In societies facing high unemployment, inequality, and limited access to financial services, many people still hold one invaluable asset — their time. Time Banking transforms this simple resource into a medium of exchange, enabling communities to trade time, skills, and services without money.
The Voluntary Aid and Development Organisation (VADO) is promoting Time Credits / Banking as a people-centered economic model that recognizes volunteer effort as measurable value. By converting time into a tradable credit, the system helps individuals access essential doles and services while fostering civic participation and social economy.
About the Initiative
VADO’s Time Banking system operates through the Labour Voucher app — a digital platform that records and manages the hours individuals contribute through volunteering, community service, informal care work and pro bono services.
Each participant earns Time Credits for their verified hours of service, which can be:
- Banked and accumulated for future use
- Exchanged for charity doles like: food, clothing, or shelter support through partner organizations
- Redeemed for public offers, local economic services, trainings, essential services, social protection, and access to specific opportunities.
- Transferred within the community to support others in need
This model mirrors successful time-banking practices from the United Kingdom’s Time Bank Network, Japan’s Fureai Kippu system, and U.S. Time Dollar programs, but is tailored for Africa’s social development context — linking civic contribution directly to poverty alleviation, workfare, and livelihood empowerment.
Impact and Benefits
Through Time Credits and Banking, VADO empowers volunteers, communities, and institutions by:
- Recognizing volunteer labour as economic capital
- Enabling community-driven poverty relief through mutual aid / support
- Encouraging youth engagement in productive civic activities
- Promoting inclusive local economies where time, not wealth, defines value
This innovation supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) — by turning voluntary service into a measurable and rewarding path toward social inclusion.
Join the Time Credit Revolution
Every second counts. Every service matters.
Partner with VADO to build a new social economy where time is currency and community work creates shared prosperity.
Contact: timebanking@voluntaryaid.org