Legal information, best practices, and supporting tools for time banks, local currencies, and barter exchanges.
Internat’l Models
Complimentary Currencies outside of US:
WIR – Switzerland’s complimentary currency, the Wirtschaftsring (Cercle Économique) or “Economic Circle,” founded in 1934, is referred to nowadays as the WIR-bank. The WIR is actually a centralized credit system for multilateral exchange, with no physical currency. (See also effect of WIR-Bank on Swiss economic stability, James Stodder)
Lewes Pound – launched in 2008 in the town of Lewes, England. It is a five year pilot project of Transition Lewes (part of the international Transition Town movement).
Totnes Pound
Bristol Pound
Brixton Pound
Calgary Dollars – launched in 2002 in the town of Calgary, Canada. It is a scrip pegged to the Canadian federal currency.
Toronto Dollars – launched in 1998 and can be purchased for $1 Canadian, with 10% of the price directed to local charity.
Salt Spring Dollars – launched in 2001 and are considered gift certificates equal in value to the Canadian dollar. 5% of purchase price is directed to local charities, and local businesses must pay a 5% deposit fee to encourage continual circulation of the currency.
Fureai Kippu: Largest time bank in the world, in Japan. You can earn credits by helping elderly, etc.
Banco Palmas: Very successful currencies issued and locally administered in Brazil, backed by local community agreeing to accept them, given to people as low or no interest loans.