Gironde. To save their small businesses, these residents have an atypical solution

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Here is a great civic and 100% local approach! It is in a process of reappropriation of the monetary tool and promotion of the local economy that the La Gemme currency was created in Gironde in 2022. Aurore Bonneau, coordinator of the eponymous association, said more for the Republican South-Gironde.

Keeping wealth in place

The initial idea was to create a means of payment specific to the Gironde territoryusable exclusively on a local scale. “The objective is to preserve wealth on site and to boost consumption from local traders and producers,” explains Aurore Bonneau.

Framed by a 2014 law, these local complementary currencies are strictly attached to a defined territory. Their use is conditional on the creation of a guarantee fund, and they cannot travel outside their area. Today, there are around 80 in France.

In Gironde, the first initiatives date back to 2014 with the Miel and Ostria currencies, carried by volunteers. After a period of decline, the two associations merged in 2019 to give birth to La Gemme.

The currency exists in the form of notes, with a value of 1 to 33 gems, indexed at parity with the euro. A dematerialized version is also available via a mobile application. “To use it, you just need to be a member of our association,” explains the coordinator.

One hundred thousand gems are already in circulation

170 professionals from all sectors are already members of the network, and a partnership has been established with all the tourist offices in the Entre-deux-Mers region. “With a background as an upholsterer, this activity corresponds to my values ​​of proximity and short circuits,” confides Aurore Bonneau. “By creating this virtuous loop of local reuse, we hope bring a little resilience to residents. »

One hundred thousand gems are already in circulation in participating businesses. A drop of water, waiting for local dynamics are gaining momentum. Subscriptions for 2025 are already available and usable. Enjoy!

With Véronique Cherpantier

Site internet : https://lagemme.org

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