrepreneurship’).