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Shared Island Enterprise Scheme

What is the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme?

In February 2024 the Irish Government announced €800m of funding for Shared Island priorities including €30m towards the establishment of a new Shared Island Enterprise Scheme developed by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. An element of this scheme is dedicated to fostering Female Entrepreneurship on an all-island basis. As part of this initiative, InterTradeIreland, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland, is inviting Expressions of Interest from potential delivery agents with experience in enterprise support initiatives tailored to meet the needs of female entrepreneurs.

The Expression of Interest is to participate in the first two phases of the scheme’s development;

  1. Funding for early pilot activities to be delivered on an all-island basis to help inform future programmes
  2. To apply your learnings to the development of a feasibility study for the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme for female entrepreneurship

How will the fund be used?


The fund and your participation within it will significantly contribute to the development of all-island collaborative projects aimed at advancing the female entrepreneurship ecosystem across the island. The initial fund for early pilot initiatives is valued at £250,000 / €292,250 and will deliver activities which support female entrepreneurs with either innovative business concepts or existing ventures with growth aspirations.

Pilot funding awarded to any potential delivery agent will depend on the merit of the proposal and the level of competition for the funds with Expressions of Interest being assessed against set criteria. Programme providers are expected to address startup challenges and facilitate the enhancement of business skills, including access to finance.

Moreover, an all-island programme should facilitate peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities across the island. Programme providers must avoid duplication of existing provision in the market. The feasibility phase will be procured separately and delivered directly by InterTradeIreland in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland.

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More Information

The call for expressions of interest for Shared Island has now closed.

For more information email us at: enterprisefund@intertradeireland.com.

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