2024: a year of progress toward a fairer, greener economy

A new vision for Positive Money

2024 marked a pivotal moment in our organisation’s history. We relaunched our brand with a new international identity, and our refreshed website reflects our renewed commitment to shaping a better future. This transformation isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s a reflection of a more ambitious vision for how the global economic system can work for people and the planet.

At the heart of our new vision is the commitment to:

• Redesigning the economy to tackle the pressing issues of inequality and climate breakdown.

• Shifting power away from powerful corporations and financial institutions, towards communities and individuals.

Our values of sustainability, democracy, justice, and equity guide every step we take.

Leading the charge with groundbreaking research

Throughout the year, we’ve continued to produce research that challenges the status quo and pushes for transformative change. Some of our most impactful reports have focused on the role of central banks and financial institutions in driving environmental and economic policies:

• Greening the ECB: Our report, A Roadmap Towards Greening the ECB, outlined how the European Central Bank (ECB) can and should integrate climate considerations into its monetary policy. This sparked meaningful discussions with central bankers and policymakers, further elevating the debate on how central banks can contribute to a green future.

• Inflation as an ecological phenomenon: In our exploration of the connection between climate change, fossil fuel dependence, and price instability, we called for policies that accelerate the green transition as a means to achieving  long-term price stability.

• A future-fit operational framework for the ECB: Our research highlighted how the ECB’s operational framework could be reformed to better respond to societal challenges, including climate change and the risk of financial crises.

• Nature’s Nudge: In partnership with WWF, we proposed reforms to the ECB’s collateral framework to address biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse. This ongoing dialogue with the ECB and European central banks sets the stage for further progress in 2025.

Influencing EU policy

2024 was also a critical year for shaping European policy, especially with the EU elections. As part of our efforts to advocate for a greener and fairer European Union, we worked to ensure that sustainability and fairness were central to the conversation.

• EU elections campaign: We analysed party manifestos and put forward five key proposals for a fairer, greener economy. As the European Parliament prepares to make key decisions in 2025 on its annual resolution on the ECB, we will continue advocating for policies that support both people and the planet.

• Monitoring the new European Commission: With new commissioners coming into power, we kept a close eye on their appointments and their potential impact on financial and climate policies. It’s vital to ensure that the new leadership aligns with the bold vision for a sustainable future.

Reaching broader audiences with engaging content

In 2024, we took major steps to bring our message to wider audiences through various traditional media channels and digital platforms. Our goal was to make complex economic and monetary issues more accessible and engaging for everyone.

• Media appearances: Our director, Vicky Van Eyck, appeared on France24 to discuss the digital euro and its potential to transform money systems. She also joined BBC World Service Radio to talk about the future of money. Meanwhile, our head of research, Uuree Batsaikhan, shared her insights on central banks, inequality, and climate with the Economics for Rebels podcast.

• Economically Speaking on TikTok: We launched our first-ever TikTok series, Economically Speaking, where our press officer, Chris Ancil, breaks down the latest economic news in bite-sized, engaging videos. It's a fun and accessible way for us to connect with younger audiences who are interested in understanding the economic events that shape their lives.

Looking ahead to 2025: What’s next?

None of these achievements would have been possible without the collective effort of our supporters, partners, and collaborators. As we look toward 2025, we’re more determined than ever to keep pushing for an economic system that serves everyone, not just the powerful few. Here’s what we’re focusing on in the year ahead:

• Greener and fairer ECB policies: We’ll continue working with like-minded organisations to shape the ECB’s review of its monetary policy strategy, ensuring that environmental sustainability and social fairness are at the forefront.

• Fair digital finance: As the development of the digital euro progresses, we’ll be closely monitoring its implications for fair and sustainable finance in the EU.

• Raising public awareness: We’ll keep shining a spotlight on the role of financial institutions, particularly central banks, and how they impact our daily lives.

2025 holds incredible potential for further transformation. With your continued support, we can build on this momentum and make a real difference. Here’s to another year of progress!