Evaluation of “Makkie”

Makkie is a community currency programme in the Amsterdam neighbourhood called the Indische Buurt, a neighbourhood with an overall weak socio-economic status. Makkie was started in 2012 to strengthen the local economy and social cohesion. It serves as a reward mechanism to encourage reciprocal voluntary work or volunteering in neighbourhood organisations. Makkie is a paper and digital currency that residents can earn through activities performed for issuing partners and may be used as payment for services at so-called redeeming partners. In addition, Makkie has a digital platform on which services can be requested and offered. The paper currency can also be used for mutual exchanges between citizens.
Two years after the introduction of Makkie in the Indische Buurt, Amsterdam East assigned Regioplan Policy Research to evaluate Makkie.