Reykjavík faces professional layoffs amid EU funding for Icelandic cybersecurity

Professional unions within the BHM association have expressed serious concerns regarding mass layoffs at the City of Reykjavík. While the city aims to strengthen frontline services and ensure continuity, the dismissal of a large group of professionals—including social workers and psychologists—raises questions about the ability to meet service goals. Unions warn that these changes could lead to service disruptions, loss of critical institutional knowledge, and increased workloads for remaining staff.

Separately, an analysis of the European Union's grant system reveals significant funding allocated to Icelandic ministries and institutions. Since 2021, there have been 1,929 grant applications, with 405 approved, totaling billions of Icelandic króna. Notably, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has received over 1 million euros for CERT-IS to establish a 24/7 cybersecurity operations center. This center is designed to monitor cyber threats, coordinate responses, and protect Iceland's digital infrastructure through international and domestic cooperation.