Grant Thornton Cyprus has launched its EU Grant and Funding Scheme Programme Services, a new offering under its Business Consulting service line designed to support public and private sector organisations in accessing, managing, and maximising European Union funding opportunities. The service responds to the increasing complexity of EU funding frameworks and provides structured, end-to-end support across the full funding lifecycle, from early-stage concept development and application submission through to project implementation and completion.

The offering is built around two integrated pillars: Application Process Support and Post-Grant Project Delivery Support. Through these, Grant Thornton assists organisations in identifying suitable funding programmes, preparing high-quality applications, forming effective project consortia, and ensuring strong governance, compliance, and performance throughout project execution. Services include project management, financial and KPI monitoring, reporting, risk management, and specialised advisory support in areas such as strategy, operational improvement, and digital transformation.

Delivered by a multidisciplinary team with extensive experience in EU funding frameworks and compliance requirements, the service is designed to help organisations translate European funding into tangible, sustainable outcomes. With this launch, Grant Thornton Cyprus further strengthens its Business Consulting portfolio and reaffirms its commitment to supporting clients in achieving long-term value from EU-funded initiatives, from concept to completion.

The Polish family foundation, introduced in 2023, has rapidly become one of the most powerful and innovative legal instruments for asset protection, succession planning, and long-term wealth structuring. By 2025, more than 2,500 foundations have already been established, confirming its strong appeal among entrepreneurs, family business owners, and private investors in Poland and abroad.

Designed as a separate legal entity, the family foundation allows founders to safeguard assets from personal risks, organise intergenerational transfers, and ensure business continuity under clearly defined governance rules. Its unique structure combines robust asset protection mechanisms with highly attractive tax treatment, including tax deferral at the foundation level and preferential taxation for close family beneficiaries.

Beyond succession planning, the family foundation also offers flexible investment possibilities within a regulated framework, enabling efficient capital growth while preserving the family’s long-term strategic objectives. With stable legislation, growing international interest, and strong alignment with European wealth planning trends, the Polish family foundation is quickly establishing itself as a cornerstone of modern family wealth and legacy planning.

• Grant Thornton becomes largest UK professional services firm to give equity units to many of its employees at no cost or buy-in
• Equity units also made available to employees in Cyprus
• Employees have the potential to benefit from initial equity value held by the Employee Benefit Trust and future increases in its value

A well-drafted contract is one of the most powerful tools for preventing disputes and protecting your interests. This practical guide explains the essential steps to creating clear, effective agreements under UK law, from defining the parties, scope of work and payment terms, to including key legal protections such as termination, confidentiality and liability clauses. Designed for small businesses, freelancers and individuals, the article also highlights when professional legal advice is necessary to avoid costly mistakes and future disputes.

Europe has led the way in shaping global standards for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting through landmark frameworks such as the CSRD, CSDDD, and the EU Taxonomy. These regulations were designed to enhance transparency, improve capital allocation, and strengthen the long-term resilience and competitiveness of European businesses.

However, growing political pressure and economic uncertainty are now driving a dramatic shift toward deregulation. The proposed Omnibus initiative could reduce mandatory sustainability reporting obligations by more than 90%, potentially reversing a decade of progress and weakening Europe’s leadership in sustainable finance and corporate accountability.

This retreat is deeply paradoxical. While critics argue that ESG compliance burdens competitiveness, evidence consistently shows that companies with strong sustainability strategies outperform their peers through better innovation, efficiency, and talent attraction. Even more telling, most European companies intend to continue their ESG strategies regardless of regulatory rollbacks, recognising sustainability as a strategic advantage rather than a constraint.

As other regions accelerate their own sustainability agendas, Europe risks turning a former strength into a strategic vulnerability, driven not by economic logic, but by short-term political pressure.