Projects TIME BANKS
The Time Banks are a small but concrete alternative to the economy based on money. You don’t deposit money, but rather time and expertise. It is not about volunteering, but a form of collaboration that any citizen can carry out, helping and getting helped in coping with both little and big everyday needs. It is a remarkable democratic means, as all the services offered are valued under the time spent instead of the expertise used: one hour of English lesson equates to one hour of housework. So the time lent by the Members becomes a wide network of free services, open to everyone.
The Province of Milan wants to promote and support the Time Banks, which represent a remarkable example of development and social cohesion thanks to their activities of sharing, solidarity and reciprocity. Moreover, to talk about the Time Banks means once again to talk about women who are almost always the promoters and the majority members of this activity. But there is more. We acknowledge the Time Banks in the capacity and possibility to spot the emerging needs of the society: the requests of exchange between members actually reflect the needs that services and society have not satisfied.
We chose to start this cooperation:
♦ first off, taking part in the making of the national Meetings organized by the Coordination of the Milan and Province Time Banks;
♦ giving visibility on our Sito Donne (Women Website) to the Time Banks existing in the territory, making the activities known, fostering the creation of new Time Banks;
♦ supporting officially the presentation of projects funded by the Region and set by the Coordination of the Milan and Province Time Banks.