Nicosia: Promoting the country as a centre for research and innovation is a very high priority, Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Thursday during his visit to the Cyprus Institute (CyI), where he announced that the Government is to increase its contribution to the Institute by £1.2 million in 2025, in recognition of its ‘important work.’
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Government will contribute an additional £350,000 to the CyI to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to produce results regarding Cyprus’ Climate Change Initiative, for which the Institute serves as coordinator. Stavros Malas, President of the Institute, highlighted the challenges faced by the Government during Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026, emphasizing the need to leverage opportunities to shape the framework-programme for research.
Malas also mentioned that while Cyprus ranks first in competitive programmes in Europe, the country still has progress to make in terms of national research sp
ending. President Christodoulides, accompanied by Deputy Minister to the President, Irene Piki, addressed the Board of Trustees, stating the Government’s commitment to overcoming challenges and promoting Cyprus as a research and innovation hub.
He emphasized the importance of utilizing centres like the Cyprus Institute, which serves as a Center of Excellence for the country. The President also acknowledged the collaborative efforts between the Executive Branch and the CyI to address various state challenges. Recognizing the Institute’s significant contributions, the Government has committed to increasing its financial support by £1.2 million in 2025.
The President further elaborated on the Institute’s role as coordinator in the Climate Change Initiative, announcing an additional £350,000 contribution to facilitate the necessary infrastructure. He reiterated the State’s intention to enhance the research and innovation sector, citing a desire to increase its contribution to the national GDP.
Stavros Malas we
lcomed President Christodoulides to the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Institute and the Cyprus Research and Educational Foundation, emphasizing the significance of the President’s presence as a demonstration of support. Malas recounted the Institute’s nearly 20-year journey, highlighting its achievements and its establishment as a European and regional Centre of Excellence, despite financial challenges. He noted that an external evaluation found the Institute to be excellent in all areas.