Local Currencies

The theory, history, and practice of the New Economics Institute's work with local currencies is detailed in Local Currencies: Catalysts for Sustainable Regional Economies. Additionally, Bob Swann, founder of the E. F. Schumacher society, wrote several clear, compelling essays on local currencies, which can be found here.

BerkShares are a local currency for the Berkshire region of Massachusetts. Dubbed a "great economic experiment" by the New York Times, BerkShares are a tool for community empowerment, enabling merchants and consumers to plant the seeds for an alternative economic future for their communities. Launched in the fall of 2006, BerkShares had a robust initiation, with over one million BerkShares having been circulated in the first nine months and over 3.3 million as of March 2012.

View television coverage of BerkShares
View print coverage (international, national and regional)
In June of 2004 the New Economics Institute convened the conference Local Currencies in the 21st Century. The conference report and UTNE Reader article provide details on this landmark event, described by Pete Seeger as "the best conference he had ever attended."

Reference Materials for Creating a Local Currency:

Legal Issues
Related Articles and Studies
Local Currency Directories
- Directory of Active Programs
- Directory of Programs In-Planning and Retired
Time Banks
WIR
Other Resources
Local Currency Essays by Bob Swann
Media Coverage of Local Currencies

In special honor of Chris Bedford we present a video he created for us; "Coming Home"