Dear subscribers,

This subreddit will no longer be updated because the new version of Reddit is still so full of bugs that it's unworkable for me. The use of the previous version was still possible until a few days ago (which is what I did), but Reddit has now forced all of its users onto their latest version. That version has been running for many months now and I avoided it initially because of the layout, but now I found that its functionality in pasting and editing texts is equally hopeless.

I want to redirect my subscribers to https://www.reddit.com/r/BasicIncome/

I'm sure that news articles coming from BIEN will be picked up there as well.

Thank you for your reading, subscribing, commenting and understanding!

'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 chair of the EC – Dr Sarath Davala, our Volunteer Coordinator and EC member from Malaysia – Lee Seng Kiat, and our Asia Pacific Hub Manager – John Michael. 

Their 7-page infographic was soft launched in both English and Malay, offering an overview of Basic Income, proposals for implementation and funding, and comparison with policies already in place in Malaysia. They were also on air with business radio station – BFM 89.9, offering their insights to the robust questions posed by journalist Dashran Yohan. Their visions were also published by local newspapers including the Malay Mail, The Sun, and a the largest newspaper in Malaysia – The Star.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/12/basic-income-in-malaysia/

'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 organizing support to those participating in the pilot — lead to meaningful impact on societal issues identified by pilot participants.

To view the film, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/12/unconditional-the-film/

'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 ideas are Bitcoin and Universal Basic Income: that is, providing a basic income to every human being on the planet by means of Bitcoin. What is common between these two ideas is that they are based on certain foundation human values: individual freedom and autonomy, human dignity and equity.”

To read the full article, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/12/doing-bitcoin-the-basic-income-way/

'“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 “asset-limited, income-constrained and employed” (ALICE). From December 2021 to December 2022, the GRIT pilot gifted 110 ALICE families in Tacoma $500 a month, no strings attached. Results demonstrate that a modest, unrestricted cash investment can improve families’ financial stability, well-being, food security, and access to safe and stable housing, thereby reducing poverty in our community.”

To read more, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/12/206522/

'“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 most cost-effective way of helping people, but most studies have examined schemes in developing countries.

The new study, funded by the government and carried out by King’s College London (KCL) and the homelessness charity Greater Change, will recruit 360 people in England and Wales. Half will continue to get help from frontline charities. The other half will get additional help from Greater Change, whose support workers will discuss their financial problems then pay for items such as rent deposits, outstanding debts, work equipment, white goods, furniture or new clothes. They do not make direct transfers to avoid benefits being stopped due to a cash influx.’

To read the full article, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/12/homeless-people-to-be-given-cash-in-first-major-uk-trial-to-reduce-poverty/

'“USAID’s support of direct monetary transfers is significant as it is the largest provider of official development assistance at an estimated US$66B in 2023 and has the potential to influence a greater number of actors in the sector to adopt this approach.”

To read more, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/12/usaid-signals-major-strategy-shift-championing-direct-unconditional-cash-transfers/

'Photo by Jason Hafso via Unsplash

​

• In chapter 5 of its annual report, Canada’s National Advisory Council on Poverty recommended that Canada implement a basic income.
• Quote: “The Council proposes that the federal government should work across governments to introduce a basic income floor, indexed to thecost of living, that would provide adequate resources (above Canada’s Official Poverty Line) for people to be able to meet their basic needs, thrive and make choices with dignity.”

To read the report, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/12/canadas-national-advisory-council-on-poverty-has-recommended-basic-income/

'Photo by Sina Drakshani via Unsplash

“Despite growing interest in Universal Basic Income (UBI), evidence of its impact remains limited. To address this gap, a new paper examines household behavior three years after Iran’s 2010 reform, which replaced energy subsidies with unconditional flat cash transfers amounting to 28% of median household income.”

