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Coordination for Abundance: Commitment Pooling, Community Currencies, and the Future of Regenerative Economies

Reimagining How We Organize Society for a Thriving Future

To build a truly abundant and regenerative future, we must rethink how we organize ourselves as a society. Our current economic systems—driven by centralized financial institutions, extractive corporations, and state-run welfare—often fail to support resilient, self-sustaining communities.

However, alternative economic models are emerging that shift power back to the people. Commitment pooling, community currencies, cooperatives, and decentralized networks offer powerful frameworks for local economic transformation. By leveraging mutual aid, decentralized finance, and trust-based systems, communities can mobilize resources, exchange value efficiently, and create regenerative cycles of wealth—without relying on external aid or unstable national currencies.

At Living Earth, we believe that better coordination is the key to building regenerative local economies. This page explores how commitment pooling, decentralized organizations, and community-driven finance can help us design a more just, resilient, and abundant world.

The Problem: Why Our Current Economic Systems Fail Us

The modern economy operates in ways that exclude or exploit vast segments of the population, particularly in rural and informal sectors. Key issues include:

1. Dependence on External Capital

Most communities rely on banks, foreign aid, or loans to fund development, leaving them vulnerable to debt and external control.

2. Boom-and-Bust Cycles

The volatility of national currencies and corporate-driven economies causes economic instability, inflation, and financial crises.

3. Value Extraction Rather Than Circulation

Multinational corporations and financial institutions extract wealth from local communities, rather than keeping resources circulating within them.

4. Exclusion from Financial Systems

Many people, especially in rural areas, lack access to banking, credit, and fair economic opportunities, preventing them from growing their businesses or securing financial stability.

5. Environmental and Social Destruction

The current economic model prioritizes short-term profits over long-term sustainability, leading to degraded ecosystems, resource depletion, and wealth inequality.

Commitment Pooling: A Decentralized Model for Local Resilience

Commitment pooling is an alternative economic system where people pledge their skills, labor, goods, or services into a shared resource pool that allows them to trade, invest, and fund local projects—without relying on traditional currency. We strongly suggest you research the work of Will Ruddick and his Grassroots Economics movement in Kenya.

How Commitment Pooling Works

1. People Pledge Their Skills, Goods, or Services

• A farmer can contribute food, a carpenter can contribute labor, a teacher can offer lessons, etc.

2. A Shared Resource Pool Is Created

• Pledged resources are stored in a community registry or digital ledger and exchanged among members.

3. A Local Currency or Trust-Based System Facilitates Trade

• Instead of waiting for cash, people exchange commitments directly, using mutual credit, vouchers, or community tokens.

4. Projects and Businesses Get Funded Without External Capital

• Schools, farms, infrastructure, and businesses self-finance through community investment, rather than relying on banks or donors.

This model builds self-sufficiency, cooperation, and economic stability, ensuring that value remains within the community rather than being extracted.

Real-World Examples of Commitment Pooling and Alternative Economies

1. The Sarafu Network (Kenya): Community Currencies in Action

The Sarafu Network, pioneered by Grassroots Economics in Kenya, is one of the most successful implementations of commitment pooling and community currencies.

How It Works

• Sarafu (“currency” in Swahili) is a blockchain-based digital community currency that allows people to trade goods and services without needing cash.

• Farmers, shopkeepers, and service providers commit their products or skills to the network and receive Sarafu tokens in exchange.

• Communities create shared savings pools, funding projects like schools, farms, and water systems using Sarafu rather than relying on unstable national currency.

Why It Works

• Over 60,000 users participate in the network, making millions of transactions that sustain local economies.

• It provides financial inclusion to people without access to banks.

• It increases community resilience, ensuring trade and mutual aid continue even during crises.

Sarafu proves that when communities take ownership of their economies, they can create lasting prosperity.

2. Mondragon Cooperative (Spain): A Worker-Owned Economy

The Mondragon Corporation in Spain is one of the most successful worker-owned cooperative federations in the world.

How It Works

• Instead of prioritizing corporate shareholders, Mondragon operates as a network of 95 worker-owned cooperatives, where profits are reinvested into the community.

