Basic Income Earth Network

South Africa is beginning funding talks for a new Basic Income Support (BIS) grant. Consultations will begin with the National Treasury to secure funding. The redesigned grant is intended to support job-seeking, training, and small business opportunities zurl.co/2BWCd

LETTER: Basic income could advance gender equity in Guelph Financial instability keeps some women trapped in unsafe relationships and leaves single mothers and caregivers struggling despite working hard, writes a local advocate in advance of International Women's Day

A letter in Guelph Today states that basic income could advance gender equity. It notes financial insecurity can trap some women in unsafe situations and limit independence. The cash support could strengthen economic stability and expand personal choice. zurl.co/UXO8C

Ex–presidential candidate Andrew Yang warns that millions of white-collar workers will lose their jobs within 18 months: ‘The AI jobpocalypse is here’ | Fortune “This is going to displace marketers, coders, designers, lawyers, accountants, call center workers—you name it,” the former presidential candidate Andrew Yang has warned.

Andrew Yang warns that AI could displace millions of white-collar jobs within the next 12–18 months, calling it a “jobpocalypse.” says a universal basic income should be part of the policy response to support workers through this shift. zurl.co/9y19Q

Wales has published the 2025–2026 annual evaluation report on its Basic Income for Care Leavers pilot. The report presents qualitative insights from participants and professionals about experiences, well-being, autonomy, and financial decision-making. zurl.co/8D7Ds

New social grant on the cards for South Africa Plans are underway to introduce a basic income support grant in South Africa, with the social relief of distress grant set to be the blueprint.

South Africa is considering a permanent Basic Income Grant, building on its extended Social Relief of Distress (SRD) programme. The government has extended the temporary SRD grant through 2027 and is working on policy options for a basic income grant. zurl.co/N1QUK

Another round of $500 checks automatically sent out from $2.5 million program AMERICANS are in line to automatically receive yet another round of $500 payments from a $2.5 million pot. The much-needed money comes from a...

Indianapolis’ IndyEast Guaranteed Income Initiative is distributing a monthly $500 to low-income residents. The program is aimed at reducing eviction risk and strengthening financial stability in the face of high rent and cost-of-living pressures. zurl.co/y4ndO

Our March newsletter edition for the UBI piloters' Network is out! Here we share findings, best practices, and collaborations across UBI pilot efforts worldwide. Access and join our network through the link. zurl.co/DxSvL

Registration is now open for the BIEN 2026 Congress, the global gathering on unconditional basic income. Prospective attendees can sign up to participate in discussions, presentations, and networking with researchers, advocates, and policymakers. zurl.co/34iKf

Americans to automatically get monthly $1k checks from new $2m 'safe' program AMERICANS are in line to see $1,000 checks automatically deposited in their bank accounts for 24 months from a $2 million pot. The cash will...

Los Angeles has launched a targeted guaranteed basic income pilot called STAY SAFE to support transitional-aged youth and survivors of intimate partner violence with $1,000/month for 2years. The program builds on the city’s earlier BIG: LEAP initiative. zurl.co/ZDJYM

The official site for the BIEN 2026 Congress is now live. It provides details on dates, venue, themes, speakers, and registration for the global gathering of researchers, advocates, and policymakers focused on basic income and related policy innovations. zurl.co/EJ5EG

Residents of Jangsu County in South Korea have received the first rural basic income payments under a new local programme. The initiative provides monthly cash as a means to support rural economies, reduce inequality and strengthen financial security zurl.co/s7eTy

An opinion in The Big Issue highlights Ireland’s Basic Income for Artists as a way to respect creativity and address economic pressures. Unconditional cash support affirms the value of creative work as AI reshapes labour markets and culture. zurl.co/cwgDm

The “Elevate Boulder” art exhibit in Boulder showcases stories from participants in the city’s two-year guaranteed income pilot. Unconditional cash helped residents meet basic needs like food, rent, and health care, reducing stress and promoting stability zurl.co/dpUOa

GUARANTEED INCOME POLICIES PROPOSED AT THE STATE LEVEL IN OVER HALF THE COUNTRY /PRNewswire/ -- As the affordability crisis continues to squeeze working families and an increasingly large majority of Americans struggle to make ends meet,...

Guaranteed income policies are being proposed at the state level in over half of the United States. State leaders in more than 20 states have introduced bills to explore recurring, unconditional cash programs as a response to affordability challenges. zurl.co/0RCK8

Marshall Islands launches first universal basic income scheme to stop outward migration - ABC News Citizens of the Marshall Islands will receive "free money" as the government launches a world-first universal basic income scheme. 

