Basic Income Around the World
People all over the world are advocating for a basic income and a dignified life.
Since 2008, BICN has been an affiliate of the international Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN). BIEN began in Europe in 1986, and since 2006 this charitable organization has helped link people from all corners of the planet. Now BIEN has recognized affiliates in many countries from North America and Latin America to Asia and Africa. Canada has two affiliates with Revenu de base Quebec joining in 2016.
Many countries in addition to Canada have piloted basic income projects with diverse designs and populations.
For example, in 2017 Finland began a project with a focus on helping the unemployed. At the same time in Kenya, a charity called Give Directly, started giving a set amount of money to every member of a rural village. Many cities, including some in the United States, have also run pilots to help their residents and draw attention to basic income’s benefits. Despite their differences, all of these pilot programs share the commonality of testing the effect of cash transfers on individuals and groups of people. And they share a common pattern of positive results. Efforts are underway to get the United Nations involved to help make basic income a global priority for Member States.
As interest and need for a basic income grows, we’re moving from idea towards the necessary policy changes to make it a reality.