Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Ministers Burke and Archibald launch applications for the Shared Island Sustainability Challenge Fund

Pictured (L-R) are: Barbara Orr, Director of Enterprise Development, InterTradeIreland; Paul Gunn, Head of Alternative Funding, Invest NI and Anne Lanigan, Divisional Manager, Local Enterprise and Regions, Enterprise Ireland. 

The Taoiseach and Ministers Burke and Archibald have today launched a call for applications for the €26 million Shared Island Sustainability Challenge Fund.  

The Fund is part of the Shared Island Enterprise scheme delivered on a collaborative basis by Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland and InterTradeIreland.

The fund will help industrial manufacturing businesses across Ireland and Northern Ireland to decarbonise their sites using novel and innovative solutions. It will support first-of-a-kind industrial sustainability projects in key challenge areas, including flexible industrial electrification; hard-to-abate climate technologies; water efficiency; and circularity, resource efficiency and the bioeconomy.

Co-funded by the Government of Ireland’s Shared Island Fund, a total of €26 million has been provided, with €13 million available in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are each contributing €3 million in their respective jurisdictions.

This builds on the success of the €20 million Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant awards in December 2025 which has leveraged €63.5m to-date in private sector funding for capital investment in decarbonisation.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said: “The Shared Island Enterprise Scheme is taking cooperation between Enterprise Agencies to a higher level than ever before to support business and economic development across the island of Ireland. Decarboninsing industrial manufacturing sectors is an important objective for both Administrations and for businesses North and South. Through the Shared Island Sustainability Challenge Fund, we will work together so that the island of Ireland is a leader in introducing innovative processes to decarbonise and make more sustainable and competitive our all-island economy.”

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said: “The €26 million fund is a strong example of how we can work together North and South on this island to tackle the shared challenge of decarbonising industry through the Shared Island Initiative. By supporting businesses to adopt novel and innovative solutions, we are helping to future-proof our manufacturing base, strengthen competitiveness and drive progress towards a low-carbon economy across the island." 

Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: “This fund provides a major opportunity for businesses across the island to collaborate on innovative first-of-their-kind industrial projects that will help build a more resilient, sustainable low carbon economy. It supports the priorities in my economic vision of increasing productivity and decarbonising the economy by investing in innovation. The collaborative work of Invest NI, InterTradeIreland and Enterprise Ireland is accelerating investment in a sector with huge economic potential across the island, helping us to develop a globally competitive and sustainable economy.”

The fund aligns with each Administration’s Programme for Government placing a focus on cross-border cooperation to support economic growth, innovation and decarbonisation.

Eligible businesses across Northern Ireland and Ireland can apply for funding contributions to deliver collaborative innovation projects in Flexible Electrification, Hard-to-Abate Climate Technologies, Water Efficiency and Circularity, Resource Efficiency and the Bioeconomy, supporting the transition to a more sustainable and competitive economy across the island.  

Paul Gunn, Head of Alternative Funding at Invest NI said: “The Shared Island Sustainability Challenge Fund will support businesses on an all-island basis to develop and implement innovative solutions that reduce carbon emissions, improve sustainability and enhance productivity. By supporting first-of-their-kind industrial projects, the fund will encourage collaboration, accelerate innovation and strengthen business competitiveness while contributing to the transition to a low-carbon economy. We’re pleased to support this important initiative in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and InterTradeIreland.”

Anne Lanigan, Divisional Manager, Local Enterprise and Regions, Enterprise Ireland said: “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support the Shared Island Sustainability Challenge Fund, which will enable Irish manufacturing companies to access funding for innovative decarbonisation projects. A joint initiative between Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland and InterTradeIreland, this collaborative, all-island approach will help build critical mass around emerging green technologies, supporting Irish companies across the island to reduce their environmental impact while enhancing their long-term competitiveness."

Barbara Orr, Director of Enterprise Development at InterTradeIreland said: “The launch of the Shared Island Sustainability Challenge Fund marks an important step in our commitment to supporting organisations to meet ambitious climate and net zero targets across the island. The fund will help accelerate industrial decarbonisation, strengthen competitiveness, and demonstrate innovative solutions that address shared challenges, while enhancing economic resilience and supporting a more sustainable future.”

All eligible projects will benefit the all-island economy, create significant value for industry and deliver environmental improvements.  

More information on the fund and how to apply can be found on the Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland websites.