A new funding programme from the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project, featuring Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland, has launched.

The Coast-to-Coast Capital Investment Scheme is seeking to enhance the travel experience and storytelling capabilities along the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland and the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland, encouraging visitors to explore both iconic tourist routes. This will be achieved by improving immersive experiences at existing visitor attractions.

The total budget for the scheme is €3 million (approximately £2.5 million). Out of this total fund, €1.5 million is available to support eligible projects in Ireland, and £1.25 million is available to support projects in Northern Ireland. The following levels of funding are available:

The minimum investment grant value available is £40,000 in Northern Ireland or €50,000 in Ireland for any one project under this scheme.
The maximum investment grant value is £250,000 in Northern Ireland or €300,000 in Ireland.

The maximum investment grant rate for all applicant projects will not exceed 80% of eligible capital expenditure.

The scheme is inviting applications from within the local authority areas of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council along the Causeway Coastal Route as well as counties Donegal, Sligo and parts of Leitrim on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Applications are invited from public, private and community/voluntary sector applicants. All applicants are required to evidence that:

The existing visitor attraction/experience has been operational since 1 March 2023.
The visitor attraction/experience is open to the public full time (five days per week, including weekends) for a minimum of five months of the year.
The visitor attraction currently employs a minimum of two full-time employees, ie Full-Time Equivalents.

Eligible project costs include interpretation planning and delivery, construction costs, and external consultant fees, excluding salaried staff.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 30 August 2024. For more information, please visit Shared Island Coast-to-Coast Capital Investment Scheme 2024 (tourismni.com)