To read the paper, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/12/new-publication-on-irans-ubi/

'Note: Marica’s RBC does not meet the BIEN definition of basic income

“The Maricá Basic Income Evaluation is an assessment of a basic income program in the city of Maricá, Brazil. The program, the Renda Básica de Cidadania (RBC, or Citizens’ Basic Income), is one of the largest cash transfer programs in existence. A partnership between the Universidade Federal Fluminense in Niterói, Brazil, and the Jain Family Institute in New York, USA, the study examines the impact of the RBC, an unconditional cash transfer program introduced in 2015 using proceeds derived from oil royalties.”

To read more, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/12/first-paper-from-brazils-marica-basic-income-evaluation-published/

• Oregon’s universal basic income measure failed, with 78.8% of voters opposing the policy.
• The measure proposed giving $1,600 annually to state residents, funded by a corporate tax increase.
• Basic income programs have been tried across the US as an approach to poverty reduction.

To read more, click here.

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/12/oregon-rebate-ubi-ballot-measure-fails/

'Note: This project does not meet BIEN’s definition of basic income.

The 2024 Denver Basic Income Project Impact Report is a comprehensive look at how the project has transformed lives and empowered over 800 individuals experiencing homelessness. To date, DBIP has distributed $10.8 million in guaranteed income, leading to significant milestones in housing stability, financial well-being, and community inclusion.

From stories like Kenny Lee’s journey from prison to stable housing to the remarkable advocacy of Moriah Rodriguez, a mother who found hope and opportunity, the report highlights how direct cash assistance can restore dignity, foster self-sufficiency, and create lasting change.

To read the report, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/12/denver-basic-income-project-impact-report-published/

'As more countries are facing a secular stagnation and as it is becoming clear that it is unrealistic to hope to increase total economic output (measured as the gross domestic product GDP) without further worsening the environmental crisis, a new question emerges: how can we make progress towards eradicating poverty without growth? While the Pact for the Future adopted on 23 September 2024 reaffirms the need to “urgently develop measures of progress on sustainable development that complement or go beyond GDP”, indicators alone, while useful, remain insufficient: what matters is the reorientation of the economy — of our ways of producing and consuming. 

The Special Rapporteur proposed a range of answers, which include strengthening the social and solidary economy, identifying new sources of financing for State services that do not depend on growth, better valuing care work and better aligning wages with the social utility of work. The overall objective should be to expand the toolbox of governments in the fight against poverty. This will allow to move beyond a grow-tax-transfer approach to poverty reduction (the dominant post-market model to combating poverty), to focus more on pre-market measures (including investing in early childhood education and care) and on market reforms (to make markets more inclusive). 

To read the full document, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/11/priorities-for-the-second-world-summit-for-social-development-2025/

'Photo by Amber Weir via Unsplash

Workshop Program: Designing a Basic Income Pilot for Australia – Ethics, Implementation & Evaluation Challenges

Location: Online (Zoom)
Date: Friday, December 6
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:15 PM

Overview:

Pilots, trials, and experiments have played a central role in establishing an evidence base for the potential benefits of basic income and similar concepts. While proponents of basic income often highlight the positive outcomes of these trials, critics question their effectiveness. The relationship between basic income and policy experimentation has been viewed as crucial for building public and political support for the reform, though some argue that it has been a distraction that has failed to deliver policy implementation.

In Australia, the debate around basic income pilots is still in its early stages compared to international efforts. Aside from a small-scale trial in the 1970s, there has never been a comprehensive basic income pilot, and very few detailed proposals have gained significant traction. The Third Annual Australian Basic Income Fellows Workshop seeks to move the conversation forward by focusing on the ethical, practical, and evaluation challenges involved in designing a basic income pilot for Australia.

