The Irish Ocean Literacy Network has received a grant of €18,000 through the 2025 round of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund.
The grant through Queen’s University Belfast is listed as for “strengthening cross-border relations – regional co-creation and community dialogue”.
Other marine-related projects funded include the River Blackwater Catchment Trust, through a grant of €25,700 to the Irish Agroforestry Forum
The grants were announced this week by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee among a total of 64 projects approved for €1.92 million from the 2025 round of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund.
“I am delighted to announce funding of almost €2 million from my department’s Shared Island Civic Society Fund for 64 community-based cross-border projects across the island of Ireland,”she said.
“This funding will support a wide range of activities, reflecting the diversity of life on this island, from scout troops to theatre groups, local history groups to environmental groups, and many more,” she said.
“The Shared Island Civic Society Fund supports cross-border partnerships between grassroots community organisations. Such ground-level connections are vital if we are to have a truly shared island,” she added.
“My officials have informed the successful applicants, and I wish them every success with their projects. For those who were not successful this time around, I would encourage you to apply again next year. More information on the fund is available on gov.ie", she said.
The Shared Island Civic Society Fund is part of the Government’s Shared Island initiative, supporting practical North-South cooperation and engagement between civic society groups across a range of sectors and themes consistent with the objectives and commitments of the Good Friday Agreement.
To be eligible for funding, projects are required to have a clear North-South dimension, involving cross-border partners collaborating on a project to strengthen North-South civic, economic, cultural, and/or political links.
The Shared Island Civic Society Fund has an annual budget of €2 million and average grants are around €30,000 each.
