Written by On October 1st, the Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) hosted an inspiring community call centred around the transformative concept of reciprocity as a resource beyond monetary exchange. This session built on enriching discussions from the GIG Day workshops in May, continuing our journey toward alternative systems of value and support.
Our guest speaker was GIG member Rebecca Saltman, founder of Value Flow, who has passionately facilitated reciprocity marketplaces globally for over a decade. Her expertise in creating collaborative systems grounded in social and environmental impact set the tone for our engaging session.
Saltman introduced the empowering idea of reciprocity marketplaces, emphasising the art of identifying needs without defaulting to financial requests. She encouraged participants to express their requirements and offerings, framing the exchange as a community-driven process rich in connection.
Participants reflected on their needs and shared them with the group, leading to profound exchanges. Requests varied from technical equipment for school connectivity to support in video editing for educational content, all of which were met with generous offers of collaboration, advice, and shared resources.
The session underscored the importance of clarity in articulating our needs. Saltman illuminated the challenges individuals face in defining their actual requirements, often mistaking monetary figures for essential needs. She shared a compelling case study from Portugal, where a request for €10,000 was reframed into a fundamental need for hot water, ultimately resolved through community effort and support.
We also explored the cultural framing of value, noting how common questions like “What do you do?” reinforce transactional mindsets. Saltman inspired us to consider more meaningful approaches, such as asking “What do you need?” or “What makes you happy?” to cultivate deeper connections.
Throughout the call, GIG members shared valuable experiences and strategies for navigating systems focused on monetary exchange. The conversation flowed into reflections on housing, travel, and professional engagements, highlighting opportunities for barter, shared use, and mutual support.
Saltman outlined a robust four-step framework for building reciprocity marketplaces:
- Identify the need,
- Decouple it from money,
- Break it into reciprocal components, and
- Share the opportunity.
This structure guided our live examples, allowing participants to practice the model in real-time.
The call served as a vibrant platform for members to connect across geographies and disciplines. Contributions came from participants in Kenya, Brazil, Kosovo, and Portugal, showcasing the global reach and diversity that make the GIG network unique.
As the session concluded, members expressed enthusiasm for continuing the practice of reciprocity within our community. This call reinforced the immense potential for virtual marketplaces to foster collaboration, skill-sharing, and resource exchange without financial constraints.
GIG will eagerly continue to explore themes of alternative economies and community-driven systems in upcoming calls. The October session with Rebecca Saltman laid an inspiring foundation for future discussions on values, interdependence, and the design of resilient support networks. A recording of the session will be made available to members, along with follow-up materials and opportunities to engage in meaningful reciprocity initiatives.
