A major new funding opportunity is opening for manufacturers across Ireland and Northern Ireland. The €26 million Shared Island Sustainability Challenge Fund aims to help industrial businesses cut emissions, improve efficiency and develop innovative low-carbon technologies.
€26m Sustainability Fund Targets Industrial Decarbonisation
Launched by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke and Northern Ireland Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, the fund is part of the Shared Island Enterprise scheme.
The initiative is being delivered jointly by Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland and InterTradeIreland. It is designed to support collaborative, first-of-a-kind projects that can strengthen manufacturing competitiveness while delivering measurable environmental benefits.
Funding of €13 million is available in both jurisdictions. The programme is supported by the Government of Ireland’s Shared Island Fund, with Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland each contributing €3 million in their respective areas.
Four priority sustainability areas
Eligible industrial manufacturing businesses can apply for support in projects focused on:
- Flexible industrial electrification
- Hard-to-abate climate technologies
- Water efficiency
- Circularity, resource efficiency and the bioeconomy
The fund is intended for collaborative innovation projects that benefit the wider all-island economy, create value for industry and produce clear environmental improvements.
Building on Earlier Shared Island Investment
The new sustainability fund follows the €20 million Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant awards announced in December 2025. Those awards have helped leverage €63.5 million in private-sector funding for decarbonisation-related capital investment to date.
The latest scheme reflects a broader focus on cross-border economic cooperation, innovation and climate action. It also supports government priorities around productivity, industrial resilience and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Why the fund matters to Irish manufacturers
Industrial companies face growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions while controlling operating costs and protecting international competitiveness. Support for electrification, water management and resource efficiency could help businesses test and adopt technologies that might otherwise be difficult to finance.
Enterprise Ireland said the all-island approach can help create critical mass around emerging green technologies, while Invest Northern Ireland and InterTradeIreland highlighted the potential to accelerate innovation and support net-zero objectives.
Read More: Ireland Business and Government Updates
- Latest Irish government announcements and business news
- Ireland enterprise, economy and public policy coverage
Explore More: Sustainability and Enterprise News
- Sustainability, innovation and investment developments in Ireland
- More updates on Irish industry and climate action
How Businesses Can Apply
Eligible businesses in Ireland and Northern Ireland can find application guidance and further details through the Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland websites. Applicants should review the eligibility requirements, partnership expectations and relevant challenge area before preparing a proposal.
The launch marks a significant step in closer cooperation between Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland and InterTradeIreland. It builds on the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, which began in 2024 with programmes supporting women’s entrepreneurship, clustering and sustainable enterprise.
Conclusion
The Shared Island Sustainability Challenge Fund gives manufacturers an opportunity to collaborate on practical solutions for industrial decarbonisation. For eligible companies, the €26m Sustainability Fund could provide vital support to improve productivity, reduce environmental impact and help create a more competitive low-carbon economy across the island of Ireland.
Article/Image Courtesy: Enterprise Ireland
