Basic Income Grant
Pilot Project on Basic Income Grant
Since January 2008 1,000 people have received 100,- Namibia Dollars (approximately 8,- €) in the small village of Otjivero as a basic income. Resulting from an idea of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Republic of Namibia, the small village of Otjivero shall serve to check the effect, if all residents receive a basic monthly income from the state. Initial results are promising. The project has been launched by four big Namibian organisations hoping – should it be a success – for a nationwide introduction of the BIG-Model.
Village Experience
The small village of Otjivero is located approximately 100 km to the East of Windhoek. Since January 2008 all residents under 60 years of age have received a monthly income of 100,-- Namibia Dollars from the state. Thus, for the first time ever an attempt has been made to implement a social basic income in a so-called developing country. A lot of questions had to be clarified in advance. There was great concern that the beneficiaries would spend this new income on alcohol and other various questionable things. But the village residents have organized themselves and thus contributed with their own organization to the payment of the debts or helped facilitate personal economic activity of the recipients.
Initial Success
The biggest problems in the region of Otjivero-Omitara were caused by unemployment and HIV/AIDS. New perspectives will develop due to the payment of the BIG. Some people open new shops, others buy food for their children. Initial results prove that the children’s school and nutrition situation as well as the HIV patients’ provision has improved since the payment of the BIG. An evaluation of the model project is planned after 24 months in the year 2009. There is a remaining hope that a pilot project provides the foundation for a basic income for the whole Namibian nation.
You can transfer your donation to one of the following accounts:
Namibian account:
Account name: ELCRN - BIG Namibia
Name of Bank: First National Bank
Account number: 62146088457
Branch number: 281972
Branch name: Windhoek Commercial Suite
European account in Germany:
Account name: Blumhardt-Gemeinde HD-Kirchheim
Reference: BIG Namibia
Name of Bank: H+G Bank Heidelberg
Account number: 100 027 61
Branch Number (BLZ) 672 901 00
BIC: GENODE 61 HD 3
IBAN: DE66 6729 0100 0010 0027 61
For further information about the BIG Project please contact: Rev. Ute Hedrich, MÖWe Institute, Olpe 35, 44135 Dortmund, 0231 5409-74, ute.hedrich@moewe-westfalen.de .
