Shared Island Funding
- Foilsithe: 4 Meitheamh 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 14 Aibreán 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.
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:
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.
Shared Island Enterprise Scheme: Women's Entrepreneurship
A new all-island WeVenture programme, delivered by InterTradeIreland with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland under the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, is now open for applications.
The programme is supporting women researchers to explore the commercial potential of their research. Read more here.
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 took place on Wednesday 25 February 2026 and is available to watch back here.
The Creative Climate Action Fund call closes on 15 April 2026
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.