To learn more and register, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/11/designing-a-basic-income-pilot-for-australia-2024-abi-fellows-workshop/

'When? Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 6:30-8:00 PM UK GMT

Where? Online (Zoom)

UBI Lab Arts, UBI Lab Leeds, UBI Lab Network and Basic Income Ireland present:

Please join us for the fifth in our special series of discussions dedicated to reflecting on what we can learn from the Irish Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme, as it unfolds. The Government of Ireland is running a Basic Income pilot that began in September 2022. 2000 artists and cultural workers will receive a weekly unconditional income of €325 weekly for a period of three years. This fifth session will be an opportunity to check-in with some of the artists involved in the pilot scheme and learn from them about how it is affecting them and their creative communities.

To learn more, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/11/basic-income-for-the-arts-in-ireland-what-have-we-learned-after-26-months/

'The Palestinian Economic Policy Institute in Ramallah had asked me to draw up a proposal for an Emergency Basic Income, which I presented in Ramallah earlier this year.

To access that paper, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/11/recovery-dividends-an-emergency-basic-income-for-palestine/

'Recent concern about the uncertain impacts of artificial intelligence has fueled renewed discussion of universal basic income (UBI). As in the past, much of the conversation depicts UBI as a policy expedient aimed at relieving the adverse effects (presumably inescapable and impending) of technological unemployment. We must, however, rethink the main purpose of UBI. It is a sound policy initiative quite independent of the technology question. By aligning with many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UBI could be a global game-changer. Appreciating this, however, requires looking beyond growth in gross domestic product as the predominant indicator of economic progress.

To read the full article in the UN Chronicle, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/11/rethinking-universal-basic-income-economic-productivity-quality-of-life-and-the-sustainable-development-goals/

'The FRIBIS Annual Conference 2024 (7 – 9 October), held at the University of Freiburg, was titled “Towards the development of a full UBI? Perspectives on partial approaches in different welfare systems.” The conference brought together over 40 speakers and 79 registered participants, offering a hybrid format that enabled both in-person and online attendance via Zoom.

The conference was structured around three main themes: the first examining UBI as social security and its role in welfare systems, the second exploring the connection between basic income and ecological sustainability, and the third addressing international UBI models.

FRIBIS asked participants to share their personal impressions, asking questions like: Which debates have resonated most strongly? What new insights have emerged? Which questions remain unresolved? Answers to these and other questions, along with extensive photo documentation, can be found in a detailed conference report.

To read the report, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/11/fribis-anual-conference-report/

'This two-hour conversation with Dr. Karina Dotson and Dr. Elizabeth Rhodes will see the researchers behind the pioneering OpenResearch Unconditional Basic Income Pilot to present their initial results. This pilot was one of the largest UBI pilots to date and has generated significant media interest due to its scale, quality, and association with OpenAI Founder, Sam Altman. The pilot randomly assigned 1000 individuals to receive $1000 per month and 2000 individuals to receive $50 per month for three years. The study has involved multiple rounds of survey and in-depth qualitative research looking at impacts on work, wellbeing, health, education, and more. The session will combine an extended presentation and ample time for questions.

When? 3pm UK Time, Weds Nov 13th

For the Zoom link click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/11/zoom-openresearch-unconditional-cash-study-research-insights-and-early-learnings/

'UBI4ALL, a pioneering organization committed to advancing the concept of Unconditional Basic Income (UBI) worldwide, is excited to announce its 7th Basic Income raffle.

On November 24, 2024, UBI4ALL will award a life-changing €9,600 per year (€800 per month) to a lucky winner, expanding its reach beyond borders to empower individuals with financial stability. With this global expansion, UBI4ALL looks forward to announcing even more exciting developments in its upcoming LIVE raffle.

To read the press release, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/11/ubi4alls-7th-basic-income-raffle-november-24/

UBI in the Heartlands of Neoliberalism published by openDemocracy

Part 1 | Getting on with it

​

• UBI in the US ‘not just an idea’ – it’s achievable

Shafeka Hasash, Economic Security Project

• ‘Hope goes a long way’: BI as a lifeline for ex-prisoners

Kevin Scott, Community Spring

• Could a guaranteed income pave the way for racial justice?

