Cyprus’ state aid commissioner Stella Michaelidou has confirmed the modification of a training support scheme, following a decision from earlier this month.

The decision, originally issued on April 9, was taken in response to a request submitted to the authority on March 18, 2026, leading to targeted changes in the measure titled “Single-company training programmes in Cyprus (state aid)”.

The Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus (Anad) remains the competent authority responsible for implementing the scheme, overseeing its application and execution.

Under the revised framework, beneficiaries have been expanded to include self-employed individuals, in addition to businesses, within the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus.

At the same time, the government of the Republic of Cyprus is excluded from the scope of the measure, as clarified in the announcement.

The amendment also introduces a significant increase in the scheme’s budget, which has been raised from €1 million to €2.6 million.

As a result of this revision, the estimated number of trainees is expected to reach approximately 12,000, compared to the previous projection of 5,000 individuals.

The measure is designed to provide incentives to employers and self-employed persons to plan, organise and implement training programmes based on specific conditions and criteria set by the competent authority.

Its objective is to address the training needs of employees, strengthening skills development and workforce capabilities across sectors.

For the implementation of these programmes, employers and self-employed participants may engage qualified trainers, facilitating the transfer of expertise and knowledge to their personnel.

These trainers may be sourced either from within or outside the organisation, and can be based in Cyprus or abroad, depending on the needs of each programme.

The legal basis of the measure is Regulation (EU) No 651/2014, as amended to date, which governs the compatibility of certain categories of state aid with the internal market.

The amended scheme entered into force upon publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic on April 17, 2026, formalising the changes introduced by the decision.

For all other aspects of the measure, the previous evaluation issued under decision number 441 dated October 30, 2023, remains in effect, ensuring continuity in its broader regulatory framework.

The changes aim to enhance participation, expand access and strengthen workforce training capacity, reflecting a broader effort to support skills development in the Cypriot economy.