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

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

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Jan 6, 2026 |

PolicyEngline, a US-based microsimulation research institute, recently held a conference in London. To watch a flagship event featuring live demos, constituency-level policy impacts, AI-powered analysis tools, and expert panels on the future of economic policy...

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New Quarterly Newsletter and Holiday Greeting

New Quarterly Newsletter and Holiday Greeting

Dec 23, 2025 |

BIEN will be sending out a quarterly Newsletter focusing on BIEN events and developments. The first issue was sent out on December 15. Here is a Holiday Greeting from BIEN's Chair and Acting Chair Dear friends and fellow travellers, 2025 was an exciting year for the...

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BIEN Social Media Manager Volunteer Position

BIEN Social Media Manager Volunteer Position

Dec 12, 2025 |

About BIEN The Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) is an international, non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering informed discussion of basic income policies, promoting research, and supporting movements around the world. Our volunteers help amplify the global...

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Presentation on the falling costs of basic income

Presentation on the falling costs of basic income

Dec 10, 2025 |

Karl Widerquist will be presenting on "The Falling Cost of Basic Income" at the Cash Transfer Lab's online meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, 2:30pm - 3:30pm Eastern Time (US)--that's 1:30 Central, 19:30 UK and 20:30 CET. The study is by Jack Rossbach and Karl....

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December Message from Income Movement

December Message from Income Movement

Dec 7, 2025 |

We hope you had a chance to rest and spend some meaningful time with family and friends over the past weeks. As the year draws to a close and the weather gets colder, the conversation surrounding basic income has started to heat up across the world. Rep. Rashida...

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UBI Piloters’ Network

UBI Piloters’ Network

Dec 4, 2025 |

Newsletter Dec, 2025 The UBI Piloters Network is a global platform connecting researchers, policymakers, and activists running or interested in Unconditional Basic Income (UBI) trials, aiming to share findings and best practices, and it's closely linked with the Basic...

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