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Shared Island Enterprise Scheme


Shared Island Initiative


The government’s Shared Island initiative aims to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection and mutual understanding on the island and engage with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future.
 

The Shared Island Fund was announced in Budget 2021, with initial €500m in capital funding available between 2021-25, ring-fenced for investment in collaborative North/South projects.
 

The revised National Development Plan (2021-2030) sets out an ambition for collaborative all-island investment to create a more connected, sustainable and prosperous island for all and this is backed by unprecedented all-island investment commitments through the Shared Island Fund and other funding streams.
 

The new Programme for Government agreed in January 2025 commits a further €1 billion to the Shared Island Fund up to 2035 to foster reconciliation, mutual respect and growth and sets out a range of new investment and cooperation commitments.
 

Shared Island banner

Shared Island Enterprise Scheme

In February 2024, the Government of Ireland announced an allocation of €30m from the Shared Island Fund towards the establishment of a new Shared Island Enterprise Scheme developed by Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland and Invest Northern Ireland. 
 

The Shared Island Enterprise Scheme marks a new phase in all-island economic collaboration and business growth and is the first time that three of the main economic development agencies on the island of Ireland have worked together on a shared scheme of this size.

What support does the Shared Island Scheme offer

Enterprise Ireland clients can benefit from grant funding for green capital investment, while women entrepreneurs can access a wide range of programmes offering training, mentoring, and scaling support. The cluster support will help develop existing and emerging clusters to achieve scale on the island of Ireland.

The Shared Island Enterprise Scheme support will be delivered on an all-island basis under the following themes:


 

    Women's Entrepreneurship

     

    Empowering women across the island to grow, innovate, and scale their businesses with tailored support and mentorship.


    What is it?

    A suite of fully funded programmes designed to support women entrepreneurs at every stage, from early ventures to scaling businesses. Participants gain access to mentorship, workshops and networking opportunities to accelerate growth.

     

    In February 2024, the Government of Ireland announced an allocation of €30m from the Shared Island Fund towards the establishment of a new Shared Island Enterprise Scheme developed by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. The scheme will support the delivery of new programmes and supports for businesses across the island of Ireland in the areas of Women’s Entrepreneurship, Clustering and Sustainable Enterprise.
     

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WeBuild

WeBuild is a programme for women founders developing tech-enabled ventures focused on innovation, AI learning, and building strong, future-ready businesses.

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WeGrow

WeGrow is a growth programme for women-led SMEs that are ready to grow beyond their home market through strategic mentorship and business development.

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WeScale

WeScale is a scaling programme for high-potential women-led businesses aiming for international expansion and investor readiness through advanced scaling support.

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Trio of Women's Entrepreneurship Programmes Launch as part of Shared Island Enterprise Scheme

Women's Entrepreneurship FAQs

For women-led businesses across the island of Ireland who are seeking to grow, scale, or innovate.
Designed for founders ready to build connections, expand their networks, and gain hands-on guidance and mentorship.

Women founders based on the island of Ireland who are seeking to grow, scale, or innovate. Each programme has specific eligibility criteria, which can be found on the individual programme pages.

Yes. All programmes are fully funded under the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, meaning there is no cost to participate.

Each programme is designed for a different stage of business development, from early tech ventures (WeBuild), to growing SMEs (WeGrow), to scaling, export-focused businesses (WeScale). Read each programme overview to find your best fit. If you’re unsure which programme is best for your business, contact the Women’s Entrepreneurship team at we@intertradeireland.com and they can advise you on the most beneficial programme for your business.

Programme duration and structure varies, but typically include a blend of workshops, mentorship sessions, and peer networking over several weeks. Full details are outlined on each programme page.

Applications are limited to one per programme. Applicants should therefore review the programme specifications and choose the programme that best fits their current stage of growth. If an applicant’s business evolves, they may be eligible to apply for a different programme in the future.

Applications for each programme open at different points throughout the year. Check the individual programme pages for exact dates.

Closing dates vary by programme:

· WeScale: Monday 8th December 2025 at 12pm
· WeBuild: Tuesday 9th December 2025 at 12pm
· WeGrow: Monday 15th December 2025 at 12pm

Be sure to check each programme page so you don’t miss the opportunity to apply.

