Wales has achieved another first. Alongside its world leading policy on sustainable development, written into the founding constitution of its National Assembly, it now hosts the Wales Institute for Community Currencies.
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John Rogers, Wales Institute of Community Currencies with Geoff Edge, University of Wales and Dr. Edgar Cahn, inventor of Time Dollars

Founder, John Rogers, says, ‘Community Currencies begin by seeing communities and people as full of assets rather than problems and set out to unlock their potential.’

The Institute that is working in partnership with the University of Wales, Time Banks UK and Valley Kids is already helping communities across the South Wales Valleys to set up Community Time Banks, which enable people to exchange their skills for time credits ñ one time credit for one hour. Credits can then be swapped for services or redeemed for sterling funded awards. Dr. Edgar Cahn, founder of Time Dollars in America and author of No More Throw Away People inspired guests at the launch of the Institute. He spoke eloquently about the core values, which underpin these systems, including reciprocity and the re-definition of work.

The Institute will learn from 20 years of experiences with Community Currencies around the world and hopes to pioneer a new generation of systems in community time centres, health, learning and the environment.
FURTHER INFORMATION : John Rogers, Project Coordinator, Wales Institute for Community Currencies, C/o Tradeteam, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, NP23 8XF.
Tel: 01495 350744
EMAIL: wicc@newport.ac.uk