Cyprus Chamber Highlights EU Funding Opportunities for SMEs and Startups

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) has highlighted European funding opportunities available to Cypriot small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups through the European Commission’s Cascade Funding mechanism. The initiative is intended to make financial support and other resources more accessible to businesses, particularly those active in technology, innovation and the green transition.

Cascade Funding, also known as Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP), enables organisations participating in EU-funded projects to distribute financial assistance to external businesses and organisations through their own calls for proposals. This allows smaller companies to benefit from European-funded initiatives without necessarily participating directly in the wider projects.

The funding can support businesses developing, testing or demonstrating innovative products, services and technologies, as well as those seeking to bring new solutions to market. Depending on the specific call, assistance may include direct financial support, access to technological infrastructure, pilot projects, mentoring, business development services and international networking opportunities.

Keve has compiled an indicative list of selected funding opportunities that may be relevant to Cypriot SMEs and startups. The opportunities cover a broad range of sectors, including culture and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, raw materials, agri-food, the circular economy, cybersecurity, transport, robotics, women’s entrepreneurship, deep technology, and social actions and rights.

The individual calls set their own eligibility requirements, funding conditions and application deadlines. The level of financial support and any co-financing obligations also vary, meaning businesses must review the terms of each opportunity before applying. Keve’s compilation is based on opportunities available as of 4 September 2026 and is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of all available funding.

The Chamber is also inviting companies to register their interest in receiving monthly updates on Cascade Funding and other European funding programmes. The updates are intended to help businesses identify relevant calls early and assess whether they match their operational needs, investment priorities and development plans. Interested companies can provide their details through a registration form made available by Keve.

Cascade Funding forms part of the wider range of European and national financing mechanisms available to smaller businesses. Other opportunities may be found through Cyprus’s central Funding Programmes Portal, which provides information on EU competitive programmes, co-financed schemes, the Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan, national grant schemes and financial instruments.

The availability of support depends on the terms of each programme, including the applicant’s location, business activities, project objectives and other eligibility criteria. Companies considering an application must therefore check the relevant call documentation and confirm that the opportunity remains open before preparing a submission.

By fLEXI tEAM