Who We Are

Services Provided


Eko Community Currency


Community Investment
Phoenix Community Stores
Findhorn Foundation
Findhorn Wind Park
Ecovillage


How To Invest


Grant Aided Projects


Links


Registered Office:
Ekopia Resource Exchange Ltd
The Park, Findhorn,
Moray, IV36 3TZ,
Scotland.

Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1309 691258

Registered in Scotland under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965.
Number 2574RS

Email us...

With the support of the Hygeia Foundation, Ekopia launched a new community currency in May 2002 - the Eko.

It began with a 'trial period' during which various community organisations including the Phoenix Shop, Findhorn Bay Caravan Park, the Green Room Café, and the Findhorn Foundation all agreed to accept the Eko notes in exchange for any good or service rendered. There is nothing preventing anyone else accepting them, and indeed since the launch, a number of additional community traders have enrolled as well.

Since this successful trial, 15-20,000 Ekos have been in permanent circulation and we are now into a third issue (due to expire on 28 February 2011). Total trading turnover of the notes has exceeded £400,000 to date, and several new traders have started accepting the currency. As a result of the surpluses created we will be able to make a grants of £500 each to the community Festivals Group and the Youth Project.

The issue is at par with sterling i.e. 1 Eko = £1, and notes are in one, five, ten and twenty denominations. Individuals may not redeem the notes in sterling from Ekopia, although traders may redeem the Eko currency in sterling from Ekopia according to certain set criteria.

From the sale of the notes to community members, Ekopia has made low interest loans to various community organisations. These loans will be repaid prior to the expiry date of their particular issue.

Visitors can receive the notes in a number of ways, including purchasing Ekos from the Findhorn Bay Holiday Park reception and the Visitors Centre.


Aims of the Eko Currency Issue

1. To provide low cost financing for new projects through low interest loans and surpluses generated by the currency project itself.
   
2. To enable existing businesses to make savings on bank charges (surprisingly perhaps, this benefit outweighs the value of the low cost financing), and to stimulate trade amongst community business, residents and visitors.
   
3. To promote these businesses and projects, and the Ecovillage in general as a place of innovation and sustainable economies.
   
4. To inspire both guests and residents with the demonstration value of a locally based currency, and to get the users thinking about how and where they spend their money.
   
5. To create gift capital for local businesses and projects.