Rachel Pyon, Deon Hodrick and Matthew Harvey, Equity and Transformation

• Direct cash transfers ‘could halve child poverty’ in Oregon

Antonio Gisbert, Oregon Rebate

• What can end the suffering of Black mothers and children in the US?
• Zea Malawa, University of California, Berkeley Public Health

Part 2 | Widening the politically possible

​

• UBI could mean justice for everyone. How do we get there?

Philippe Van Parijs, UCLouvain

• Basic income ‘won’t stop people working’: lessons from Canada
• Ben Earle and Sheila Regehr, Basic Income Canada Network
• Basic income could put food banks out of business
• David Beck, University of Salford and UBILab Food
• Basic income: why we need to start talking about money
• Cleo Goodman, Autonomy and the Basic Income Conversation
• Can cities do what national governments won’t on basic income?

Leandro Ferreira, Brazilian Basic Income Network

Part 3 | Getting the policy mix right

​

• It’s time for a welfare revolution in the UK

Vibhor Mathur, University of Bath

• Put the whole government to work rebuilding Britain

Matthew Johnson, Elliot Johnson and Kate Pickett, Northumbria University and University of York

• Does Labour dare to renew the welfare state?

Cleo Goodman, Autonomy

• Will Scotland be the first to guarantee a minimum income?

Ruth Boyle and David Eyre, Poverty Alliance

• Sustainable welfare for a sustainable planet

Nicholas Langridge and Milena Büchs, University of Bath and University of Leeds

• From dogma to data: a centrist case for pragmatic welfare reform

David Westlake, Cardiff University

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/11/special-series-of-publications-on-ubi-in-neoliberal-times/

'Dr. Sarath Davala, Lee Seng Kiat, Prof. Geoffrey and John Michael, Asia-Pacific Hub Manager for BIEN, have joined a Radio show to discuss ‘Can Malaysia implement a UBI’ in the show called Beyond the Ballot Box by Journalist Dashran Yohan.

To listen to the podcast, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/11/can-malaysia-implement-universal-basic-income/

'Photo by Anastasiia Chepinska on Unsplash

Abstract: This short paper reflects on the key lessons we can learn from the political debate around and policy experimentation with (emergency) basic income schemes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic crisis initially seems to have opened up a policy window for introducing a basic income as a crisis instrument, theoretical arguments and empirical observations strongly suggest the reliance of some basic income advocates on crisis events, such as the pandemic, to push forward their policy ideas involves wishful thinking rather than political reality. A feasible roadmap towards introducing basic income requires the hard work of raising public awareness, constructing broad constituencies, and building robust political coalitions rather than waiting for the next crisis to come around the corner.

To read the full paper, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/11/basic-income-in-crisis-hard-lessons-from-the-pandemic/

'Washington, DC, October 25, 2024 – The Income To Support All Foundation (ITSA), founded by globally renowned Universal Basic Income (UBI) expert Scott Santens, is proud to announce the successful completion of its $1.5 million fundraising goal for 2024. This milestone was achieved through a generous $500,000 grant and a matching $500,000 donation contingent upon raising an additional $500,000, which was accomplished with smaller grants from mission-aligned nonprofits and the help of individual supporters.

Approaching its third year of operation, ITSA Foundation remains committed to its mission “to support ambitious projects that help realize a foundation of unconditional universal basic income (UBI) through research, storytelling, and implementation.” After raising $53,000 in its first year, the Foundation’s success in hitting this year’s ambitious fundraising goal reflects remarkable growth in both reach and fundraising capacity.

To read the full press release, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/10/income-to-support-all-foundation-reaches-1-5-million-fundraising-goal/

'An International Memorandum “Basic income as a necessary component of a socio-ecological transformation and key element for climate justice” has been signed by BIEN.

At its General Assembly in Bath, UK, BIEN decided to sign the International Memorandum “Basic income as a necessary component of a socio-ecological transformation and key element for climate justice”.

