About Us
WHO WE ARE
The Northern Ireland Investment Fund
The Northern Ireland Investment Fund (NIIF) provides debt funding for development projects that support economic growth, regeneration and the transition to a low‑carbon economy across Northern Ireland.
The Fund has £150m of capital, provided by the Northern Ireland Department of Finance, and is open for applications for viable projects that are unable to secure funding from traditional sources.
£150m
£3m–£30m
£178.5m
Our purpose
Unlocking development with lasting impact
The Northern Ireland Investment Fund aims to unlock development, creating long‑term impact to support projects that deliver lasting economic, environmental and social benefits for Northern Ireland. Investing in developments that create employment and economic growth, regenerate towns, cities and brownfield land, support energy efficiency and low‑carbon infrastructure and contribute to the long‑term resilience of the regional economy.
Our approach combines commercial discipline with a clear public‑interest in mind.
Eligibility
What we fund
The Fund provides debt funding for a wide range of development projects, including:
- Commercial property and Build to Rent Residential as part of mixed-use regeneration
- Hotel, leisure and tourism focused schemes
- Energy efficient and low-carbon infrastructure
- Office, industrial, logistics and employment-led developments
- Purpose-Built Student Accommodation as part of regeneration
- Renewable energy, heat networks and energy storage projects
All projects are assessed against the Fund’s regeneration, employment and low‑carbon objectives.
Funding structure
How the Fund operates
Debt Funding Only
The Fund provides commercial debt funding including senior debt, mezzanine finance and whole‑loan solutions. The Fund does not provide grant funding.
Loan Sizes
Individual loan sizes typically range from £3m to £30m, structured to meet the requirements of each viable development project.
Flexible Structuring
Funding can be structured alongside other public or private capital, where appropriate, to help bridge funding gaps in viable development projects.
Governance
Governance and management
The Northern Ireland Investment Fund is managed on behalf of the Northern Ireland Department of Finance and operates with a long‑term investment vision. The Fund is advised by CBRE’s Lending team, which is responsible for:
- Sourcing and evaluating potential investments
- Structuring funding solutions
- Managing and monitoring projects throughout the investment lifecycle
This structure ensures strong governance, commercial rigour and alignment with public‑sector objectives.
The Fund Advisory Team
The Fund is advised by senior members of CBRE’s Lending team, who bring extensive experience in structuring and managing development finance across the UK and Ireland.
Their role is to work closely with borrowers to assess viability, structure appropriate funding, and support successful project delivery.
CBRE IISL is a regulated arm of CBRE
