 The advantages of local currencies for the empowerment of women was demonstrated through this first phase of eco-pesa, as many women set up their own businesses with eco-pesa.The first experiments were run under supervision by Koru while Mr. Ruddick also served as director of Green World Campaign's Kenya chapter in Mombasa.Eco-Pesa was originally developed with assistance from Green World Campaign and its founder and executive director, Marc Barasch.