On June 27, 2024, the Eunite: SME project launched the 2024 Startups4Peace (Su4P) bicommunal accelerator programme, co-funded by the European Union and the Embassy of Finland.

Su4P is a competition and mini-accelerator programme co-funded by the European Union and the Embassy of Finland within the scope of the Eunite: SME project implemented by GIZ International Services. The programme is delivered in partnership with Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and Cyprus Inno.

The programme encourages innovative entrepreneurs and StartUps with new and emerging business ideas in Cyprus to come together, work in partnership and develop connections and relationships between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. Successful applicants are supported to develop, test and market their business ideas through a series of residential bootcamps, bepoke mentoring and a pitching battle. The ultimate prize for three [3] winning teams will be participating at SLUSH, the world’s leading start-up exhibition in Helsinki, Finland, in November 2024.

The call for applications opened on 27 June 2024 and will close on 12 August 2024.

For more information on the scheme criteria, guidelines and application process, please see: https://www.startups4peace.eu/. The online application form is available on the above-website and should be submitted by 12 August 2024.

PDF – SU4P 2024 Press Release ENG

We would like to inform you that the Research & Innovation Foundation (RIF) has announced the new funding programme “Commercial Exploration of Industrial Application of Technology/Knowledge – Energy” with a budget of €1.6 million, which aims to accelerate innovation in the energy sector.

The main objective of the new programme is to evolve solutions from pilot application to commercial readiness, while contributing to intensify R&D activities to upgrade and optimise solutions/technologies already developed in this field.

The ultimate objective is to improve the performance, reliability and cost-effectiveness of existing and/or new technologies – while ensuring their viability (including environmental sustainability) – for widespread adoption in mainly industrial and commercial applications, as well as for integration into the grid.

Through the Programme, companies will have the opportunity to identify the potential of a technology / know-how for commercial industrial application, which will address challenges facing the energy production, storage, transmission and distribution sectors.

The maximum funding per project is €200,000 and interested parties can find more information on the Foundation’s website. Proposals can be submitted via the IRIS portal and the deadline is 25 October 2024.

For further information, interested parties can contact the RIF’s Partner Service Centre at: 22205000 or by email at support@research.org.cy

PDF Circular: New RIF Funding Programme to accelerate innovation in the energy sector.docx

Please be informed that the Customs Department has issued a circular on the autonomous EU tariff quotas for certain agricultural and industrial products – Regulation (EU) 2024/1829.

The relevant circular is attached (PDF Circular below) , as well as the Regulation which lists the products that may be imported into the Union under these tariff quotas at a reduced or zero rate of duty and replaces the Annex to the basic Regulation (EU) 2021/2283.

The Regulation shall apply from 1 July 2024.

PDF Circular – Autonomous EU tariff quotas for certain agricultural and industrial products