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Cosmo-Local Credit
From Sarafu Network to Cosmo-Local Credit

Cosmo-Local Credit builds on what we learned from Sarafu Network. The CLC App is a new service, so past Sarafu accounts, vouchers and obligations did not automatically move to it. Read our history.

Cosmo-Local Credit

Cosmo-Local Credit helps people and organizations promote goods and services with vouchers. A voucher works much like a gift card. Its creator explains what it can be used for. A Commitment Pool works like a curated marketplace where people can exchange selected vouchers under clear rules.

Create vouchers

Create a voucher to promote your goods or services. Add clear terms so people know what it offers and how to use it.

Exchange through Pools

A Commitment Pool is a curated place to exchange selected vouchers. Its Steward chooses which vouchers it supports and publishes its rules.

Share and use vouchers

Send vouchers to other people, exchange supported vouchers through a Pool, or use them with their issuer.

Empowering communities through commitment pooling

Commitment pooling brings selected vouchers into curated marketplaces where communities can exchange them. People can then use the vouchers for the goods or services described in their terms.

See commitment pooling in action

Unique active vouchers
745
Unique active Commitment Pools
188
Users
26,367
Exchanges between users
285,197

Historical Sarafu Network activity, 5 July 2023 to 20 July 2025. View the source data.

Creating and exchanging vouchers through a Pool
01

Create a voucher

Describe your goods or services and explain how people can use the voucher.

02

Build a curated Pool

A Pool Steward selects the vouchers people can exchange and publishes the Pool’s rules.

03

Send or exchange

Send vouchers directly to other people or exchange supported vouchers through a Pool.

04

Use the voucher

Use it with its issuer for the goods or services described in its terms.

Pool Stewards

A Pool Steward creates a curated marketplace for vouchers. The Steward chooses which vouchers the Pool supports, publishes its rules, limits and fees, and keeps its information up to date. A Steward can be a person, organization or other accountable group.

Create a Pool

  • Describe the Pool’s purpose
  • Choose the vouchers it supports
  • Publish its exchange rules, limits and fees
  • Share the Pool with others
  • Keep its information up to date
Create a Pool
Hands adding grain to a shared bowl

Voucher creators

Create a voucher for what you offer and publish clear terms. When you create a voucher, you are its issuer. You are responsible for providing what the voucher promises.

People raising their hands to share what they offer

Create a voucher

  • Describe what your voucher offers
  • Explain where, when and how it can be used
  • Share it with customers and your community
  • See which Pools support it
  • Honor the voucher according to its terms
Create a voucher

Voucher users

A voucher works much like a gift card. It represents goods or services offered by its issuer. Read its terms before you receive, send, exchange or use it.

Explore vouchers

  • See what each voucher offers
  • Read where, when and how to use it
  • Find Pools where it can be exchanged
  • Send it to another person
  • Exchange it or use it with its issuer
Explore vouchers
People exchanging vouchers for goods and services

Supporters

Read a Pool’s purpose, rules and terms before you support it. Available support methods and any rewards depend on each Pool’s terms.

People planning how to support a shared project

Find a Pool to support

Explore Pools

Community needsEnvironmentWomen-ledEducationAgriculture
  • Learn what the Pool is for
  • Read its rules and terms
  • Choose a Pool you want to support
  • Follow its updates and activity
Explore Pools
Community member standing in front of Sarafu Network information posters
“Sarafu has transformed how our community trades and supports each other. Even during tough times, we can continue commerce and help our neighbors. The Vouchers keep value circulating within our community.”
Joseph KimaniCommunity leader and local business ownerUsing Sarafu Network since 2019
Community marketsVulnerable projectsLocal trade

Why use Cosmo-Local Credit?

Simple tools for creating, sharing and exchanging vouchers.

01

Curated marketplaces

Each Pool brings selected vouchers together and publishes the rules for exchanging them.

02

Clear terms and rules

Voucher creators explain what they offer. Pool Stewards publish the rules for each Pool.

03

Easy to access

Use the CLC App on a phone or computer. QR codes and printable paper wallets provide additional ways to take part.

04

Open and adaptable

CLC is built openly so others can inspect it, use it and help improve it.

People and places connected through vouchers and Pools

Sarafu Network in the media

BBC NewsAl JazeeraBloomberg

Our partners

Mustard Seed TrustKenya Red CrossSchumacher Center for New Economics

Ready to explore?

Open the CLC App to explore vouchers and the curated Pools where they can be exchanged. Subscribe for project news and updates.