Barcelona Time Banks Fuel Economic Growth

With the crisis, shrinking salaries, and high unemployment rate, people are searching for new systems to enrich their lives. The Time Bank, an alternative monetary system, is a great platform to start creating value and, even better, actively share your knowledge, expertise and capabilities. It fosters community and economic growth and stimulates caring and social connections, which can result in new job creation and personal accomplishments. The leading principles for Time Banking were formulated by Edgar Cahn, author of No More Throw-Away People, which describes his journey of turning Time Credits into a successful economic currency and a new social philosophy called Co-Production. In order to participate and profit from time banking you need the following mindset:

• Everyone is an asset;
• Some work is beyond a monetary value;
• Reciprocity in helping;
• Social networks are necessary;
• A respect for all human beings.

Time Banking is not a new phenomenon, in Barcelona the first time banks where started back in 1998.  Today, you can find a Banc del Temps in each Barcelona neighborhood and they even organize their own annual conference.

What’s more, is that large corporate organizations are beginning to embrace this system as well.  Infojobs recently launched the Prepárate Banco del tiempo as a means to help job seekers enrich their skills. On this platform, you will find at least 275 requests, from language tutors to improving your CV to advice in using social media tools. Currently, they make a distinction of 11 categories in which people can offer their expertise and ask for help. Additionally, some innovative projects are being promoted, where you can  invest your time to help it flourish. So, if you are searching for something new to learn and want to share your own assets, give it a try. Spend some time.

This is just one of the initiatives currently in place to go beyond money. Check out some others at  Vivir sin empleo and Salut i Familia.