Cyprus - National Digital Decade strategic roadmap

The Cyprus strategic roadmap for the Digital Decade developed by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of Cyprus sets out the strategic goals to be achieved by 2030, monitoring their achievement, and the target paths and key measures have been developed.  

The report uses the data in the Digital Decade Report 2023 on the National Base Value of the Digital Decade Targets, the EU baseline value for Digital Decade Targets in 2023 and the EU target value for 2030. 

In Cyprus only 50% of the population have at least basic digital skills, which is 4 percentage points below the EU average. However, the share of ICT specialists in employment increased significantly in 2022 to reach the EU average of 4.6%. Moreover, at 21.6%, the share of women among ICT specialists is higher than the EU average of 18.9%. Cyprus shows commitment to contributing to the collective effort to achieve the Digital Decade target on ICT specialists. However, some challenges remain such as the low percentage of ICT graduates and the insufficient match between the academic courses available and the need for ICT specialists on the labour market. ICT graduates account for 2.8% of graduates in Cyprus, compared to the EU average of 4.2%. Cyprus performs above the EU average on the share of enterprises providing ICT training, at 28% compared to the EU average of 22%.

The Roadmap for Cyprus consists of 4 chapters:

• Digital Skills
• Secure and sustainable digital infrastructures
• Digitalization of businesses
• Digitalization of public service

Priorities for the development of digital skills

In 2022, several initiatives to support digital skills development were ongoing under the umbrella of the National Digital Skills Action Plan 2021-2025. Cyprus’ objective, with the support of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), is to improve digital skills development in all population groups, including upskilling and reskilling the workforce. Digital education and skills for all are one of the country’s main priorities. 

• The improvement of society's response to the digitalisation challenge and the active participation of all citizens in digital upskilling and reskilling initiatives.
• Bridging the gap between supply and demand of ICT specialists in the labour market to cover the ever-increasing and more specialized needs of businesses in today's highly competitive environment.
• The re-design of the educational system, so that the digital skills of the future can start being introduced from pre-Primary Education.

Measures contributing to the achievement of the target

• Measure 1: Trainings for strengthening digital skills of employed and unemployed persons by Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus (HRDA)

• Measure 2: Training program to develop digital skills in the public service by Cyprus Academy of Public Administration (CAPA)

• Measure 3: Training for upgrading digital skills of women in rural and remote areas

• Measure 4: National Digital Academy - Digital Coalition Platform

• Measure 5: ICT Re/Up Skilling Program

• Measure 6: Raising Awareness - Development of Communication Strategy

• Measure 7: Funding of Events of Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF)

• Measure 8: Promotion of Digital Skills by Cyprus Productivity Centre (CPC)

• Measure 9: Digital transformation of school units with the aim of enhancing digital skills and skills related to STEM education by the Ministry of Education

• Measure 10: Training and certification programs for Public Administration professionals (Project Management, Cyber Security Skills, training courses on specialised areas)

Key challenges to overcome

• Challenge 1: Leaving no one behind
• Challenge 2: Existing shortage of ICT specialists
• Challenge 3: Reaching gender convergence
• Challenge 4: Use of micro-credentials
• Challenge 5: Digital transformation of educational system
• Challenge 6: Develop connectivity infrastructure