• Workers own the companies they work for, giving them democratic decision-making power.

• It has its own internal financial system that supports economic stability, even during crises.

Why It Works

• 80,000 worker-owners benefit from fair wages, job security, and economic resilience.

• Unlike traditional corporations, it doesn’t collapse during economic downturns—because decision-making is shared.

Mondragon proves that a cooperative economy can be competitive while prioritizing fairness and sustainability.

3. Premium Cola (Germany): A Radical Business Model

Premium Cola in Germany challenges corporate norms by running as a fully democratic, consensus-driven business.

How It Works

• Employees, suppliers, and customers vote on all major decisions—there is no CEO or hierarchy.

• Prices are determined by sustainability and fairness, rather than maximizing profits.

• The company operates transparently, ensuring ethical and social responsibility.

Why It Works

• It remains profitable while rejecting corporate greed.

• It proves that businesses can be run ethically without sacrificing success.

4. Trash for Bus Tickets (Brazil): Turning Waste into Value

In Curitiba, Brazil, a commitment pooling system was introduced to encourage waste collection while providing free transportation for low-income communities.

How It Works

• Residents collect recyclable waste and exchange it for bus tickets.

• This reduces waste, provides financial relief, and improves mobility.

Why It Works

• It solves multiple problems at once—waste management, urban poverty, and public transportation costs.

• It empowers people by turning waste into a valuable resource.

Scaling Commitment Pooling for a Regenerative Future

By integrating commitment pooling with cooperatives, DAOs, and community finance tools, we can build a regenerative economy that sustains both people and the planet.

Key Strategies for Scaling Commitment Pooling

✅ Create Local Commitment Pools – Encourage communities to pledge resources and skills instead of relying on money.

✅ Adopt Community Currencies – Reduce reliance on unstable national currencies.

✅ Implement DAOs for Transparent Decision-Making – Use blockchain technology to ensure fair and democratic governance. Living Earth itself is spear-heading a similar model mixed with the structure of a traditional Pty. Learn more about our governance model here.

✅ Fund Regenerative Projects Collectively – Support local food, water, and energy systems through community-led finance.

A Future of Abundance: Let’s Build It Together

By embracing commitment pooling, cooperative businesses, DAOs, and community currencies, we can create thriving local economies that serve people and the planet—not just financial markets.

Join the Movement

Get involved today! Whether you want to start a commitment pool, launch a community currency, or build a cooperative business, we’re here to support you.

👉 Get in touch, join a local initiative, or start experimenting with commitment pooling today!

How Community Currencies Strengthen National Economies: Global Examples

Far from weakening national governments, community currencies act as stabilizers, ensuring that trade continues during financial crises, strengthening local businesses, and reducing reliance on unstable national currencies. Many countries, including Switzerland, Germany, the UK, Brazil, and Japan, have successfully integrated local currencies alongside their national economies to boost resilience and economic participation.

Here are some real-world examples of community currencies that have successfully complemented national economies:

1. WIR Bank (Switzerland): The Oldest and Most Successful Community Currency

• Founded: 1934

• Region: Switzerland

• Purpose: To help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) survive economic downturns by providing an alternative trade and credit system.

How It Works:

• The WIR currency (CHW) runs parallel to the Swiss franc and is used by over 60,000 businesses.

• Businesses trade using WIR, which reduces their dependence on bank loans and national currency fluctuations.

• It helps stabilize the Swiss economy during crises by ensuring continuous trade and business transactions.

Why It Strengthens the Nation:

✅ Supports SMEs, which are the backbone of the Swiss economy.

✅ Keeps businesses running during financial downturns, reducing government intervention.

✅ Strengthens local supply chains, reducing economic reliance on foreign capital.

2. Chiemgauer (Germany): A Regional Currency That Boosts Local Businesses

• Founded: 2003

• Region: Bavaria, Germany

• Purpose: To support local businesses and increase economic circulation within the region.

How It Works:

• People can exchange euros for Chiemgauer at a 1:1 rate.

• Chiemgauer loses value over time if not spent (a concept called “demurrage”), which encourages rapid circulation.

• Accepted by over 600 businesses, keeping wealth circulating within the region.

