Short Introduction to Ecorates

People who like to travel, have certainly come across the concept of economical inequality. The actual cost of living is often very different from country to country, and this leads inevitably to certain travelers being discouraged from participating in gatherings and even from participating in local life.

Organizations like BeWelcome can of course contribute to this by bringing travelers into contact with local communities (and vice versa) and by offering free accommodation, cheap local meals (as opposed to expensive restaurant visits) and tips to save on your traveling budget. But it would still be better if travelers could calculate the real cost of living.

Luckily there are is the ecorate system. The aim of the Ecorate system is to enable EYFA and those organizations which share the concern of economical inequalities between countries, to use a fair exchange rate. It is an alternative 'currency' based on the actual cost of living in each country.

The Ecorate system is necessary to create alternative frameworks for our economic relations (paying participation fees, subscription prices...) that break the profit guided and socially careless dynamics. Differences in the prices levels, exchange currency rates, purchasing power... might financially discourage or even impede groups and individuals from some countries from participating in gatherings and seminars or from subscribing to magazines. We should empower ourselves through creating mechanisms to include social concerns in our ways of functioning.

Ecorate system is a fully grassroots and participatory system. The fact that EYFA's research to have their own rates rather than using official institutional ones is one of the most important characteristics of the system. They have made a survey among activists to collect information about the cost of life in each country [see questionnaire] through looking at the prices of different basic products, which is subsequently used to calculate the Ecorates and the value of the eco for each country.

Ecorates Questionnaire

How can you help?

The ecorates system is based on trust, solidarity and altruistic collaboration. To take part in updating the ecorates, please fill in the online questionnaire.

The online questionnaire is for prices in euros, but if you don't have time to recalculate prices just send me the questionnaire as an attacment with prices in local currency. If you need help with converting, check out the universal currency converter.

Extra note: The list is made up of items that you might not purchase or use in your daily life but you will find these items in most countries taken up in the survey. We know that also within a country the prices of a single item can vary so we ask you to take the average price of the product or item in the country you live in.