The aim of the article is to attempt to assess the effectiveness of the complementary currency system for the economic security of the local economy in a crisis situation. The article uses, among others, the method of critical literature analysis, the method of statistical data analysis and the observation technique. The results of the research conducted with the participation of the Polish complementary currency Zielony showed that in the crisis situation, which in 2019-2022 was the economic crisis and the accompanying financial crisis, the complementary currency system did not improve the situation in the local economy. The main conclusion resulting from the analysis is the observation that the complementary currency is not a tool supporting the development of the local economy and allowing for an increase in its level of economic security during crises burdened with lockdown and administrative restrictions.