Coimisiún na Meán is today (21.05.2026) calling for applications for the first ‘Shared Island Shared Stories’ funding round. The funding round, operated under An Coimisiún’s Sound & Vision Scheme and part of the Shared Island Media Fund, is for broadcasters and independent producers and will support the creation of high-quality programming for television and radio that promotes cultural exchange, exploration of the island’s heritage and cross-border collaboration.
Funding of €14 million for Coimisiún na Meán’s Shared Island Media Fund is provided by the Government’s Shared Island Initiative. €4 million of the Fund will be made available for this round of the ‘Shared Island Shared Stories’ initiative.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “The stories we tell help shape who we are. We live on a shared island, home to a wealth of culture, creativity, traditions and heritage. This new ‘Shared Island, Shared Stories’ funding round, supported by the Government’s Shared Island Initiative, offers support for broadcasters and independent producers to explore the richness, diversity and shared elements of the island of Ireland, deepening understanding across communities and helping build a shared future.”
Rónán Ó Domhnaill, Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán said: “Through the ‘Shared Island, Shared Stories’ funding round we want to stimulate the creation of new content, strengthen talent and enable collaboration in the media across the island of Ireland. We are looking to fund productions that will bring the objectives of the Shared Island Media Fund to life, telling stories that promote cultural exchange, celebrate both our shared and diverse heritages and foster deeper cooperation and mutual understanding between communities across the island.”
“In delivering this work, we are committed to engaging in a way that reflects the diverse identities, traditions and professional contexts across the island, supporting inclusive collaboration North and South. We encourage applicants to think creatively, collaborate meaningfully, and put forward proposals that will resonate with audiences across the island.”
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD said: “Storytelling has always been a powerful way of building understanding across communities, and the ‘Shared Island Shared Stories’ initiative recognises the unique role that broadcasters, producers and creators play in reflecting the richness of life across this island.
“I welcome the dedication Coimisiún na Meán has shown in delivering on the €14 million Shared Island Media Fund. Through the Government’s broader Shared Island initiative, this important fund is supporting ambitious and meaningful collaborations that help to ensure audiences North and South can see their stories and their identities reflected on screen and on air.
“I encourage the sector to engage fully with this opportunity and I look forward to seeing and hearing some exceptional creative projects that I’m sure will resonate with communities across the island.”
Three dedicated ‘Shared Island Shared Stories’ funding rounds over 2026 – 2028 will support television and radio programming that reflects life across the island of Ireland and helps deepen understanding between communities.
Applications to the ‘Shared Island Shared Stories’ round must clearly demonstrate how the proposed project contributes to the objectives of the Shared Island Media Fund which are to strengthen cooperation and understanding across the island, deepen cultural and creative exchange, and reflect the experiences and diverse and shared heritages of communities across the island. All proposals must align with the existing requirements and objectives of the Sound & Vision Scheme. The Scheme accepts a range of genres such as Arts/Culture, Children’s, History/Heritage and Contemporary Society, as well as different formats including animation, documentary and drama.
Prospective applicants can access the relevant Guides and Forms for Round 60 via www.cnamonline.ie . All applications must be submitted via www.cnamonline.ie. This round closes at 12 noon on Thursday, 02 July 2026. Decisions are expected by the end of September 2026.
A webinar for prospective applicants will take place on MS Teams at 12 noon on Wednesday 27 May 2026. Applicants are invited to register for the event.