Pwc foundation: Expanding Educational Opportunities
The PwC Foundation continued to expand its contribution to education, entrepreneurship and community support during the 2026 financial year, with PwC Cyprus reporting a wide range of initiatives aimed at creating social impact across the island. Education remained a central priority, with the foundation focusing on equal opportunities and academic excellence.
- Furthermore, PwC continued its practice of providing pro bono services and making donations to various non-profit organisations, further enhancing its commitment to social wellbeing.
During FY26, the PwC Foundation awarded 14 scholarships to high-performing students from the University of Cyprus and Cyprus University of Technology, selecting recipients based on specific socio-economic criteria. Additionally, the foundation recognised exceptional academic achievements across various fields of study.
Among the ongoing initiatives are Girls in STEAM and TechWeCan, both designed to provide young people with essential technical skills and exposure to emerging technologies. These programmes aim to bridge the gender gap in technology and empower young women to pursue careers in science and engineering.
Financial Literacy and Workforce Preparation
During Global Money Week, PwC volunteers took proactive steps by visiting public schools throughout Cyprus, delivering financial education sessions to 10 schools, 28 classrooms, and nearly 300 students ranging from primary to lyceum levels. The sessions focused on practical knowledge around money management, financial planning and responsible decision-making, helping students build a solid foundation for their financial futures.
Other educational initiatives included collaboration with the Cyprus Institute of Marketing to support young professionals, as well as experiential programmes such as “Beyond the Workforce of Today,” which prepares students for the evolving demands of the workplace. These efforts reflect the foundation’s commitment to equipping the younger generation with skills relevant to the modern economy.
Cultural and Artistic Enrichment
The foundation also maintained its long-standing partnership with the Pharos Arts Foundation, enhancing cultural and music education opportunities across Cyprus. By supporting various cultural initiatives, the PwC Foundation aims to foster creativity and artistic expression among young people, recognising the importance of the arts in education.
Empowering Young Entrepreneurs
Supporting young entrepreneurs and innovation has been another key focus of the PwC Foundation. Strategic collaborations with Junior Achievement Cyprus, the University of Cyprus, and Cyprus Seeds have enabled the foundation to develop programmes that nurture entrepreneurial skills among students aged 15 to 18. The “Company Programme” allows students to create their own businesses, transforming ideas into tangible products or services while gaining practical experience in operating a company with guidance from teachers and business mentors.
The “Our Community” programme introduces younger students to active citizenship and community involvement through experiential learning activities, encouraging them to engage with and contribute to their communities from an early age.
Recognition on an International Stage
A standout achievement for the PwC Foundation this year was the impressive performance of the Cypriot student team HerShield from St Mary’s School in Limassol. They represented Cyprus at the JA Europe competition in Riga, securing third place in the JA Europe Company of the Year 2026 category amidst competitors from over 40 countries. This achievement highlights the effectiveness of the foundation’s entrepreneurship programmes in fostering talent and innovation.
Supporting Innovation Ecosystems
The PwC Foundation also played a vital role in supporting the broader innovation ecosystem by sponsoring the annual Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum and contributing to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) of the University of Cyprus. These initiatives aim to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship within the region, creating an environment conducive to business growth and development.
Additionally, a new initiative launched during the year was the University of Cyprus C4E Summer Academy, which introduced three specialised summer programmes designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills in innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Commitment to Community Support
Community support and volunteering remain integral to the foundation’s activities, extending its contributions beyond education and entrepreneurship. During FY26, PwC employees participated in a blood donation campaign and backed the Movember movement, raising awareness of men’s health and wellbeing issues. The “Volunteer Days” initiative saw over 350 PwC Cyprus volunteers engage in 13 activities supporting local communities and charitable organisations throughout the island.
Furthermore, PwC continued its practice of providing pro bono services and making donations to various non-profit organisations, further enhancing its commitment to social wellbeing.
Long-term Vision for Social Impact
Andreas Yiasemides, chief executive of PwC Cyprus, articulated the foundation’s commitment to creating long-term value for society. He stated, “At PwC, we believe that meaningful change is achieved through collective action, long-term commitment and active participation. PwC Cyprus and the PwC Foundation continue to invest in education, entrepreneurship and community wellbeing, helping create opportunities for people to thrive and contribute to a stronger and more resilient society.”
Yiasemides expressed pride in the impact achieved over the past months and reaffirmed the foundation’s dedication to supporting initiatives that foster lasting and sustainable value for future generations.
