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]
Recent News, Opinion, and Research
European Basic Income: A post-COVID recovery strategy
A social policy analyst from Slovenia, suggested that the European Commission examine the idea of a European Universal Basic Income. The UBI would be paid directly from the ECB’s “helicopter money.” The suggestion was made within the debate of the European Social Pillar Action Plan. The proposal stems from the observed shortcomings of the current social security systems related to the COVID-19 crisis, the efforts of the United States, India and many other countries made in this direction and the research done by OECD, IMF, ILO, UNICEF, European and Slovenian experts. This proposal is not the same as the European Citizens’ Initiative ”Start Unconditional Basic Incomes (UBI) throughout the EU”, for which signatures were collected starting on 25 September 2020. However, this proposal does take a similar direction as the European Citizens’ Initiative. One day Europeans will receive a local, national, European and global basic income to safeguard and foster democracy and ecological-economic development.
Korea publishes more research results on the Gyeonggi Youth Basic Income
In April 2019 Gyeonggi Province in Korea, the area around Seoul, implemented a Youth Basic Income that pays to every 24 year old who is a permanent resident 250,000 won (US $220; £158; €184) every quarter for four quarters. The grants are given in a local currency....
National Assembly in France decides to explore ‘Socle Citoyen’
Editor’s note: The use of the term ‘basic income’ or 'universal income' here does not correspond to BIEN’s definition of basic income, since the payments each month will fluctuate with income. ‘Socle citoyen’ corresponds more closely to a Negative Income Tax, adjusted...
Applications invited for doctoral study opportunities in Freiburg
The Freiburg Institute for Basic Income Studies (FRIBIS) is offering six positions for doctoral study. The closing date is the 28th February. FRIBIS is an interdisciplinary institute that aims to combine scientific research with political and civil debates as well as...
Europeans get it: Basic Income strengthens resilience
Advocates for basic income have long argued that it is much more than just a poverty relief measure. It is a matter of common justice that would enhance freedom and provide basic security for all. A new survey across six major European countries shows that people...
Cost of Living: An interview with basic income documentarians
A new film is hoping to answer the question of whether life itself should be subsidized. Directors Sean Blacknell and Wayne Walsh have produced a new documentary “The Cost of Living” which discusses the mental and physical burden placed on those with unstable incomes and whether basic income is the right remedy.
Universal Basic Income, an opportunity for rural Chile
A spanish version can be found here. A silent division between the rural and the urban has been rapidly deepening in recent decades in our country. The recovery of the rural world as a space for full and dignified life has been postponed for too long. Since the times...
Certain Conditions Apply: Canada’s Child Benefit is a ‘Basic Income’
The Canada Child Benefit is a bona fide Basic Income, even if certain conditions apply.
BIEN 2021 Congress: Call for papers
The local organising committee for the 2021 Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) Congress in Glasgow are very excited to announce our call for papers for this virtual, online event.We are inviting you to submit papers and pitches for talks, workshops and other activities...
Possibilities and Pitfalls of Basic Income Experiments
This article briefly discusses the findings of my bookA Critical Analysis of Basic Income Experiments for Researchers, Policymakers, and CitizensPublished by Palgrave Macmillan 2018[1] If the public...
NAMIBIA: Wilfred Diergaardt Dies
Wilfred Diergaardt, a long-time leader of the Basic Income movement in Namibia, died of Covid-19 earlier this month. One December 22, Claudia and Dirk Haarmann, sent the following announcement of Dieragaardt's death: It is with a very sad heart that we have to share...
‘Liberate our imagination’: Taiwan holds first basic income march
Taiwan held its first-ever basic income march on Sunday, attracting over 100 participants to rally in front of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan. Current and former legislators joined the march led by UBI Taiwan, calling for greater discussion of a youth dividend and guaranteeing the right to a basic livelihood for all Taiwanese.