• Cultural Docklands and ‘Learning City’ projects included in successful applications
• Project partners from across the island will work together on new North-South projects

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD has today (29 September 2022) announced the 25 successful projects awarded funding under the Shared Island Local Authority Development Funding Scheme.
 
Among them are two signature Cork projects which will see Cork City Council team up with local authority counterparts in Belfast, Derry, Dublin and Limerick.

More than €220,000 has been allocated to the City Council to lead on projects encompassing docklands, climate change and city culture.

A fund of €128,607 will see Cork lead an ‘Our Learning Island’ project which will explore feasibility of projects built on the UNESCO Learning City exchange programmes, involving partners in Cork, Derry and Strabane, Belfast, Dublin and Limerick. Two feasible capital projects will be identified for a Learning Island, based on consultation and specifically examining: inclusive music education; youth centres for traditional currach building and rowing; and, community garden  projects.

Elsewhere, Cork City Council and Belfast City Council will come together on a ‘Cork-Belfast Habour City’ project, with €90,000 allocated in funding for feasibility work to develop collaboration and coordinated investment propositions by the two City Councils for Docklands regeneration and on climate action. It will include a catalyst development scope and viability study for the docklands, and a joint examination of climate action best practice by Councils, including the adaption of commercial and office buildings and roll out of EV public fleets.

More than €4.3m has been allocated to 15 lead Local Authorities in the South, working in partnership with 9 Councils in Northern Ireland to develop collaborative cross-border investment projects over the next 12 months.
 
The successful projects are spread across a range of sectors including biodiversity, tourism, decarbonisation, the circular economy, rural and urban regeneration, education, business innovation; and cultural and creative industries.
 
The scheme, which is funded by the Shared Island Fund and managed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, enables Local Authorities North and South to progress feasibility and development work on new joint investment projects which deliver local and regional development goals.
 
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said:

I am delighted to announce the 25 successful projects which have been awarded funding under the Shared Island Local Authority Funding Scheme.  I am not only struck by the diverse range of projects which have come through the process, I am particularly pleased to see such a significant geographic spread across the island.

Local Authorities in the border region and elsewhere have long-standing partnerships with their Northern counterparts, which I hope will be further enhanced through schemes such as this, and it’s important that there are also newer partnerships such as the projects involving Waterford and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Kerry, Cork, Donegal and Ards and North Down Borough Council that can contribute to the Shared Island vision of communities North and South working together on shared opportunities.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD added:

This is an exciting time for the Local Authorities like Cork City and County Councils which have been awarded funding under the Shared Island Local Authority Funding Scheme.

It’s the first step in a process, which will see them develop concrete plans on strategic North-South investment projects that can make a real difference, not only in their local communities, but regionally and island-wide as well.  Through the Government’s Shared Island Fund, and the work of the partner Local Authorities, our goal of investing for a more connected, sustainable and prosperous island is moving ahead.

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke commented:

I am very pleased to see Local Authorities playing such a key role in the Shared Island initiative. Local Authorities have vital knowledge and experience in delivering for their communities, towns and villages. Through this scheme, they have identified opportunities to meet regional development goals and challenges – like climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable tourism – and will now work on a pipeline of new, ambitious and collaborative projects with their Local Authority partners in Northern Ireland

This development funding is a central catalyst in taking existing partnerships to the next level and instigating new ones, encouraging Local Authorities, not just in the border region, but right across this island to work together for a shared future.

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