Governments and non-governmental organizations around the world have embraced community or complementary currencies (CCs) as tools of poverty reduction, environmental protection and promotion of social solidarity. Community Currencies are best viewed as a financial innovation to assist local-level development and are seen as a new age poverty-reduction strategy. Popular CCs include: FureaiKippu (Japan), Red De Turque (Argentina), Ithaca Hours (United States), Bristol Pounds (United Kingdom) and Chiemgauer (Germany).
