Beyond the Bank: Three Global Experiments in Financial Inclusion — and the Problems They Actually Solve

We talk a lot about financial inclusion — but often forget to ask, “Inclusion into what, exactly?”

The traditional system centers around money, credit scores, and institutions. But what about people who:

• Don’t earn steady wages?

• Don’t have access to traditional credit?

• Or contribute in ways that markets don’t recognize?

Real financial inclusion starts by identifying what’s missing, not just who’s missing.

Here are three models — CopenPay, TimeBank USA, and Tempo Time Credits — that each solve a specific problem the mainstream system often ignores.

1. CopenPay (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Problem it solves: Environmental action has no immediate economic reward.

CopenPay rewards sustainable behavior — like biking, using transit, or participating in clean-ups — with free experiences around the city. It acknowledges that eco-friendly behavior creates public value, even if it doesn’t generate profit.

How it works: Tourists “pay” with green actions and receive access to museums, bike rentals, and discounts.

What it changes: It turns behavior into currency, and builds a system where good actions are not only encouraged — they’re compensated.

2. TimeBank USA

Problem it solves: Many people contribute to their communities in valuable ways — but aren’t paid, recognized, or included economically.

TimeBank USA allows people to exchange services based on time, not money. Everyone’s hour is equal, whether you’re providing tech help, caregiving, or yard work.

How it works: Give one hour of service, earn one credit. Spend that credit on receiving help from others.

What it changes: It values unpaid labor and creates a system of mutual aid with dignity, where people don’t need cash to participate.

3. Tempo Time Credits (UK)

Problem it solves: Volunteers are vital to society, but often excluded from the benefits of the systems they support.

Tempo issues time credits to volunteers that can be redeemed at cultural and leisure venues — helping people access experiences often limited by cost.

How it works: Volunteers earn credits by giving time to nonprofits and redeem them for museum visits, theater tickets, or fitness passes.

What it changes: It builds experience equity — enabling low-income volunteers to access enriching experiences, while strengthening civic infrastructure.

What They Have in Common

Each of these models:

• Revalues time, trust, and effort.

• Redefines what it means to "earn."

• Solves a gap the financial system was never built to fix.

They don’t just offer access — they build alternative systems based on shared value.

Final Thought

Financial inclusion isn’t a product. It’s a design principle.

These models show us how to include people by changing the rules, not just expanding access to the old ones.

Because real inclusion doesn’t just ask, "Can you afford to participate?" It asks, "What do you already have to offer — and how can we make sure that counts?"

#FinancialInclusion #BehavioralEconomics #CopenPay #TimeBanking #TempoTimeCredits #MutualAid #ExperienceEquity #InclusiveDesign #AltCurrency #TrustEconomy #FutureOfFinance #HumanCenteredEconomics