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Money not only dominates the economy, but many areas of our society, our relationships, and even our thinking. Ester Barinaga argues that it is not “money itself,” but rather its architecture — meaning the design of currencies and their governance structures — that lies at the root of many current challenges, from unsustainable growth and rising inequality to the erosion of democracy. Complementary currencies (CCs) open up new possibilities for building socio-economic resilience. In her talk, she presents examples of CCs that have been implemented to reduce inequality through the use of a universal basic income.

We also discussed, among others, the following questions:

What can complementary currencies (CCs) contribute to strengthening socio-economic and regional resilience?
What recommendations can be made for European countries and the EU regarding the potential of CCs?
What potential do CCs have to improve the relationship between the economy (especially the financial sector) and democracy?

About the author:

Ester Barinaga is Professor of Social Entrepreneurship at Lund University (Sweden) and Professor with Special Responsibilities at the Department of Business Humanities and Law (BHL) at Copenhagen Business School (Denmark). Her research focuses on concepts, strategies, methods, and practices used by social entrepreneurs to drive societal change. She currently focuses in particular on complementary currencies as instruments for building sustainable economies, inclusive cities, and resilient communities.

About the publication:

Remaking Money for a Sustainable Future is available free of charge as a PDF under the CC-BY-NC-ND license.

CoFi Gatherings bring together a vibrant mix of veterans and new voices in alternative economics for a week-long intensive at the Commons Hub in the Austrian alps.

We believe deeper collaboration results when people have the chance to engage intellectually as well as unwind and spend down time together—whether by hiking the Rax, soaking in the “liquidity pool” hot tub, or sharing ideas by the fire.

This year we will dive deeper into alternative financial systems and create space for participants to design for real-world challenges and advance ongoing projects along 5 daily themes:

Cosmo-Local Infrastructure
Mechanisms
Implementation Strategy
System Analysis
Experiential Learning

More information and registration on event website: https://www.collaborative-finance.net/

The Ramics research association focuses on studying monetary innovation and community and complementary currency systems. Since 2011, the network has met every two years to share experiences, ideas, and practices on complementary currencies.

In a global context marked by growing mistrust in governments and widening gaps between local and central institutions, complementary and community currencies have emerged as innovative tools to rebuild social and economic connections. Across the world, these initiatives foster solidarity, inclusion, and resilience by creating local exchange systems and sustainable models of development rooted in community participation. Numerous experiences have been developed in different regions, each with distinct characteristics, objectives, and institutional arrangements.

Beyond their economic function, these currencies serve as instruments of social innovation and democratic experimentation. They encourage collective governance, stimulate local entrepreneurship, and strengthen citizens’ capacity to act within and beyond traditional market logics. By doing so, they invite a rethinking of value, cooperation, and sustainability in contemporary economies, aligning financial practices with broader social and environmental goals.

The 8th Biennial RAMICS Conference, entitled “Plurality of Social Currencies: Solidarity Economy, Municipal and Community Currencies for Inclusive and Sustainable Futures,” seeks to deepen and enrich the debate on these initiatives. Through lectures by national and international experts, presentation of academic research and experience reports, and field trips, the event aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and exchange of experiences, contributing to the advancement of discussions on solidarity economy, local development, and financial inclusion.

More information on the conference website: https://ramics2026.sciencesconf.org/.

It may look like play money – but you can actually use it to buy things. At least within a special region in Bavaria, Germany. The “Chiemgauer” is supposed to strengthen the local economy and cut CO2 emissions at the same time. Does it work?

Reporter: Jonas Mayer
Camera: Florian Kroker
Video Editor: David Jacobi
Supervising Editors: Kiyo Dörrer, Malte Rohwer-Kahlmann
Factcheck: Kirsten Funck
Thumbnail: Em Chabridon

Read more: More on the Chiemgauer: https://www.chiemgauer.info/
More on the Mumbuca: https://www.bancomumbuca.com.br/
More on the Vilawatt: https://www.viladecans.cat/en/vilawatt
More on the Plastic Bank: https://plasticbank.com/
Ester Barinaga’s book about “remaking money”: https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.5…

Chapters:

00:00 Intro
00:30 The Chiemgauer
03:15 The money in action
04:54 The global picture
06:09 How the Chiemgauer is cutting Co2
07:42 Conclusion

Online Book Presentation:

Remaking Money for a Sustainable Future by Prof. Ester Barinaga, Lund University (Sweden)

March 26, 2026 from 5 pm to 6.30 pm

Money dominates not only the economy, but many areas of our society, our relationships and even our thinking. Ester Barinaga argues that it is not „money per se“, but its architecture, the design of currencies and its governance structures that is at the root of many current challenges, from unsustainable growth to rising inequality and the erosion of democracy. Complementary currencies (CC) open up new possibilities to build socio-economic resilience. In her lecture, she will present examples of CCs implemented to reduce inequality through the introduction of unconditional basic income.

We would like to discuss questions like:

What can complementary currencies (CC) do for strengthening socio-economic and regional resilience?

What would you recommend for European Countries and the EU regarding the potential of CCs?

What is the potential of CCs to better the relationship between the economy (especially the financial sector) and democracy?

Monneta invites you to discuss these and other questions with the author. Conference language is English. Participation is free of charge. Donations are welcome. Please register here for the zoom-conference and share this invitation widely.