"Out of every 1,000 births, we have 300 deaths, and of the remaining 700, about 30 per cent migrate. If we can provide an incentive like UBI, it's an investment in our people." Mr Paul said the UBI program would offer citizens an incentive to stay. zurl.co/fYClF

Volunteer Opportunities in BIEN! We invite you to support us in advancing basic income worldwide. Roles include helping with communications, events, research, and outreach to strengthen the global movement for unconditional cash policies. Apply today! zurl.co/WL28J

Researchers in Luxembourg suggest Universal Basic Income (UBI) may mitigate AI’s impact on the workforce and strengthen economic security as automation reshapes labour markets, even as policy design and fiscal implications remain under study. zurl.co/G24ol

Happy New Year 2026 Basic Income Week Supporters | BIEN — Basic Income Earth Network

BIEN supporters marked the start of Basic Income Week 2026 with a global message of support for the basic income movement. Now you can vote till the end of February 2026 for a Motto to the 19th International Basic Income Week. zurl.co/gwZQ4

Transformative Justice in Conservation Finance: Basic Income for Nature and Climate (BINC) Robert Fletcher and colleagues present Basic Income for Nature and Climate (BINC), an innovative funding mechanism that directly addresses social justice and ecological conservation simultaneously.

Researchers and conservation advocates are exploring Basic Income for Nature and Climate (BINC). This proposal links regular, unconditional cash payments to biodiversity and climate finance to support communities in and around critical ecosystems. zurl.co/nDORL

Eighteenth-Century Takes on Basic Income - JSTOR Daily Universal basic income has gotten some serious twenty-first-century play, but the idea is hardly new.

Eighteenth-century thinkers wrestled with ideas similar to universal basic income long before modern debates. See how early philosophers and economists discussed unconditional support and social security in ways that echo today’s UBI conversations zurl.co/tfCr9

Ireland’s basic income for the arts scheme becomes permanent When piloted, initiative that provided €325 a week to eligible artists recouped more than its net cost, study shows

Ireland has made its Basic Income for the Arts scheme permanent, the first of its kind globally.
Under the programme, 2,000 selected artists will receive weekly, unconditional cash payments (€325) to support creative work and reduce financial insecurity. zurl.co/DavoG

Guaranteed Income Improves Food Security for Black Households in Georgia, Study Finds | Newswise Guaranteed income programs may reduce food insecurity and improve nutrition among low-income Black households in the state of Georgia, according to a new study led by the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. 

The In Her Hands pilot provided regular, unconditional cash over two years, and participants reported higher food security and better nutrition than comparison groups, evidence that steady cash transfers can directly reduce hunger and improve well-being. zurl.co/9F0SC

In The Atlantic, Andrew Yang’s advocacy for his “Freedom Dividend” is getting renewed attention in the context of AI-driven job loss and why UBI has yet to become mainstream despite growing concern about automation and economic insecurity. zurl.co/nLrBw

Opinion: New York families deserve more than survival. A guaranteed income will help. Pilot programs in Ithaca, Rochester and Mount Vernon show the value of providing cash support without strings attached.

Guaranteed income pilots evidence that recurring, unconditional payments have helped residents afford food and rent, reduce debt, and improve well-being. City & State NY argues such policies should be expanded to New York families. zurl.co/KV2IP

Universal Basic Income Ideas Surge as AI-Linked Layoffs Rise Learn how universal basic income is gaining traction with recent layoffs linked to artificial intelligence initiatives in major firms.

Discussions about Universal Basic Income are rising as AI-linked layoffs and automation reshape labour markets. Tech firms have cut tens of thousands of jobs, prompting renewed policy talks on UBI as a potential tool for economic security. zurl.co/5hZ5X

Bristol Unpacked: Ani Townsend discusses universal basic income Independent. Investigative. Indispensable.

Bristol Green councillor Ani Townsend discusses how Universal Basic Income could address inequality and support the arts. In a Bristol Unpacked interview, Townsend urged a government-funded UBI trial for creative workers and other groups in Bristol. zurl.co/JrCb9

UBI Piloters' Network Newsletter 25, Feb, 2026

Our February newsletter edition for the UBI piloters' Network is out! Here we share findings, best practices, and collaborations across UBI pilot efforts worldwide. Access and join our network through the link. zurl.co/zLqsU

The US is headed for mass unemployment, and no one is prepared Universal Basic Income is no longer a liberal fantasy but a stability mechanism in the face of AI-driven job displacement. It's time to face reality.

This article from The Hill argues AI could accelerate unemployment across sectors, making Universal Basic Income part of the policy response to protect economic security as labour markets evolve. zurl.co/kRgvZ

Universal basic income is needed to cushion blow from AI job losses, says UK minister Lord Jason Stockwood had previously suggested tech companies could pay windfall levy to fund payments

UK investment minister Lord Jason Stockwood says a Universal Basic Income may be needed to cushion job losses from AI as automation grows. He argues that rising AI adoption could eliminate jobs quickly and that UBI could act as a financial safety net zurl.co/kpQF6

Should artists get a basic income like they do in Ireland? Could the government pay salaries to musicians and artists - no strings attached like they do in Ireland?

The BBC reports on basic income for artists, spotlighting Ireland’s ongoing scheme. It highlights
that a guaranteed income could provide financial stability for creators and help sustain cultural work. zurl.co/MTeX3