The Cyprus Statistical Society (CSS) and Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus (EEN Cyprus) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on 7 July 2026, laying the foundations for more systematic collaboration aimed at strengthening statistical literacy, the use of data and evidence-based decision-making among Cypriot businesses.
The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), in its capacity as coordinator and representative of EEN Cyprus, and the Cyprus Statistical Society. EEN Cyprus is a consortium of four organisations: the CCCI, the Research and Innovation Foundation, the European Office of Cyprus and the Cyprus Energy Agency.
Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus (EEN Cyprus) is the Cypriot member of Europe’s largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It provides information and advisory services, as well as support for internationalisation, innovation, sustainability and access to European funding opportunities. The Cyprus Statistical Society (CSS) is a scientific association based in Nicosia that advances and promotes statistical science and its applications, strengthening statistical education, research and the appropriate use of data for evidence-based decision-making.
This collaboration is particularly significant at a time when small and medium-sized enterprises, especially microenterprises, must operate in an environment of uncertainty, intense competition and constant change. Access to data alone is not enough. What truly matters is businesses’ ability to turn data into useful insights and apply these to make evidence-based decisions on issues such as pricing policy, inventory management, the selection of new markets, investment planning, understanding customer needs and improving productivity.
Statistical literacy does not mean that every entrepreneur needs to become an expert in statistics. It does mean, however, that they need the basic skills to interpret data correctly and use them for the benefit of their business. Understanding concepts such as trends, seasonality, variance and the median can help businesses gain a more reliable picture of their performance, identify opportunities and risks at an early stage and plan their next steps more effectively.
Through this collaboration, EEN Cyprus and the Cyprus Statistical Society will seek to bring the business community and scientific knowledge closer together, strengthening the practical application of statistics in day-to-day business operations. Particular emphasis will be placed on microenterprises, which account for the majority of Cypriot businesses and often lack specialised in-house data analysis capabilities, despite having to make critical business decisions.
The collaboration will include joint information and training activities, workshops, exchanges of expertise, the provision of specialised information and the exploration of opportunities to collaborate on European initiatives and projects of mutual interest. The aim is to build a meaningful bridge between businesses, statistical science and European support instruments.
This initiative highlights the importance of drawing on European SME support networks in collaboration with specialised scientific and professional organisations. By pooling expertise, experience and resources, these organisations can develop more comprehensive, targeted and effective services that respond to businesses’ actual needs.
The central message of this new collaboration is simple: Cypriot businesses need not only more data but, above all, to understand and use them more effectively. The collaboration between Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus and the Cyprus Statistical Society aims to strengthen businesses’ capacity to make evidence-based decisions and use scientific knowledge as a practical tool for growth, competitiveness and innovation.
