Workshop COMPLEMENTARY CURRENCIES Monday 26 March 2014 – 14 & 15 pm Iers College, Leuven Hugo Wanner

MUNT SLAAN UIT AFVAL (=COINAGE USING GARBAGE) MUNICIPALITIES OFFERING A COMPLEMENTARY CURRENCY SCHEME TO STIMULATE SUSTAINABLE BEHAVIOUR

collects garbage for people is active in 44 municipalities collected tonnes (1 year rest-fraction); house to house treated in total tonnes of garbage reforested 35 hectares the last 10 years and continues this to reduce CO2-emission in the athmosphere runs 10 recycling sites for 12 municipalities Limburg.net is the biggest player in Flanders! Public service corporation ‘Limburg.net’ LIMBURG.NET IN NUMBERS

DARE TO THINK DIFFERENT SOLVING OUR (WASTE) PROBLEMS

Worldwide several thousands of complementary currency schemes are in operation. Commercial goals … Frequent flyer miles (loyalty, empty seats) COMMUNITY OR COMPLEMENTARY CURRENCIES Unused means or idle capacity Unfulfilled needs

o Municipal saving and rewarding system o Inhabitants earn ‘points’ with their durable behaviour o … and spend these ‘points’ on other durable behaviour or consumption Points are local complementary currency o 100 points = 1 euro o Influence behaviour via reward instead of subsidies o Community currency as a complement, not replacement of the euro Community currency E-WALLET = ?

HOW THIS WORKS?

Which ‘durable behaviour’ will be rewarded by the local authority? Municipality and/or Limburg.net decide about actions and conditions [provincial authority will join = press conference april 2nd] e-wallet is a strong tool for local policy Attractive and dynamic list of actions/products Manuals and ICT support, templates for communication Earn and redeem points HOW DOES IS WORK?

o Electronic identitycard (like smart card) (eID) o Card to authenticate the user o No information is stored on the eID o All transactions online (administrative tasks) o Public website -> webshop Digital HOW DOES IT WORK? – WHAT WILL IT COST? Budget and workload o Marginal cost kept low o Examples: entrance to swimming pool, cultural events, sports infrastructure o Expenditure between 0,1 and 0,4 euro/inhabitant/y. o Average 0,2 euro/inhabitant (+ possible refund through ‘Prevention fund’) o Civil servant: on average 10% FTE (different per municipality)

RESULTS

Who joined the scheme? RESULTS From 2014: Beringen, Genk, Hasselt, … Province of Limburg

55 different actions Examples: Participate ‘remove litter action’ Composting at home Bring used stuff to the second hand shop Solar panels Cycling to local shops (Belgerinkel) Reduced water and energy consumption Use public transport (de Lijn, NMBS) FSC labeled wood, ecological painting Sterilization of cat or dog Earning points RESULTS (2)

 Annual municipal campaigns  Ban publicity sticker, tension of tires  Unsubscribe from the yellow pages  Collect litter weekend  Chicken: kitchen waste turned into eggs  Advantage of collective campaigns  Press coverage  Extra attention for ‘e-wallet’  Increase in participation Co-ordinated activities RESULTAAT (3)

43 products or activities Examples: o Energy saving light bulbs o Train & bus tickets o Entrance swimming pool o Music and movies at the library o Second hand shop, cultural events, … o Local shopping voucher o Birdhouse Spending points RESULTS (4)

OTHER EXAMPLES

TOREKES RABOT (GENT) Revive the neighbourhood Improve social cohesion Stimulate local economy

Presentation of a manuel by the minister April 1st Sint-Niklaas

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