aikapankissa

Aikapankki, meaning "time bank" in Finnish, is a system where individuals exchange services based on time credits rather than money. Participants offer their skills and time to help others within the community, and in return, they earn time credits. These credits can then be "spent" by receiving services from other members. For example, if someone helps a neighbor with gardening for two hours, they earn two time credits. They can then use these two credits to receive two hours of assistance with something else, such as tutoring or a ride to an appointment.

The core principle of an aikapankki is reciprocity and mutual support, fostering a stronger sense of community. It allows individuals to access services they might not otherwise be able to afford and provides a way for people to contribute their talents regardless of their financial situation. Aikapankki systems often operate locally, with organizations or community groups facilitating the exchanges and maintaining the time credit ledger. Membership is typically open to anyone willing to participate, and the types of services exchanged are diverse, reflecting the varied skills and needs of the members. The emphasis is on valuing everyone's time equally, regardless of the nature of the service provided.