A Basic Income is a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without means-test or work requirement.
The Royal Society of Arts Explains: [2 minutes]
BIEN Congresses
The next annual BIEN Congress will occur in Wrocław, Poland on 15-17th July 2027 https://biencongress2027.org/
The theme will be Basic Income and the Spirit of Solidarity: Pathways to Justice and Equality. Call for papers will be up soon.
The last annual BIEN Congress occurred August 19th-22th at the Toronto Metropolitan University.
See pictures from the 24th BIEN CONGRESS in Maricá & Niterói here.
Recent News, Opinion, and Research
How Rio de Janeiro’s municipalities are reinventing local development through cash transfers
Social currencies have emerged as an innovative instrument not only for transferring cash, but also for promoting local development. By boosting local consumption and supporting small businesses, they help communities build self-sustaining economies. Drawing on...
Why social assistance shouldn’t come with strings attached
"When the authorities provide social assistance to those in need, it almost always comes with conditions attached. These include behavioural requirements or criteria determining who is and isn’t eligible for support. Common examples include proving that you’re looking...
MGI/CGI publishes 2024 End-0f-Year Report and Narrative Change highlights
Looking back at 2024, it's clear that the needle has moved on guaranteed income. With over 150 pilots happening in the United States, more people than ever know about guaranteed income, and a majority of voters support it. Independent researchers have begun releasing...
BIEN Congress 2025 website is now live
24th BIEN Congress - "Basic Income & Solidarity Economy: New Horizons for Social Protection" – Call for Papers & Early Bird RegistrationThe call for papers is now open!Submit your proposals by February 18, 2025.Early bird registration until March 31, 2025. To...
Consulting Opportunity: Mapping the Global Fundraising Ecosystem for BIEN
The Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) is seeking a consultant to develop a comprehensive overview of the global fundraising ecosystem as part of our strategy to ensure financial sustainability in 2025. Project Overview ● Scope: Conduct a systematic review of worldwide...
New study proves the feasibility of a European basic income
A pioneering study has been published, providing the first comprehensive analysis of the financial feasibility of a European Basic Income (EBI). The research demonstrates that guaranteeing the right to existence for everyone in the European Union (EU) is not only...
The Basic Income in Belgium Project Closing Event: Findings of Four Years of Research
Dear Colleagues, We are excited to invite you tothe Basic Income in Belgium (BABEL) Closing Event, happening online on January 24, from 12:00PM to 2.30PM (CET). The BABEL project is a comprehensive research initiative examining Basic Income...
Basic Income in Malaysia
The Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) has collaborated with Prof Geoffrey Williams, a Malaysian-based economist and Basic Income advocate, to share their collective vision of a Basic Income in the Malaysian context. Involved with the collaboration from BIEN were our...
Unconditional: The film
Unconditional is a film created at the University of Bath that is focused on the prosperity of communities that sprouted from pilots basic income projects in India and Bangladesh. The strategy of basic income plus — not only providing direct cash but also community...
Doing Bitcoin the Basic Income Way
Photo by Traxer on Unsplash "...there are on the horizon two radical ideas that have the potential to create synergy which can revolutionize the way we are currently addressing the income vulnerability and different forms of deprivation in the world today. The two...
Guaranteed Income Works in Tacoma, Washington
"This month, researchers released independent data for Tacoma, WA. A partnership with the City of Tacoma, the United Way of Pierce County, and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, the Growing Resilience In Tacoma (GRIT) pilot focused on families that are considered...
Homeless people to be given cash in first major UK trial to reduce poverty
"Researchers are conducting the UK’s first major scientific trials to establish whether giving homeless people cash is a more effective way of reducing poverty than traditional forms of help. Poverty campaigners have long believed that cash transfers are the...