Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN)

The Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) is a global organization dedicated to research, policy development, and advocacy around universal basic income (UBI). Founded in the 1980s, BIEN brings together academics, policymakers, activists, and citizens interested in exploring unconditional income guarantees as a potential solution to poverty and economic inequality.

BIEN operates as an international network with affiliated national and regional chapters across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The organization hosts biennial international congresses that convene researchers and practitioners to share findings, debate policy approaches, and coordinate advocacy efforts. BIEN publishes research, maintains a knowledge repository, and facilitates dialogue between diverse stakeholders including economists, social scientists, and grassroots movements.

The network has grown significantly since its inception, particularly as UBI has gained mainstream policy attention in recent years. BIEN serves as a central hub connecting academic research on basic income with real-world pilot programs and policy experiments conducted by governments and NGOs worldwide.