News

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Donegal T.D., Charlie McConalogue, this afternoon welcomed the announcement by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD, of  an open call for applications for a new funding scheme aimed at enhancing civic society engagement across the island of Ireland and encourages Donegal projects to participate.

The Shared Island Civic Society Fund will promote practical North South cooperation and engagement, across a range of sectors and themes, consistent with the objectives and commitments of the Good Friday Agreement. It will encourage and support civic society and community organisations to further strengthen existing partnerships and/or to develop new cross-border links, to build connectivity on issues of concern for the island of Ireland.

The scheme, which has been developed as part of the Government’s Shared Island initiative and supported through the Shared Island Fund, will provide €500,000 to cross-border projects in the first year of operation. It is expected that increased funding will be made available in future years.

The Fund will support regional, national and sectoral cross-border civic engagement in areas including Climate and Environment; Community development; Heritage and conservation; Social Enterprise; Charity and Voluntary Sector, and Sport.

Commenting, the Minister said “I am delighted that the Tánaiste has announced this Shared Island fund today which will be open to projects in Donegal to apply to. It is another positive funding stream under the Government’s Shared Island Unit to help increase cross-border civic engagement. I encourage relevant Donegal projects to consider the funding stream and apply where appropriate.”

Applications for funding under the Shared Island Civic Society Fund will be accepted from Monday, 16 January 2023 until Monday, 27 February 2023. Further information, including eligibility and application process details, is available at https://www.dfa.ie/about-us/funding/sharedislandcivicsocietyfund/.