Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee has announced the opening of the 2026 round of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, aimed at strengthening North–South cooperation between civic society organisations across Ireland. The fund is part of the Irish Government’s Shared Island initiative and supports grassroots cross-border projects that contribute to building stronger civic, economic, cultural, and political links in line with the Good Friday Agreement.
The 2026 funding round marks the fifth cycle of the programme, with up to €2 million available for eligible projects. Organisations from across sectors are encouraged to apply, provided they have either existing or planned partnerships with counterparts on the other side of the border working in similar fields. The initiative aims to ensure that funding barriers do not prevent meaningful cross-border collaboration.
Since its launch in 2023, the Shared Island Civic Society Fund has supported over 170 projects with more than €5 million in funding. These projects have spanned a wide range of areas, including business and social enterprise, environmental awareness, community and voluntary work, migrant support, sport, trade unions, women’s groups, and youth engagement.
Minister McEntee highlighted that the fund is designed to foster new partnerships, strengthen existing collaborations, and support innovative proposals that enhance cross-border civic engagement. She noted that such projects can have a transformative impact, particularly for smaller grassroots organisations working within local communities.
The fund offers grants of up to €50,000 per project, with average awards of around €30,000 in previous rounds. Applications are open to organisations of all sizes, with a strong emphasis on encouraging diverse and ambitious proposals that deepen North–South integration.
Officials emphasise that the Shared Island Civic Society Fund plays a key role in expanding cooperation across communities and building a more connected civic space throughout the island of Ireland.