The Memorandum, meanwhile signed by 39 Organizations and Initiatives and 47 academics and activists worldwide, was sent to the Club of Rome and will be sent to different UN-Organizations and Representatives. 

To read the memorandum in English, click here.

To read the memorandum in German, click here.

To read the memorandum in Spanish, click here.

To read the memorandum in French, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/10/basic-income-as-a-necessary-component-of-a-socio-ecological-transformation-and-key-element-for-climate-justice/

'Buford Farris, a stalwart of the basic income movement, died peacefully at aged 98 in Austin, Texas on October 5, 2024. His work was important in keeping the movement for a basic income guarantee alive during the difficult days in the late twentieth century and in building the movement again in the early years of the U.S. Basic Income Guarantee Network.

To read more click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/10/stalwart-of-the-basic-income-movement-buford-farris-has-died-at-98/

'Social protection schemes should be implemented to
the fullest extent possible, without excessive targeting or
conditionalities. Universal basic income schemes should be
seriously considered, and pilots carefully evaluated, given their
role in providing economic security and predictability.

Read the full two-page summary report by clicking here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/10/the-burnout-economy-poverty-and-mental-health-summary-report/

'Photo: Skorzewiak/shutterstock.com

Recent UBI trials reveal that guaranteed income provides immediate mental health relief, but sustaining long-term benefits may depend on lasting economic security.

Interest is surging in the idea of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) – a regular income paid by the government to each adult member of society, regardless of their personal or financial circumstances. But can it achieve its stated goals of reducing poverty, improving working conditions and increasing well-being? Thanks to a global flurry of pilot programmes putting these claims to the test, answers to this question are starting to trickle in.

To read the full article, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/10/can-universal-basic-income-really-improve-mental-health/

'A universal basic income (UBI) is a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all individuals, without means testing or work requirements. Today, a broad variety of ideas surrounding the topic of UBI circulate globally, leading to debates, suggestions, and experimentation, but not to the implementation of what is seen as a “full UBI.” Instead, basic income proposals differ among many dimensions, goals, and localities. Since the early 2000s, a curious trend can be observed in the Global South in this context: With the rise of conditional cash transfers (CCTs), the focus on conditionalities and targeting as development and poverty reduction tools has significantly influenced possible dealings with UBI ideas. But UBI scholars and advocates have influenced the CCT discourse likewise, for example, through the BIG grant in Namibia, the initiative of GiveDirectly in Kenya, the UBI pilot in Madhya Pradesh, India, or the intermingling of UBI advocacy with the social protection program Bolsa Familia in Brazil.

This winter school explores the multifaceted topic of UBI in the context of the Global South, providing an overview of the specific contexts, challenges, and outcomes of UBI pilots and experiments, as well as related and inspired policies and initiatives. It will explore the political and ethical considerations surrounding the debates on UBI in countries of the Global South, including the topics of social rights, equity, and the role of government intervention. Through a variety of case studies, it aims to create a critical understanding of the potential and limitations of UBI as a tool for social and economic transformation in so-called ‘developing countries.’

Attendance is free and can participation is welcome in person and online. Please register here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/10/new-ubi-bath-winter-school-basic-income-in-the-global-south/

'This two-hour conversation with Dr. Karina Dotson and Dr. Elizabeth Rhodes will see the researchers behind the pioneering OpenResearch Unconditional Basic Income Pilot to present their initial results. This pilot was one of the largest UBI pilots to date and has generated significant media interest due to its scale, quality, and association with OpenAI Founder, Sam Altman. The pilot randomly assigned 1000 individuals to receive $1000 per month and 2000 individuals to receive $50 per month for three years. The study has involved multiple rounds of survey and in-depth qualitative research looking at impacts on work, wellbeing, health, education, and more. The session will combine an extended presentation and ample time for questions.

When? 3pm UK Time, Weds Nov 13th

Where: For the Zoom link, click here.'

From: https://basicincome.org/news/2024/10/openresearch-unconditional-cash-study-research-insights-and-early-learnings/