About Us
Pioneering complementary currencies

LETSLINK UK keeps the only comprehensive national database of schemes throughout the UK, and has put thousands of people in touch with their nearest local LETS.

     LETSLINK UK was founded in 1991 as the world's first national LETS development agency and network. It is a nonprofit voluntary agency with charitable objectives, which has been dedicated to testing, researching and developing sustainable models for local and community-based LETS and complementary currencies.

     LETSLINK's national adviceline has serviced 50,000 enquiries and developed the model rules, materials, back-up and 'best practice' guidelines used by its 450 UK LETS schemes and subscribers. In 1994 LETS received the first Schumacher Award for 'a triumph of voluntary effort' in its development of LETS throughout Britain.LETSLINK remains the national lead body supporting local groups, representing LETS in the media, to national organisations and government, organising UK conferences, trainings and seminars, advising, networking and developing new forms of LETS for the health services, local food producers, local authorities and 'third' sector' community economic initiatives.

     LETSLINK's aim is to empower and inform people and organisations of all kinds by providing appropriate, practical and ethical guidelines on how to organise and develop their own local exchange schemes.

     Based on co-operative principles the UK's LETS schemes are revitalising community, dissolving barriers of social and financial exclusion, offering new opportunity for all, enhancing people's skills, supporting local economies and benefiting the environment.

     LETSLINK's 'UK Model LETS' embody the 'new localism' and inclusive spirit of sustainable local regeneration initiatives - appropriate, participative, community-led development; democratic self-management; mutuality, responsibility and accountability to the community as a whole.

     In their major report, 'Bringing Britain Together', the Prime Minister's flagship Social Exclusion Unit put LETS at the top of their agenda for neighbourhood and community economic renewal.

     Tony Blair has also endorsed LETS as "showing the way" in his recent speech to the NCVO, for rebuilding human and social capital and "making the links between rebuilding communities and rebuilding economic opportunity."

     LETSLINK is currently working to amend social security regulations for LETS with the Ministers for Employment and Social Security, with the support of MP Linda Gilroy and her Parliamentary Group for LETS.

     Community currencies have also been introduced throughout Europe, with LETSLINK-inspired exchange networks established over the last five years in 1,000 localities from Iceland to Albania.

     LETSLINK UK continues to advise NGOs and community groups in Eastern Europe, Africa, India, the Far East and elsewhere on developing their own appropriate forms of local exchange.