Shared Island Funding
- Published on: 4 June 2025
- Last updated on: 16 February 2026
How does Shared Island Funding work?
Funding from the Shared Island Fund is allocated by the Government to Departments and Agencies to support the delivery of projects that implement Programme for Government priorities on Shared Island.
These projects are developed and taken forward in cooperation with counterparts in Northern Ireland and focus on practical cross-border collaboration in a range of areas including on key infrastructure projects, climate action, tourism, culture and research.
In some cases, Departments operate programmes that offer grant and funding opportunities that are open to applications as part of the Shared Island Initiative. These programmes support the broadening of cooperation, connections and mutual understanding across all communities on the island of Ireland.
Can you apply directly for funding?
In some cases, Departments operate programmes that offer grant and funding opportunities that are open to applications as part of the Shared Island Initiative. These programmes support the broadening of cooperation, connections and mutual understanding across all communities on the island of Ireland.
Shared Island programmes that are currently open for application:
Creative Ireland Shared Island Programme
Creative Ireland has announced significant new funding to support creativity, climate action, connection, and wellbeing across the island of Ireland.
Creative Climate Action Fund III - On 13 February 2026, the Government announced a new Creative Climate Action Fund III, supporting ambitious, large-scale creative projects that engage communities in climate action.
The fund is an initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with the Shared Island Initiative and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
Projects funded under this programme will bring together arts and culture, climate science, and community engagement to support meaningful behavioural change in response to climate challenges.
Grants will support projects delivered over a four-year period.
As part of this initiative, support is available under the Government’s Shared Island strand for projects with strong cross-border collaboration.
An online Information Session is available on Wednesday 25February 2026 @2:30pm and an in - person networking event will take place Friday 6 March 2026 @ Radisson Blu Hotel, Dublin 8 Register and find out more.
Creative Climate Action Fund Call closes on the 15 April 2026
All other Creative Ireland Grant Calls closes on the 27 February 2026
Creative Health & Wellbeing in the Community - Supporting Local Authority partnerships with creative and community organisations.
Creative Communities on a Shared Island - Supporting Local Authority partnerships that foster cross-community and cross-border collaboration.
Creative Youth Nurture Fund - Applications are welcomed from creative practitioners, groups, organisations, and communities seeking support to develop inclusive and impactful creative projects.
All other Creative Ireland Grant Calls closes on the 27 February 2026
Full details and application information for all schemes are available here.
Shared Island grant funding programmes to date:
For information on other Shared Island funded infrastructure and investment projects, see here.
Other proposals:
Proposals for other all-island investment or cooperation projects, including for Shared Island Fund support, are considered by the relevant Government Department or Agency for the the sector or topic addressed. Assessed and approved projects are agreed and implemented in partnership with appropriate stakeholders across both jurisdictions.