If the deadline for applying is missed or applicants are unsuccessful on this occasion, applicants can apply for future cohorts of the programmes, which are scheduled to run until 2028. 

Supporting women in business

Enterprise Ireland believes that Ireland’s economic success will be driven by harnessing a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem which utilises the skills, ambition and talent of a diverse population. 

Increasing opportunities for women entrepreneurs and in management is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland, and this work is underpinned by our six-year Action Plan for Women in Business.  

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    Clusters & Networks

     

    The Clustering theme of the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme is led by InterTradeIreland and is a dedicated initiative to develop all-island cluster collaboration.

     

    A feasibility study has been undertaken that outlines a number of priorities for clusters on the island of Ireland. The outcome of this feasibility study will help to inform and shape the future clustering programmes for the duration of the scheme.

     

    The programmes will aim to build clusters and networks through:

     

    • Driving regional development and innovation, leading to increased collaboration across the island and potentially extending to all-island supply chain development,
    • Developing support structures around issues like skills development and
    • Exposing clusters on the island of Ireland to international best practice.

     

    A key feature of the Cluster scheme was the delivery of the TCI Conference in October 2025, which was being hosted as a joint all-island initiative with the theme “Clusters: Sustaining a Global Open Economy”. It was the first time in this global conference’s 28-year history that it came to the island of Ireland, and working across borders.

     

    The conference was an opportunity to educate businesses, academia and government representatives on clusters and showcase the island’s cluster ecosystems, foster international connections, and enhance its reputation as an exemplar of cluster development and a hub for business and innovation.

     

28th TCI Global Conference - Highlights

Read more on the highlights of the TCI Conference - Cluster Development | InterTradeIreland

    Sustainable Enterprise

     

    In 2024, Invest Northern Ireland & Enterprise Ireland were allocated €10m each in funding via the Taoiseach’s Office and DETE in Ireland for a green investment strand for sustainable energy projects and decarbonisation, as part of Shared Island Funding. 

     

    The funding was allocated for both Invest NI and Enterprise Ireland to collaboratively develop a call for demonstrator projects aimed at sustainability and the green economy on an All-Island basis. 

     

    Particular emphasis was to be given to the development of alternative energy solutions which can deliver both commercial and environmental benefits on a cross-border basis. 

     

    As a result, Invest NI and Enterprise Ireland, in partnership with InterTradeIreland, launched the “Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant” in February 2025, with the scheme open to applications until May 2025, now closed. Significant expressions of interest were received by both Invest NI and Enterprise Ireland. 

     

     

    On December 15th 2025, the Taoiseach and Ministers Burke and Archibald announced the first six successful projects under the €20m Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant scheme.

     

     

    The three companies that have been approved for support in Ireland under the Shared Island Capital Grant Scheme are:

     

    • Aurivo – installation of a new innovative technology, a first for the dairy processing sector, and a significant opportunity for the decarbonisation of high-temperature processes.
    • Ecocem - integrates recycled crushed glass to be co-grinded with ground granulated blast furnace slag to create a high-performance, low-carbon cement product.
    • Gannon Eco - scaling up an industrial process from lab scale that will treat, recover, and recycle previously untreatable hazardous acid waste.

     

     

    The three companies which have been offered support in Northern Ireland under the Shared Island Capital Grant Scheme are:

     

    • O&S Doors – investing in renewable heat and energy.
    • Capper Trading – creation of a renewable energy hub.
    • Cemcor – low carbon cement development.

     

     

    For more details, please click here: €20m Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant scheme | Enterprise Ireland

     

     

    Similarly, innovative projects targeting significant scope 1 emissions on Enterprise Ireland manufacturing client sites may still be eligible for Environmental Aid, see here: Energy and Environmental Aid | Enterprise Ireland.
     

     


    Explore other sustainability supports from Enterprise Ireland

     

     

    Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant scheme

     

    Image caption: Pictured (l-r) Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald and Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD. 

Get in Touch

If you have any queries regarding the Shared Island initiative, please email our team below.

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