Other Community Currencies

One of the best ways to learn about the benefits and possibilities of community currencies is to hear some stories about them in action.

UK/Europe

Lewes Pound

Lewes PoundA UK Transition Town initiative based in Lewes, West Sussex.  UK Pound Sterling-backed vouchers that circulate within the Lewes town and district to stimulate small businesses and the regional economy. Started in 2008, now with 150 business members.

 

 

 

 

Totnes Pound 

totnespound One of several Transition Town initiatives throughout the UK – based in Totnes, Devon. UK Pound Sterling-backed vouchers that circulate within the Devon town and district to stimulate small businesses and the regional economy. Started in March 2007 now with 80 business members.

  

 

Brixton Poundbrixton-pound

Launching in September 2009 the Brixton Pound will be London’s first local currency backed by the national currency. Read on: Community Currency Blog

 

 

 

Chiemgauer

ChiemgauerOne of some 30 Regio (regional currencies) projects throughout Germany?Austria. It consists of Euro  (€) backed vouchers that circulate within the region to stimulate small businesses and the regional economy. Started by high-school students with their teacher in Jan 2003, with now 1300 individual and 600 business members.

2009 report: Chiemgauer Regiomoney: Theory and practice of a local currency by Christian Gelleri ( International Journal of Community Currency Research) Read the report at http://www.uea.ac.uk/env/ijccr/pdfs/IJCCRvol13(2009)pp61-75Gelleri.pdf

 

BerkShares

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Launched in 2006 in the Berkshire region of Massachusetts. Over one million BerShares circulated in the first nine months and over two million to date. More than 350 businesses have signed up to accept the currency. Five different banks have partnered with BerkShares, with a total of twelve branch offices now serving as exchange stations.

 

 

 

Ithaca Hours

f-eighthLaunched in 1991 in the New York State town of Ithaca, USA. About 500 businesses accept this currency with thousands of members. Over 100,000 Hours were in circulation by the end of 2005.

Calgary Dollars

calgary-dollarsCalgary Dollars commenced in its current form in 2002. It has over 400 members, 150 businesses, and 1100 listings. A partnership with the City of Calgary allows for the use of 100% Calgary Dollars to purchase city transit tickets and passes to use city pools and recreation facilities. Participating businesses include video rental, restaurant, grocery store, theater company, mechanic, dry cleaner, etc.

 

 

Salt Spring Dollars

canadapnl-10dollars-2002-saltspringisland_bA Canadian Initiative based in Salt Spring Island. Canadian Dollar-backed vouchers that circulate within the Island and district to stimulate small businesses and the regional economy. Started in 2001 now with 150 businesses and community organisation members.