Designing a mobile service as a facilitator for capturing local trade data

In this paper we will highlight the potential for creating alternative economic models based on ethical trading to encourage communities to embrace the benefits of connecting, sharing and trading more locally. In particular the research presented considers whether mobile and ubiquitous computing can be used to effectively to support such an initiative as an alternative to local currency schemes. The current prototype known as BARTER encourages transparency in the dissemination of local trade information to all members of the community, including the customers, rather than adopting current approaches whereby the trader records such information without revealing anything to the customers. This transparency also allows us to illustrate to customers that the more money is spent locally the healthier the local economy becomes bringing benefits to all.