Shared Island Funding

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.

What Shared Island programmes are currently open for application?

Shared Island Civic Society Fund

The fifth funding call under the Shared Island Civic Society Fund is now open, with up to €2 million available for eligible projects.

The Civic Society Fund supports grassroots, cross-border projects that have a clear North South dimension, involving cross-border partners collaborating on a project to strengthen North South civic, economic, cultural, and/or political links.

The deadline for submitting applications is Tuesday 2 June. Find out more on how to apply.

Shared Island Touring Scheme 2026

Applications are now open for the Shared Island Touring Scheme, to enable support for cross-border touring and cross-border artistic co-productions on the island of Ireland.

The Scheme, delivered by the Arts Council and Arts Council of Northern Ireland, will support island-wide creative partnerships, encouraging dialogue, shared understanding and cultural exchange.

Applications close at 17:30 on Thursday, 14 May 2026. Find out more and apply here.

What grant funding programmes have been supported under the Shared Island Initiative to date?

• Shared Island Enterprise Scheme: Women's Entrepreneurship

• Culture Ireland Shared Island Touring, Production and Platforms Fund

• Creative Ireland - Shared Island Programme

• All-Island Support Programmes for Women Entrepreneurs

• North South Research Programme

• Co-Centres for Research and Innovation

• Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme

• Shared Island Community Climate Action Programme

• Shared Island Enterprise Scheme

• Shared Island Tourism Coast to Coast Capital Investment Scheme

• All-Island Bioeconomy Demonstrators

• Shared Island Civic Society Fund

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.