The Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

We recognize that race, gender, and place intersect with and intensify the challenge of economic inequality and we address these dynamics by advancing an inclusive vision of economic justice. For over 25 years, EOP has focused on expanding individuals’ opportunities to connect to quality work, start businesses, and build economic stability that provides the freedom to pursue opportunity.

We collaborate with national and local leaders across the United States – nonprofit leaders, policymakers, labor leaders, business leaders, educators, academics, and more – and we actively seek input and ideas from individuals and communities affected by proposed approaches to address economic opportunity challenges. Through our leadership and fellowship programs; applied research and evaluation; data and analysis; and dialogue with diverse stakeholders, we work at both local and national levels to build understanding and galvanize action to address the challenge of economic opportunity in America.

Join our mailing list and follow us on social media for regular updates on our work.

The Value of Job Quality Partnerships for Small Businesses
Blog Posts

The Value of Job Quality Partnerships for Small Businesses

How can collaborative and creative partnerships benefit workers and businesses across the country?

Photo of a Lowe's employee scanning a box in a warehouse
Blog Posts

Upskilling in the News: Lowe’s Launches Debt-Free Education Program for more than 300,000 Associates

The benefit offers debt-free tuition assistance to associates for more than 50 academic programs across 23 universities and learning providers.

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, March 2022
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, March 2022

Confronting inequity, restoring the promise of work, and broadening opportunities are essential to building a more free, just, and equitable world.

Photo of a help wanted sign in the window of a pizza shop
Blog Posts

The US labor shortage is the deserved outcome of a systemic failure to value workers

The trauma that the pandemic inflicted on workers followed decades of declining wages and working conditions. To bring people back, make work better.

Hotel workers on strike in Chicago
Blog Posts

The History of the National Labor Relations Act and the Future of Worker Power

While their causes of discontent vary, it is clear that workers today are looking to renegotiate the terms of work.

Stressed out Black tech worker
Blog Posts

How Contract Work Drives Disparities in Tech

Temporary and contingent workers who work in tech have been largely locked out of the industry’s prosperity.

Upskilling in the News: MCAAD and Coursera Launch Tuition-Free Online Skills Program for Underemployed Workers
Blog Posts

Upskilling in the News: MCAAD and Coursera Launch Tuition-Free Online Skills Program for Underemployed Workers

The American Dream Academy will provide free certified skills training to 200,000 underserved Americans from companies like Google, IBM, and Meta.

Upskilling in the News: Amazon Expands Its Fully-Funded Education Program for Employees
Blog Posts

Upskilling in the News: Amazon Expands Its Fully-Funded Education Program for Employees

More than 140 colleges and universities have been added to the Career Choice program, which provides a fully funded education to participating employees.

Person welding and sparks flying
Blog Posts

Upskilling in the News: PepsiCo Launches Debt-Free Education Program for Employees

PepsiCo will cover 100% of tuition costs, books, and fees for more than 100 flexible education and upskilling programs in its debt-free catalog.

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, February 2022
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, February 2022

The pandemic and associated crises bring new urgency to our work to improve jobs, expand business ownership, and advance economic opportunity.

Photos of the 2022-23 Job Quality Fellows
Blog Posts

Aspen Institute’s 2022 Job Quality Fellows Advocating for Economy that Values Workers

The Job Quality Fellowship brings together leaders in communities across the country who are working to expand the availability of better quality jobs.

Financing the Small Business Recovery: 7 Key Facts and Challenges for 2022
Blog Posts

Financing the Small Business Recovery: 7 Key Facts and Challenges for 2022

Although the pandemic has taken a steep toll on small firms, there are also signs of resilience and optimism.

About the Economic Opportunities Program

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

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More from the Economic Opportunities Program

Foundational Skills: National Survey Findings
Publications

Foundational Skills: National Survey Findings

This publication examines how fragmented skills, credentialing, and workforce data systems limit the potential of skills-based hiring and advancement, and outlines a shared vision for building the interoperable infrastructure needed to create a connected skills ecosystem that benefits workers, employers, educators, and governments.

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Podcasts Videos

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers

This conversation is part of our Opportunity in America series, where we take a look at the economy, what’s working, what’s broken, and really how we fix it to make sure that everyone can succeed in today’s economy.

Resource Roundup: Wages and Affordability
Blog Posts
Room for Growth: A Survey of Upskilling Approaches — 2026 Analysis
Publications

Room for Growth: A Survey of Upskilling Approaches — 2026 Analysis

This publication examines how fragmented skills, credentialing, and workforce data systems limit the potential of skills-based hiring and advancement, and outlines a shared vision for building the interoperable infrastructure needed to create a connected skills ecosystem that benefits workers, employers, educators, and governments.

Building Economic Security: A Book Talk with Arindrajit Dube and Carrie Joy Grimes
Podcasts Videos

Building Economic Security: A Book Talk with Arindrajit Dube and Carrie Joy Grimes

Economic security shouldn’t be a lottery. Yet for millions of working families, stagnant wages and precarious jobs collide with the daily grind of managing money on shaky ground — leaving stability feeling less like a plan and more like a gamble. Fixing that takes more than one lever. It takes structural reform and the tools people need to take control of their financial lives, working together.

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers
Publications

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers

Insights from Focus Groups with Employee Owners