Implementation and Impacts of Taiwan’s Time Bank Multi-Empowerment Program Across Six Townships

In recent years, the government has actively promoted symbiotic communities, hoping that communities can become nodes in social relationship networks and form mutual-support living circles. Departing from the Euro-American time bank framework, the time bank promoted by National Chung Cheng University has adopted Taiwan's traditional rural huan-gong (labor exchange) as its model of dissemination, gradually evolving toward the ideal of a symbiotic community. This study aims to examine the implementation outcomes of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "Time Bank Multi-Empowerment Program" in six townships across northern, central, and southern Taiwan (Dalin Township and Xingang Township in Chiayi County; Dapi Township and Huwei Township in Yunlin County; North District of Hsinchu City; and Neipu Township in Pingtung County), and to explore what kinds of impacts and transformations it has brought to individuals, communities, and organizations. A stratified random sampling strategy was adopted to administer questionnaires in the six areas, resulting in 204 valid responses. Findings show that time bank members are mainly middle-aged and older (51–64 years), female, with a college education, married, living with spouse, and relying primarily on employment or business income; their (current or previous) main occupation is in industry and commerce, and their monthly disposable income is mainly under NT$20,000. More than half (59.3%) reported having engaged in exchange (mutual aid) behaviors. Over 80% agreed that the exchange behaviors produce positive effects: 82.3% believe that exchange (mutual aid) improves confidence in others; 87.3% report increased happiness; and 90.2% feel a strengthened sense of identity and belonging. Six different township-level time bank models are identified through additional analysis and synthesis: the social support type of Dalin Township in Chiayi County; the care point alliance type of Xingang Township; the community alliance type of Dapi Township in Yunlin County; the organizational integration type of Huwei Township; the aging-in-place type of North District of Hsinchu City; and the community industry development type of Neipu Township in Pingtung County. Site-level differences were examined using chi-square testing. These findings have important implications for policymakers and community practitioners. Suggesting that time banking can be effectively adapted to diverse local contexts to enhance social capital, mutual support, and community wellbeing, particularly in aging societies.