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Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 5, 2012.

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We want to build an open source software platform to share with local Trade School chapters around the world.

Trade School

Trade School started three years ago as a project between friends. Today, it's becoming a global movement for community, connection, and educational justice. From Singapore to Jamaica, Guadalajara to Milan, people are using Trade School to organize learning spaces based on mutual respect. Help us build an open source software platform to share with local Trade School chapters around the world.

Trade School is a learning space that runs on barter. Anyone can teach a class, and students sign up for classes by agreeing to bring barter items that the teacher requests. We’ve hosted classes on everything from squatting the condos (in exchange for a kombucha mother and research help) to making butter (in exchange for herbs and music tips).

In 2010, Trade School was started by three friends in a storefront in New York City. In 2011, self-organized Trade Schools started springing up in Milan, Virginia, and Cologne.

Now in its third year, Trade Schools are opening in Oakland, Singapore, London, New Delhi, Sherbrooke, Jamaica, Purchase, Guadalajara, Cardiff, San Francisco, Bangkok, Paris, San Francisco, New Haven, and Milan.

Local organizers keep asking for our software and advice.

Now, we're ready to deliver it.

For the past three years, we’ve been running Trade School in New York and advising Trade Schools as they open. We haven’t been paid in money, but we’ve met incredible people who want to support each other. We’ve experienced a kind of interdependence that makes us happy to be alive. This summer, we want to focus all of our energy on helping new Trade Schools open.

We will get at least 15 new Trade Schools off the ground. We will push our software to a new level, share it for free with anyone who needs it, translate it into at least 5 languages, and demonstrate that a world-wide revolution in education is possible.

Everyone has something to teach.

Your support brings self-organized education to thousands of people across the country and around the world.

Thank you!

PS: If you want to start a Trade School, read our tips and tricks. Here are some logos people are making around the world:

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233
Backers
$10,000
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding period
May 21, 2012 - Jul 5, 2012 (45 days)

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  • Pledge $1 or more

    58 backers

    Thanks for caring about us! We'll send you a thank-you email with a link to a downloadable gift, and give you an amazing high-five when we see you next in person.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $15 or more

    65 backers

    We’ll put your name and your website on our site: http://TradeSchool.coop.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $30 or more

    45 backers

    We’ll give you a Trade School T-shirt.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $50 or more

    15 backers

    We’ll give you a signed copy of our "How to Start a Trade School" booklet, with illustrations by Louise Ma.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $99 or more

    3 backers

    If you give $99 or more, you'll be invited to a special dinner in New York City with Trade School backers like Sunny Bates, Lisa Gansky, and Trade School organizers.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $100 or more

    4 backers

    We’ll sing to your voice mail box and record a video of us doing it, for all to watch.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $300 or more

    4 backers

    We'll give you a 1:1 tutorial about installing the software to start a Trade School in your area, as well as 3 hours of advice.

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2013
  • Pledge $500 or more

    3 backers

    We'll give you a 1:1 tutorial about installing the software to start a Trade School + 6 hours of advice (this is what it takes to open one Trade School).

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $1,000 or more

    1 backer

    We'll give you a 1:1 tutorial about installing the software to start a Trade School + 12 hours of advice (this is what it takes to open two Trade Schools).

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $5,000 or more

    0 backers

    At least 2 Trade School organizers will get a Trade School tattoo, and we welcome you to watch or join us. We'll also give you a 1:1 tutorial about installing the software to start a Trade School + 24 hours of advice (this is roughly what it takes to open three Trade Schools).

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2013

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