Eight is a Belgian nonprofit (vzw) based in Sint-Niklaas that pays unconditional monthly cash transfers to every adult and child in whole villages in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, delivered by mobile money over two-year programmes. It is funded entirely by private donations and independently evaluated by university research partners.
None (fiat). Mobile money over GSM.
Private donations from individuals and foundations, mostly Belgian/European. Eight targets sending 90% of funds raised directly to recipients, with 10% for delivery infrastructure and fundraising.
Belgian vzw (nonprofit association), with independent research partners: IOB at the University of Antwerp for Uganda and IPIS for DR Congo.
Not identified on the current site; the project was launched in 2017 by a Belgian nonprofit team behind the "Eight" documentary project.
11 villages total (8 in Uganda, 3 in DR Congo); 4 programmes completed, 7 currently running. Currently supporting 1,584 adults and 2,344 children, with EUR 708,288 distributed directly. A Nebbi district programme with 138 farmers from 61 households runs 27 July 2024 - 27 July 2026. Supported by 2,317 donors.
- Programmes are two years long per village rather than permanent, so this is village-scale unconditional basic income with a fixed horizon.
- One of the few non-state UBI programmes that is genuinely universal within its geography (adults and children alike).
- Original 2017 Fort Portal pilot covered 56 adults and 88 children.