The Wall Street Journal covers a group in the Catalonia region of Spain that, in response to the country’s current economic crisis, has created an alternative form of currency – the Eco.

“The Eco is exchangeable through checks, electronic payments, and even a mobile telephone app. The idea is to build community and stimulate the local economy. So far, there are about two-dozen of these so called ‘social currencies in Spain, and more are in the works.”