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Concept
Chiemgauer
Summary
Chiemgauer is a regional local currency started in 2003 in Prien am Chiemsee, Bavaria, Germany. Named after the Chiemgau, a region around the Chiemsee lake, it is intended to increase local employment, supporting local culture, and make the local food supply more resilient. The Chiemgauer operates with a fixed exchange rate, tied to the value of the euro: 1 Chiemgauer = €1.
In 2003, Christian Gelleri, a high school teacher, started this project with his students, who are in charge of designing and printing vouchers and take care of administration, accounting, advertising, and other tasks. Chiemgauer is a member of a regional currencies' network called Regiogeld (regiomoney association). Gelleri had been inspired by the economists Silvio Gesell and Rudolf Steiner, and by the former's Freigeld.
The Chiemgauer is intended for:
Employment creation: unemployed, students, and volunteers are hired to work, earning some allowances
Promotion of cultural, educational and environmental activities: the Chiemgauer system supports nonprofits who work for such purposes
Promotion of sustainability: organic food and renewable energy among others
Strengthening the solidarity: enhancing the human relationship between local shoppers and businesses
Stimulation of local economy: The Chiemgauer retains purchasing power within the region better than the euro and favors local small businesses, stimulating transactions through demurrage.
Express-Money: Example for a complementary currency on a national level
In 2006, an electronic form of the Chiemgauer, the "eChiemgauer", was established. Bank accounts are used for operations; this has been made possible through cooperation with cooperative and local banks. Only businesses and nonprofits need additional electronic accounts, while consumers have the possibility to use electronic cards called "Regiocard". Two-thirds of Chiemgauer turnover is electronic. The demurrage is 6% per year (between 2003 and 2015: 8%).
Official source
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