Bremen Exchanges

… a time bank with time value accounts

Bremen-Tauscht is a neighborhood community of participants who exchange practical help and goods. Instead of payment in euros, the time spent is credited to a time account. The unit of account is called "Blüten" (blossoms), and the monthly market newsletter is called "Blütenpresse" (Blossom Press).

A time bank has many advantages: Everyone can contribute their skills and resources for mutual benefit, and new social connections are formed. People who would otherwise never have met support each other with valuable help. At "Bremen Tauscht," assistance can be exchanged without any cost to euros.

For example: Wolfgang helps Petra with her move and receives 2 hours (24 blossoms) credited to his account. Wolfgang then feels like having some delicious meatballs, so Gabi fries them for him and receives 1.5 hours (18 blossoms) credited to her account for her services. Gabi, in turn, needs a coffee machine, which she gets used from Hermann, who receives 4 hours (48 blossoms) credited to his account for this. Hermann has Petra type up a text for his studies… etc.

How does "Bremen-Tauscht" work? ...
"Bremen-Tauscht" is a so-called time-exchange network, which means that all work is considered equivalent and is only billed according to the time spent. One hour of IT support has the same value as one hour of window cleaning.

The unit of time in "Bremen-Tauscht" is called a "Blüte" (blossom), where 5 minutes of work corresponds to one "Blüte" and one hour of work corresponds to 12 "Blüte".

Each participant is assigned a time account upon entry, into which all entries and exits at the flower shop are recorded. This time account is limited by a limit that must not be exceeded.

No annual membership fee is required. The operating costs are covered by donations. For every exchange of six or more coins, both parties contribute one coin each to the system account. These coins are used to finance the ongoing administrative work.