France/Local currency of Forez-Velay, Le Lien, arrives in Sainte-Sigolène

On Saturday, January 15 and 29, from 9 am to 12 pm, the grocery store La Ségoline, rue Charles-Dupuy in Sainte-Sigolène, will host a meeting about the local currency created in the Loire and which is developing in Haute-Loire.

Local, ecological and united. This is how the Lien, the local currency of Forez-Velay, is presented.

A currency created in 2016

Founded in 2012, the association MLCC42 ("For a Complementary and Citizen Local Currency in Southern Loire") was founded by citizens of Saint-Étienne and its surroundings. It has been managing the Lien, the complementary citizen local currency of the Upper Loire, since its launch in September 2016.

"Like the 80 other local currencies that exist in France, we are working to build a network capable of bringing together citizens, merchants, farmers, businesses, communities, associations, to develop a local economy that is more supportive and respectful of the environment," the association argues.

The Link is complementary to the euro

The grocery store La Ségoline hosts two times of exchanges and explanations within its business. "We have suppliers who use this local currency. And customers have told us about it. It's a parallel and complementary economy to the euro. As it was presented to us, it was obvious to join. This currency makes sense, has an ethical value, and supports the local economy", says Anne Bernaud, the manager of the Ségoline.

While the euro will tend to leave the territory in the space of a few transactions, the Link "feeds local structures working in short circuits, reducing CO² emissions. Free money circulates and feeds the real economy".

La Ségoline, banque de Liens

In Haute-Loire, 12 shops and companies accept the Lien. La Ségoline is going to set up a paper version of the Link. And the business of Sainte-Sigolène will be also bank of link to change euros in Links.

Source: www.lacommere43.fr