About the author:

Ester Barinaga is Professor of Social Entrepreneurship at Lund University (Sweden), and Professor (with special responsibilities) in the Department of Business Humanities and Law (BHL) at Copenhagen Business School (CBS, Denmark). Her research focuses on concepts, strategies, methods and practices social entrepreneurs use to advance social change. Currently, she focuses on

complementary currencies as instruments to build sustainable economies, inclusive cities, and resilient communities.

The Digital Euro Between Monetary Sovereignty and Strategic Autonomy:

In this online lecture from September 4, 2025, Dr. Carola Westermeier, Head of the research group “Technology and Sovereignty” at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies in Cologne, discusses the latest developments surrounding the Digital Euro and its geopolitical significance.

Against the backdrop of increasingly unpredictable global crises and the question of how the EU can become more independent from US payment systems such as PayPal, Apple Pay, or Mastercard, Westermeier outlines the opportunities, challenges, and political implications associated with the introduction of the Digital Euro, and reflects on the next meaningful steps for Europe.

The lecture runs until minute 62 and is followed by an open discussion with the participants.

Please note: The English subtitles were generated using AI.

If you are interested in receiving the presentation slides, please contact: info@monneta.org

More information about ZEVEDI is available here: https://zevedi.de/

The interdisciplinary summer university „Alternative Economic and Monetary Systems (AEMS)” (5 ECTS) focuses on alternatives to the economic status quo: International participants deal with limits of growth, as well as the instabilities of our financial system and learn why a drastic system change is necessary to stabilize the world climate. The program offers a holistic approach, with the participants learning about many possible alternatives and reform proposals: heterodox economics, ethical banking, degrowth, sovereign money and more!

AEMS is an academic summer university program with a global following and held in English.
Since 2014, the program counts more than 500 alumni of 85 nationalities.

The program will take place again in Vienna from July 13-31, 2026!
Applications are open! – More information and application form can be found here.

Target group

The program is open to students and professionals from all fields who strive to create a more just and green future. Are you looking for a unique educational program with a holistic approach to the topic?

Early Bird Deadline: March 8, 2026!
There is also a limited number of scholarships available – application deadline: April 30, 2026

The flyer for the 2026 summer school can be downloaded here (PDF).

Join a unique event that marks a turning point in the journey of time banks and non-monetary exchange systems. This international congress brings together researchers, professionals, and active participants from projects related to the concept of value-time, to share knowledge, experiences, and future perspectives.

Will Ruddick of Grassroots Economics presents his new book for monneta.

Throughout the video Will describes various forms of resource coordination, as does his newly published book (free PDF for download here). This field guide begins with a look at how social systems naturally coordinate their resources like fungal networks (mycelia) – in a symbiotic and resilient way. In Kenya, for example, Ruddick explored how so-called ‘pools of commitments’ can replace or supplement money by uniting people with a common goal. He recognises that each of us has the potential for prosperity within us, but that this potential can only truly unfold in community – an open space based on reciprocity and trust. His book is not intended to be an answer, but an invitation – an invitation to discover new (and old) ways of coordinating resources, restoring trust and creating economic systems that serve the common good.During our book-launch on the 29th of April 2025, we discussed, among others, the following questions with him:How has his thinking evolved since the introduction of the Bangla Pesa community currency (2012)?What role do protocols play? And how can they be shared via digital ledger systems? What insights can communities gain from the work of Grassroots Economics?

Note: The subtitles for the video were automatically generated and not proofread.

October 27–28, 2025 | Athénée Municipal, Bordeaux (France)

Ahead of the Global Social and Solidarity Economy Forum (GSEF, October 29–31, 2025), the first-ever European meeting on complementary local currencies will take place. Over two days, representatives of local currencies, municipal decision-makers, actors from the social and solidarity economy, and interested participants from across Europe will come together to share experiences, learn from one another, and develop joint perspectives.

This meeting is organized by Mouvement Sol (the French federation of local currencies), the Network of Local Authorities for a Solidarity Economy (RTES), La Gemme (the local currency of Gironde), and the City of Bordeaux, in collaboration with several European local currencies and national networks such as the Observatori de la moneda complementària (Catalonia, Spain) and Financité (the Belgian federation for ethical finance).

The event will offer:

An overview of the state of local currencies in Europe
Case studies of successful and less successful projects
Thematic workshops on financing, digitalization, cooperation, and political advocacy
Opportunities for networking and discussions on a potential European platform for local currencies

Participation: Free of charge with prior registration. Participants will receive discounted access (from €100 in presale) to GSEF 2025.

Target audience: Representatives of local currencies, municipalities, the social and solidarity economy, as well as interested institutions.

More information and registration available on the Mouvement Sol website.

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Negative interest or demurrage – what is that?

Book presentation: Remaking Money for a Sustainable Future

4th Collaborative Finance Gathering

8th Biennial RAMICS International Congress in Brazil

Inside the German town where people print their own money

Chapters:

Event archive: Online Book Presentation: Remaking Money for a Sustainable Future | Prof. Ester Barinaga

We would like to discuss questions like:

About the author:

The Digital Euro – Between Monetary Sovereignty and Strategic Autonomy (English subtitles)

Summer University „Alternative Economic and Monetary Systems (AEMS)”

Event archive: First International Congress for Networks of Time-Exchange Systems

Will Ruddick ‘Grassroots Economics’ | Online Book Presentation

Event archive: First European Meeting on Complementary Local Currencies in Bordeaux

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