Cyprus’s promotion for Digital Transformation
As stated by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy (DMRID) of Cyprus, “In today’s globalized world, […] the competitiveness of any economy is deeply rooted in its resilience, readiness to adapt, and ability to compete and excel”[1] is the new normal. Cyprus is pushing for Digital Transformation in all sectors, with an estimate that the Cypriot government will devote 23% of its national Resilience and Recovery Plan (RRP), following the Covid-19 pandemic, to digital objectives including more than €170 million for the promotion of e-government, €53 million for ultra-fast connectivity, €24 million for the enhancement of digital skills across government, industry, academia and society, and €35 million for the development of smart cities[2].With Cyprus ranking 20th out of 27 in the last Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)[3] it is central that the country takes radical transformation in all sectors.
The KIOS Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence (KIOS CoE) at the University of Cyprus has also joined 15 different Cypriot organisations with expertise in Artificial Intelligence, High Performance Computing and Cybersecurity technologies, to accelerate the digital transformation of small and medium enterprises as well as of public sector organisations in Cyprus. Through the Cyprus DiGItal INNovation Hub (DiGiNN project) funded by the EU this will help companies and organisations to respond to the digital challenges[4] brought on by today’s economy.
[1] Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital policy (Republic of Cyprus), Cyprus- The National Digital Strategy 2020 - 2025, p. 3 [2] Ibid, pp 16-17 [3] Maria Eracleous, Half a billion euro investment in digital transformation, https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/half-a-billion-euro-investment-in-digital-transformation (dated 01/02/2023, last accessed 07/04/2023) [4] KIOS.ucy.ac.cy, KIOS joins forces with 15 organisations to accelerate the digital transformation of Cyprus, https://www.kios.ucy.ac.cy/kios-joins-forces-with-15-organizations-to-accelerate-the-digital-transformation-of-cyprus/
Brain Drain and the importance of the LeaderSEEDS project
“Brain drain” is defined as the emigration of highly trained or qualified people from a particular country to other countries. This is usually based on political instabilities, poor quality of life, limited access to health care and a shortage of economic opportunity. This is a prevailing problem in Cyprus, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, as many young skilled workers saw their livelihoods threatened in a climate of economic and social instability. Examples of organisations that focus on this issue in Cyprus is “Cyprus Seeds”, a non-profit organisation focused on slowing down the brain drain problem in Cyprus by promoting the creation of Cypriot technology spin-offs as a source of jobs and wealth for Cyprus[1].
Focusing on these issues, the LeaderSEEDS project aims to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation in the third sector. As the lack of digital competences in the third sector is overarching, by pushing non-profit organisations, NGOs and other third sector organisations, to take steps in promoting digital skills in leadership can help the third sector of Cyprus to partake in the digital transformation that the other sectors are taking steps in achieving. With the case of Brain Drain in Cyprus and non-profits, like “Cyprus Seeds”, LeaderSEEDS can help them by creating a Digital Leadership Development Training Programme and a Digital Leadership Centre, as well as a Digital Literacy Module, educating them in vital skills and providing training to further achieve their goals.
[1] Cyprusseeds.com, Mission and vision of the organization, https://cyprusseeds.com/
References
Maria Eracleous, Half a billion euro investment in digital transformation, https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/half-a-billion-euro-investment-in-digital-transformation (dated 01/02/2023, last accessed 07/04/2023)
KIOS.ucy.ac.cy, KIOS joins forces with 15 organisations to accelerate the digital transformation of Cyprus, https://www.kios.ucy.ac.cy/kios-joins-forces-with-15-organizations-to-accelerate-the-digital-transformation-of-cyprus/
Cyprusseeds.com, Mission and vision of the organization, https://cyprusseeds.com/
Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital policy (Republic of Cyprus), Cyprus- The National Digital Strategy 2020 - 2025, https://www.dmrid.gov.cy/dmrid/research.nsf/all/927EA351714F99EDC22587CE0028C090/$file/Digital%20Strategy%202020-2025.pdf?openelement