Community Cred to Facilitate a Circular Economy - Research Project

Lil CIC is working with Edinburgh University and other partners to explore the potential of a mutual credit system to support businesses and organisations to build community wealth in East Lothian.

Mutual credit systems are a simple way for local businesses, organisations and groups to trade with each other without needing cash - when you do business with another locally owned organisation, you could offer or receive goods and services using mutual credits. This retains your cash reserves for expenses like salaries, utilities, taxes, and investing in your organisation. You could also use them to create value from surplus & waste materials, spare space, loaning out under-used equipment.

We are trying to understand the extent of local exchanges that are already happening among East Lothian’s social enterprises, circular economy organisations, and other locally owned small businesses.

You can get involved by filling out this short survey!

Or just drop me an email to sarah@dolilthings.org /give me a call on 07765 126700 and we can talk :-)

These systems keep value circulating locally, building our economy and preventing wealth from leaking away (often to big pockets). They have proven very useful in helping communities stay strong, especially when money is tight or difficult to get. The system facilitates local trade, encourages more efficient resource use and strengthens community cohesion.

Your help is crucial in shaping a system that could foster resilience and sustainability in our region – real systems change! By participating, you’ll be at the forefront of an innovative approach to community wealth building. Once we understand the viability of a credit network we can build it!

We have set up an FAQ here, which we will continue to expand, so please check it out and ask more questions 😊

This is an Edinburgh University research project led by Dr Juli Huang, Senior Lecturer at University of Edinburgh. You can contact Dr Juli at juli.huang@ed.ac.uk 

THANK YOU!