This is NPO funding, which means National Portfolio Organisations. These are the organisations that are core funded by the Arts Council for periods of 3 years at a time, after which they must re apply. They used to be called Regularly Funded Organisations. EFDSS has been one for a few years. Their funding has been increased from around £300k per year to around £450k per year. Their increase over the next few years is partly in order to fund a national youth folk ensemble.

So my question still stands - what about the ensembles that already exist? Will EFDSS be working with them? Also what does this mean for funding to other folk organisations around the country? Are they enjoying support from Arts Council, or is it putting all its eggs in the one (London based) basket?