The “Graine”, the Hérault department’s local currency, is gaining momentum in the Montpellier Métropole area

Local currency that is ethical and ecoresponsible

This strong brand penetration shows a grassroots trend, a growing desire by citizens to favor an economy based on ethics, ecoresponsibility, and direct-to-consumer models. This trend was further encouraged by France’s Hamon law of 2014, which allows local currencies to be used for payment if “they are issued by companies in the social and solidarity economy, and if the currencies respect the framework established by monetary and financial law.”

Participation by doctors and pharmacists

The goal of these currencies is therefore to develop the local economy by supporting businesses and the nearby production of goods and services. Over 80 local currencies have been introduced around France since 2014. And they are all successful. In May 2021, the Graine welcomed nine new professional members, with a network that now spans beyond organic food products. “We now see building artisans, accountants, and even doctors and pharmacists," observes Chantal Mazurek.

An association with over 450 consum’actors

The number of consumers is also rising rapidly. Nearly 450 individual members spend their Graine money today, and more are joining. The association has increased the number of exchange offices around the Hérault department to 12. Online shopping has also been added, with members able to convert euros into Graines via Helloasso, a platform that enables clubs and associations in France to receive payment via the Internet.

42,000 Graines in circulation in the Hérault department

One Graine is worth one euro. As there are no “cents” in the Graine currency, consumer members can pay any balance due with euro centimes. There are now 42,000 Graines in circulation in the Hérault department. ADESL - La Graine secures its monetary system by leveraging a guarantee fund deposited by NEF, a financial cooperative, as requested by Banque de France.

The Graine Vacations project

The association continues to expand its projects. It now has plans to create a program called Graine Vacations. "This program will enable people to organize their vacation differently, giving work to ethical and ecoresponsible providers around the Montpellier Métropole area and in the Hérault department,” explains Gérard Straumann, whose association participated actively in creating Monnaie d’Òc, which unites the 14 local currencies in the Occitanie region. With them, the economy will surely not go against the grain!
 
For more information, please contact Ms. Chantal Mazurek by calling +33 6 73 31 50 19