From August 20 to 22, researchers, advocates, policymakers, and people with lived experience from 25 countries gathered at Toronto Metropolitan University for the 25th Basic Income Earth Network Congress, hosted by the Basic Income Canada Network. This event also marked the 40th Anniversary of the Basic Income Earth Network.
This year’s theme, “Basic Income and the Polycrisis: The Key to Unlocking the Puzzle,” asked a big question: can basic income serve as a unifying response that cuts across policy silos? Over 120 presentations from around the world responded to this question, highlighting how basic income can provide a vital foundation for equity and the elimination of poverty, environmental regeneration, food security, housing reform, reconciliation with marginalized communities, and political stability. The breadth, depth, and quality of work across BIEN’s global network made the 2026 Congress a location for dialogue and engagement on the most pressing issues of our time.
Across the three days, a few moments stood out.
The inclusion of major film projects, documenting the experiences and impacts of basic income provided opportunity for storytelling and community dialogue. This was punctuated by the global launch of The Elephant Run, a film documenting the story of the global basic income movement, and of Bootstraps, a docuseries that followed the lives of participants in a basic income experiment. Both film events were well received, and provided an emotional and celebratory highlight of the Congress.
Two global plenaries that framed the Congress theme provided participants with deep insights into the nature of the crises we face collectively and of the ways in which basic income can provide the foundation of national, regional, and global responses to these crises. These sessions also spoke to the common challenges and opportunities that our movement faces as we push for social and economic equity and justice around the world.
Finally, the pre-Congress Canada Day session provided a rare opportunity for Canadian advocates to gather with international colleagues to understand where the movement is at the moment in Canada. This event allowed for deep reflection, honest dialogue, and movement building that will be the foundation of work toward a basic income in Canada for many years to come.
What can we take away from our time in Toronto? First, we have affirmed what we likely already know, that basic income works best not as a standalone fix to the complex challenges that we face, but as a foundation that enables deeper structural change when paired with community-governed infrastructure, social programs, and public services. But more importantly, this Congress has allowed us to assess and understand our collective struggle. Globally, the polycrisis is deepening inequality and poverty, degrading our environments, decreasing security, and driving conflict. Gathering at this Congress, we have further laid foundations for solidarity, learning, and action toward a better global future.
Our thanks to Toronto Metropolitan University, the BICN team, our colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania, who provided the spark for the 2026 Congress, the volunteers who made the Congress run smoothly, and to all of the participants and presenters who made the Congress a rewarding, interesting, and valuable experience.
We now look forward to 2027 and joining our colleagues in Poland.
In solidarity and with thanks,
Ben Earle, General Manager, Basic Income Canada Network
