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What is a UBI Lab?
A UBI Lab is a citizen-led group exploring and advocating for Universal Basic Income. Groups are themed geographically or by lived experience. There are currently 40 UBI Labs across the world with the majority located in the UK. Labs meet each month to share learning and contribute to a shared set of resources. The Labs are assisted by the UBI Lab staff team who offer skills, resource and expertise where needed to facilitate the aims of each UBI Lab.
We have grown rapidly over the pandemic and are currently in the process of updating this page (and the website). Please bear with us.
The UBI Lab Network
We currently have 25 UBI Labs and working groups. Many are UK based in towns and cites across the country (including Northern Ireland and Wales) and six are non-geographic, identity-based - UBI Lab Youth, UBI Lab Women, UBI Lab Arts, UBI Lab LGBTQ+, UBI Lab Disability and UBI Lab Food. A number of other themed Labs are in the pipeline.
We also have a number of international Labs, with conversations ongoing about others.
UBI Lab Sheffield began as a collaboration between multiple organisations and individuals seeking to explore the potential of a universal basic income and the possibility of a pilot in the city.
Formed in 2019, UBI Lab Liverpool was the second UBI Lab. It has now grown into a committee of basic income advocates across the Liverpool City Region. Through holding regular events - discussions, speeches, film nights and more - and acting as a pressure group for basic income in the city, UBI Lab Liverpool is an important addition to the UBI Lab Network.
Liverpool was the first city in England to pass a council motion calling for a UBI.
Our third Lab in the Network, UBI Lab Leeds are a group of Leeds residents convinced that UBI will provide an important step towards a compassionate, inclusive and resilient society.
They think that UBI acknowledges human dignity and our diverse contributions to society and supports sustainability, political and economic democracy and the sharing of power in society.
The first international Lab to join our network, The IndoBIG Network has been active as a group since 2016 in Indonesia.
Our tenth Lab in the Network, UBI Lab Northern Ireland is a group of people from across Northern Ireland committed to advancing UBI in the region.
In particular, they are advancing the idea of UBI as a 'Peace Dividend', which can help to rebuild, heal and transform post-conflict societies like Northern Ireland through providing everyone with basic economic security, support and dignity.
We are committed to promoting UBI as an idea across the whole of the Greater Manchester Region, at a grass roots and political level. We are exploring the possibility of a local pilot and are excited that GM Mayor Andy Burnham has publicly backed this idea.
London is the heart of the UK, known for its arts, diverse cultures, tourist attractions and vast wealth. Yet, that heart is failing, with severe underlying challenges, such as economic insecurity, the housing crisis and knife crime.
UBI Lab London hopes to help rectify that, by exploring the possibility of a universal basic income pilot in the capital.
We founded UBI Lab LGBTQ+ to provide the queer perspective on Universal Basic Income that's been missing from the movement so far.
How would a UBI help teenagers who have to leave home because of their sexuality or gender identity? How would income security help trans folk pay for a Gender Recognition Certificate? How will it close the LGBTQ+ pay gap? These are the questions we want to explore.
Our aim is to build a community of people and organisations interested to explore the role of UBI in supporting a food system transformation. This blog is a space where we share insights, stories, and updates about our projects, research, and events. Join us in the journey towards a more sustainable and equitable food system.
A citizen-led group, exploring & advocating for Universal Basic Income in Stroud. Founders Adrian, Chloe, Emma & Will.