The Folk Union is a cooperative standard for contemporary folk culture. It exists to support projects that treat people fairly, welcome others in and care for the places and traditions they’re intersted in and from. We believe that folk is at its best when it’s shared and open to all. By signing this Charter, a project shows its commitment to these simple principles and to contributing positively to the cultural commons.

Folk culture should be a living culture shaped by everyday people, and those who carry the Folk Union mark agree to keep their work accessible, welcoming and free of gatekeeping. Even though folk culture can be about national identity, it should  never be used to divide. This means that projects that sign the Charter reject racism, xenophobia and the use of “tradition” as a means of exclusion. The Folk Union mark signals an understanding that folk is made by many hands and should remain open to many voices.

Folk culture belongs to the commons. It shouldn’t be private or controlled. Projects commit to protecting this shared inheritance by crediting sources generously, acknowledging the communities that shape their work and avoiding the treatment of folk culture as a commodity. Good work treats people properly, and those who carry the mark value fairness, transparency and honesty. They aim to treat collaborators, participants and audiences with respect. This also includes fair fees where money is involved.

Folk and landscape are obviously very closely linked, and the Charter asks projects to show care for the land and the environment and to be mindful of the ecological impact of their work.

By signing this Charter, you show that you recognise folk as a living thing, as much about the present as it is the past. Projects commit to adding to this culture in ways that are thoughtful, ethical and imaginative and to avoid being extractive, exclusionary or nostalgic.

Above all, the Folk Union asks its signatories to uphold the spirit of the commons. Folk belongs to everyone, and those who carry the mark help keep it open. When we get together and organise, we can use our collective voice to promote and share these values. By signing this Charter, a project joins others working in goodwill toward a fair, inclusive and thoughtful contemporary folk culture.

UNITE AND UNITE! Folk is the Commons.