Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, has announced €1.92 million in grant funding from the 2025 round of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund. This funding will support sixty-four community-based cross-border projects across the island of Ireland, spanning a wide range of activities including scout troops, theatre groups, local history initiatives, environmental projects, and more.
The Shared Island Civic Society Fund aims to foster cross-border partnerships between grassroots community organisations, promoting connections that are considered essential for building a truly shared island. Minister McEntee expressed her support for the successful applicants and encouraged those not funded this year to apply in the following round.
The Fund forms part of the Government’s Shared Island initiative, which focuses on practical cooperation and engagement between civic society groups across sectors aligned with the Good Friday Agreement. Eligible projects must demonstrate a clear North-South dimension, involving collaboration between cross-border partners to strengthen civic, economic, cultural, and political links.
With an annual budget of €2 million, the Fund typically awards grants averaging around €30,000 each, providing vital support for initiatives that enhance cross-border engagement and community development throughout Ireland.
