A Basic Income is a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without means-test or work requirement.

Location Update for the 2026 BIEN Congress

We would like to share an important update regarding the location of the 2026 BIEN Congress. Following a review of international travel conditions and visa accessibility for participants, a decision has reluctantly been reached to relocate the 2026 BIEN Congress from...
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UBIdata: Data for Basic Income Research and Policy

At its most recent congress, BIEN launched UBIdata, an innovative new tool with a mission to match reliable information about basic income with a rapidly growing global user base of individuals and organisations eager to learn more. UBIdata gathers, processes and...
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Rentier Capitalism, the Precariat and Basic Income for China

Throughout history, capitalism has evolved, changing character and changing the class structure defining each era. The changes in the 20th century can be understood by reference to what Karl Polanyi called the Great Transformation. Briefly, in his formulation, in the 19th century, mainly in Britain, there was an initial period in the evolution of industrial capitalism that was dominated by financial capital, in which old systems of distribution, regulation and social protection were dismantled, in what we would call the pursuit of a ‘free market economy’. 
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Taiwan Makes History with Universal Cash Payment Plan

Taiwan is making history by sending out a one-time universal cash payment of $6,000 New Taiwan dollars (NTD) to every citizen “young and old.” This is the first time the country has implemented such a policy, and it comes as a result of excess tax revenue of $450...
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Join Hands & Hearts With BIEN

A convergence of various circumstances in the 21st century has made a Basic Income policyan achievable goal. Discussions and policy debates about Basic Income are taking place in countries across the world. We see this as an incredible opportunity for BIEN to...
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The Royal Society of Arts Explains: [2 minutes]

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BIEN Congresses

BIEN 2026 Website

https://bien2026.net

The next annual BIEN Congress will occur August 19th-22th at the Toronto Metropolitan University.  The BIEN Congress will not be occurring in USA this year.

Theme: Basic Income and the Polycrisis: The Key to Unlocking the Puzzle 🔑

See pictures from the 24th BIEN CONGRESS in Maricá & Niterói here.

Basic Income

A Basic Income is a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without means-test or work requirement. Read more

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Recent News, Opinion, and Research

Ireland Makes Basic Income Program for Artists Permanent

Ireland Makes Basic Income Program for Artists Permanent

Mar 23, 2026 |

Photo by Alejandro Luengo on Unsplash The use of "Basic Income" in this article does not meet BIEN's definition "The Irish government will give 2,000 artists unrestricted weekly stipends, following a successful three-year basic income pilot program. Last week,...

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Happy New Year 2026 Basic Income Week Supporters

Happy New Year 2026 Basic Income Week Supporters

Feb 8, 2026 |

Now you can vote till end of February 2026 for a Motto to the 19th International Basic Income Week Mo-Su 14th-20th September 2026 #basicincomeweek19 at https://basicincomeweek.org/vote-your-motto-for-2026/ You can choose up to three different favorite mottos. If you...

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