Freitaler
The Freitaler is a regional currency in the Freiburg im Breisgau area and was launched in 2008 by the "Freitaler - Association for Sustainable Business" initiative motivated by the financial crisis in 2007 . The aim is to regionalize consumption in Freiburg and the surrounding area and make it more sustainable.
History and philosophy
On December 7th, 2004 the association “Breisgauer Regional e. V. - Association for Sustainable Business "founded by Johannes Weiermann, Peter Winkels and Karl Rahner. In the first statute it was stipulated that the association wanted to orient itself on the following points: Motivation and joy of the individual to promote regional economic cycles and to help shape them creatively and to do this in addition to the existing economic system. In addition, the responsibility towards nature, the values of democracy and the principles of freedom, equality and fraternity were the foundation of the association. In 2005, the name was changed to “FreiTaler - Association for Sustainable Economics e. V. ”changed. The principles of freedom, equality and brotherhood were declared to be the central theme. The association is committed to the pluralistic values of democracy, individual and community responsibility and the human right to free self-development of one's own abilities and needs in fair mutual competition. As a consequence, it was made clear in the amended preamble that the association explicitly differentiates itself from nationalistic or racist ideas and aspirations. On March 20, 2012, the association was given the current name "Freitaler eV".
functionality
The Freitaler can be exchanged for euros at five different issuing points at a ratio of 1: 1. It is recognized and passed on as a valid means of payment in around 70 cooperating shops and businesses. Ideally, both employees and suppliers are paid in Freitalers to keep the circulation going. The participating companies also have the option of exchanging Freitaler for euros. For the redemption, a fee of 2% of the redemption amount is due. On the one hand, this fee acts as an economic incentive not to interrupt the cycle. On the other hand, the money generated is used to support social projects in and around Freiburg. When exchanging euros for Freitaler, consumers can determine which initiative is funded.
advantages
The advantages of regional currencies such as the Freitaler are based on the three pillars of economic, ecological and social advantages. From an economic point of view, the Freitaler hurdles to let capital flow out of the region or into the financial markets. The purchasing power thus remains in the region and helps to close and strengthen geographically restricted economic cycles and can even secure or even enable local jobs if there is high demand. Since the consumption of regional products is supported, transport routes are shortened and thus CO 2 emissions are reduced. This makes consumption more ecological. The social advantage is hidden in the redemption fees that a company pays when it wants to redeem from Freitaler for euros. The fees are usually 2% of the redemption amount and are donated to social projects and initiatives in the Freiburg area. The funding projects are selected when users exchange euros for Freitaler. If a company wants to increase the number of donations, it can increase the redemption fee to 5%, 7% or 10%.
range
The forgery-proof notes are available with a value of one, two, five, ten and twenty euros and are provided with individual serial numbers. Every three years a new design of the Freitaler appears for additional protection. The notes were provided with various security features. The design of the notes comes from Sarah Hunger and Stefan Lautenschläger with photographs by David Lohmüller.
In order to offer consumers and companies more convenience in everyday use of the Freitaler, an electronic payment system, the so-called "E-Taler", is currently being planned.