"It's a year since financial education became a compulsory part of the curriculum for England's 11 to 16 year olds. But do you know the answers to some of the questions in their lessons?"

Recently a totally new concept was launched in some countries, including the UK, based on the exciting digital or crypto currency innovations of recent years, that could actually empower individuals to convert their daily steps into digital money that they can spend, save or whatever, just like our existing currencies. ‘Bitwalking’, as it has been named, could effectively give everyone the freedom and opportunity simply to make money by walking!

Today, it has been announced that a new solar-powered invention by the award-winning British company Desolenator can turn seawater into drinking water. While it is believed that the world is rapidly reaching global water crisis level with nearly one billion people lacking access to clean drinking water, it is hoped that this new equipment could lead the way for technological help.

The machine uses patented technology that can transform salt water and other non drinkable water sources into pure, distilled water fit for human consumption. It is capable of producing 15 liters of water per day, using no power supply other than the sun and with no moving parts or filters and is easy to maintain. After the initial purchase the machine needs no extra input of money or consumables and should be able to provide clean water for a household for a period of up to 20 years.

It is estimated that 97 percent of the world’s water is salt water and if we are able to tap into this valuable and available resource we could alleviate the global water crisis in an unprecedented way. Today 0.7 percent of the world’s water comes from desalination and existing technology is expensive, inefficient and dis-proportionally uses perhaps 0.5% of the world’s global energy supply. It is thought that the new invention is different from existing desalination and home water technologies, harnessing solar power in an elegant way, thereby maximizing the use of solar radiation through a combination of thermal, electrical and heat exchange.

The machine is still under development but there is a fully working prototype available http://desolenator.com/  .Interestingly the company has already started an Indiegogo Crowdfunding finance campaign following its success in an accelerator program and has also won a development grant.

If you like this article and want to help empower start-ups with a good socioeconomic cause try: https://www.finance-eco-money.org/fempower/finetech/item/bitwalking-share-the-belief-and-benefits-of-a-new-equal-global-economy-for-all 

The company announced today that Luxembourg has granted Payment Institution status to its European cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp, providing the firm with a license across 28 EU member states. The license, which was signed by Luxembourg’s Minister of Finance, Pierre Gramegna, goes into effect on 1 July, when the firm will open its new headquarters in the Luxembourg

The Luxembourg Financial Industry Supervisory Commission (CSSF) have conducted rigorous security reviews spanning nearly two years togther  with an audit by Ernst & Young. It is thought that marks a new milestone for bitcoin and digital finance in Europe and Bitstamp is a most welcome addition to Luxembourg’s fintech ecosystem.”

Luxembourg is known to recognise the economic potential of bitcoin, digital currency and the blockchain technology. It has set an example for other nations to embrace the industry after having conducted rigorous due diligence on the technology and of Bitstamp as a company. Bitstamp becoming the first nationally regulated bitcoin exchange is perhaps a historic achievement for digital currency.

To mark the occasion, Bitstamp will launch BTC/EUR trading across the European markets, and is offering free trading in BTC/EUR for both new and existing customers for 30 days.

On Thursday 10 March 2016 Citim (Centre for Information on the Third world,55 avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg) launched "Need for Seed" a project to Examine Food Sovereignty, Food Security and cultivated biodiversity.

The event facilitated a free, public, exchange of information on world-wide seed issues, primarily concerning the dangers of genetically modified food and was introduced by Jean Feyder, Ancien Ambassador for Luxembourg at WTO (World Trade Organisation), Geneva and member of the ASTM Board of Directors and author of "La Faim Tue" (Hunger Kills). ASTM stands for Action Solidaire Tiers Monde (Third World Action Solidarity).

Frank Adams, founding member of the Luxembourg SEED network and an expert on cultivated biodiversity & food quality showed slides and lead a group discussion, with several other practisioners from the cultivated biodiversity space, in Luxembourg: Steve Schwartz of Kraizschouschteschgaart and Klouschtergaart, Georges Moes of Natur & ëmwelt, as well as Estrella Catarata, director of the Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes (PNFSP). Madam Catarata is one of ASTM's partners from the Philippines and she informed the group of the current situation regarding small Filipino farmers and their efforts to save seed sovereignty in their country.

The group emphasised the importance of simple and traditional seeds as the basis for the constant struggle on food sovereignty from the north to the south of our planet. Today the standardisation of seeds especially from genetically modified plants endangers our heritage and the precious biodiversity of our food and livelihood.

With the "Need for Seed" project, CITIM, in collaboration with three local players, Network SEED Luxembourg, the private initiative Kraizschouschteschgaart, and Natur & ëmwelt, want to encourage and help us to bring the greatest possible biodiversity to our own gardens and also to help consumers and growers alike to reclaim their self-sufficiency in food production.

MFTSE Affairs S.A., aims to support this new venture and share opinions on FEM.lu

The OECD said in 1999: Any private entity conducted in the public interest, organised with an entrepreneurial strategy but whose main purpose is not the maximisation of profit but attainment of certain economic and social goals, which has the capacity of bringing innovative solutions to the problems of social exclusion and unemployment.

See our Discussion Topics on how such enterprises might be funded and financed.

A great conference was held just before the summer on Microfinance and Climate change. Bridging academic research with, in the field, practice. It was particularly good to have an insight of how to help the poorest of the poor gain access to affordable finance i.e. finance that does not cost them any more than they spend already on life changing products that are replaced. www.ada-microfinance.org & www.friendship-bd.org/

World leaders in Paris, joined 45,000 others -- from civil society, businesses, media and more -- to urge Heads of State and Governments to forge a global agreement on climate change.

Luxembourg for Finance will organise a financial mission to Singapore and Sydney on 20-25 February 2016. The mission is led by HE Pierre Gramegna, Minister of Finance and Chairman of Luxembourg for Finance.