By Helena Smith
Sunday June 17,2012
 |
Greece is trapped in its
worst economic crisis in
modern times
|
AN ALTERNATIVE currency has been introduced at the Greek port of Volos – bartering.
The initiative, which began two years ago, has
grown into a network of more than 900 members who exchange services or
products instead of euros.
At the town’s market every Saturday members use a ‘TEM’ coupon – one coupon is equivalent to one euro.
For
people like Katerina Galani, a 52-year-old mother-of-three from the
nearby village of Karamidi, the TEM has been a life-safer. “Every week I
set up a stall at the market to sell eggs,” said Katerina, who was at
the market yesterday. “I come with 200 and every time I sell three
that’s one TEM. Recently, I bought new tyres for my car which I would
otherwise not have been able to afford.”
With
Greece trapped in its worst economic crisis in modern times, people say
their alternative economy has been “hugely liberating.” The market does
a thriving business in everything from fruit and vegetables to
jewellery and jams and electrical appliances.
I come with 200 and every time I sell
three that’s one TEM. Recently, I bought new tyres for my car which I
would otherwise not have been able to afford
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Katerina Galani
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Shops, cafes and businesses also use the system – services include baby-sitting, gardening and healthcare.
TEM
is Greek shorthand for “Alternative Local Currency” although the system
operates without any paper scripts or metal coins changing hands.
The
system works with goods and services being given a value by the village
and priced in TEMs with each one worth the equivalent of a euro. Yiannis
Grigoriou, one of the system’s founders, said the TEM was about “hope.”
He added: “It is based 100 per cent on equality and transparency. With
the TEM nobody is exploited.” Source