Why It Strengthens the Nation:

✅ Encourages spending at local businesses rather than multinational corporations.

✅ Reduces economic stagnation by keeping money moving.

✅ Supports community initiatives, as a portion of currency exchanges goes to local non-profits.

3. Bristol Pound (UK): Localizing Trade in a Major City

• Founded: 2012 (replaced by the Bristol Pay system in 2021)

• Region: Bristol, UK

• Purpose: To boost the local economy by ensuring that money stays within Bristol.

How It Worked:

• Businesses accepted Bristol Pounds as payment, reducing leakage of money to national and international chains.

• The local government accepted taxes in Bristol Pounds, integrating it into the official economy.

Why It Strengthened the Nation:

✅ Supported small businesses and local producers, reducing economic inequality.

✅ Helped retain wealth in Bristol, reducing the burden on national economic support systems.

✅ Encouraged public participation in economic decision-making, strengthening democracy.

4. Palmas (Brazil): A Community Currency Fighting Poverty

• Founded: 1998

• Region: Fortaleza, Brazil

• Purpose: To promote economic activity in poor communities by enabling trade even when cash is scarce.

How It Works:

• Residents can earn and spend Palmas at local stores, co-ops, and service providers.

• The Palmas Bank provides micro-loans in Palmas, helping small businesses grow.

• The local economy thrives even during national financial instability.

Why It Strengthens the Nation:

✅ Reduces poverty by ensuring trade can happen even when people lack national currency.

✅ Supports local entrepreneurship, reducing unemployment.

✅ Works alongside Brazil’s national economy, rather than against it.

5. Fureai Kippu (Japan): A Social Currency for Elderly Care

• Founded: 1995

• Region: Japan

• Purpose: To address Japan’s aging population by incentivizing elder care through community service exchanges.

How It Works:

• Volunteers earn Fureai Kippu credits by helping elderly people with daily tasks (shopping, cleaning, companionship).

• These credits can be saved for future personal use, given to family members, or exchanged for services.

• It reduces dependence on government-run eldercare programs while ensuring high-quality care.

Why It Strengthens the Nation:

✅ Reduces government spending on elderly care while improving quality.

✅ Encourages community-driven solutions to social challenges.

✅ Supports family structures and intergenerational care, reinforcing cultural values.

Why Community Currencies Strengthen Nations Instead of Weakening Them

1. They Complement National Currencies, Not Replace Them

Community currencies do not compete with national money—they fill gaps where traditional economies fail. Governments that support local currencies benefit from stronger regional economies and reduced reliance on welfare systems.

2. They Reduce the Burden on National Governments

By helping local businesses, increasing employment, and fostering social resilience, these systems reduce the need for government intervention, allowing national resources to be allocated more effectively.

3. They Increase National Tax Revenue

• Successful community businesses pay national taxes, contributing to government income.

• Money that stays in the country (instead of flowing to multinational corporations) boosts national GDP.

4. They Improve Social Stability and Reduce Inequality

• Local economic participation prevents wealth from being concentrated in a few hands, reducing social unrest.

• More people being financially included means fewer government bailouts and subsidies are needed.

5. They Create Resilient, Crisis-Proof Economies

• When national currencies crash or experience inflation, community currencies ensure trade continues, reducing economic shocks.

• During crises (such as COVID-19), local trade networks using alternative currencies helped communities survive where national systems failed.

The Future: Governments and Communities Working Together

Forward-thinking governments recognize that local economic empowerment leads to national strength. By integrating community currencies and cooperative economic models, nations can:

🔹 Support small businesses and job creation

🔹 Reduce reliance on foreign aid and multinational corporations

🔹 Increase tax revenue while lowering social welfare costs

🔹 Build resilience against financial crises

Instead of being threats to national economies, community currencies and commitment pooling are tools that strengthen them. Governments that embrace local economic innovations will build stronger, more resilient nations where people thrive—not just survive.

🌍 Want to bring community currencies and commitment pooling to your region? Let’s work together to build regenerative economies that serve both people and planet.

👉 Get in touch, start a local initiative, or experiment with alternative economies today!