Easyswap

Easyswap is a Switzerland-based on-line local exchange trading system (LETS) platform featuring geolocation data as well as a complementary currency.

History

Easyswap began^[when?] as an initiative of the city of Lausanne, Switzerland, to reduce social problems such as long-term unemployment and social exclusion.^[1]

A working group, made up of welfare recipients recruited by the city's social services department, came up with the idea of a web-based project modeled on local exchange trading systems (LETS).^[2] Their project was to serve two purposes: promote social inclusion by nurturing contacts between different societal groups and encourage the sustainable consumption of consumer goods.^[3]

Administered by an eponymous non profit association, easyswap.org was officially launched in October, 2008.^[4]

In August 2011, a version of the easyswap platform was developed for the University of Lausanne.^[5]

The Swap

The swap is a virtual, complementary currency in use on the easyswap platform. The swap has a "theoretical value" of one Swiss franc^[6] and cannot be bought or sold using any other currency.^[7] Its value is determined by individual members who are free to set their own prices.^[8]

Swap 'n' roll

The easyswap platform uses an open source technology based on PHP5 Zend Framework developed and maintained by Swap 'n' roll.^{[citation needed]}

Other open source LETS platforms include Cyclos, WebLETS and Cclite.^{[citation needed]}