Council Secures New Cross Border Project Partners Under Shared Island Local Authority Development Funding Scheme

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council will benefit from funding supplied though the Shared Island Local Authority Development Funding Scheme for Cross Border Initiative Schemes.

Following announcement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD on Thursday 29 September, more than €4.3m has been allocated to 15 lead Local Authorities in the South, working in partnership with nine Councils in Northern Ireland to develop 25 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; 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.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “We have a long standing partnership with local authorities developing cross border initiative schemes and we are delighted that the award from Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD will benefit our tourism industry across Newry, Mourne and Down and contribute to the Shared Island vision of communities North and South working together on shared opportunities.”

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.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD  continued, “Local Authorities in the border region have long-standing partnerships with their Northern counterparts, which I hope will be further enhanced through schemes such as this, and it is 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 which have been awarded funding under the Shared Island Local Authority Funding Scheme. It is 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, 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”.