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.

Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Monthly Digest — August 2025

We are pleased to present a selection of our work from the past month.

August 29, 2025

Blue bus moving on the road in city in early morning
Blog Posts

To improve economic opportunity, we need better transit

Choosing to design and fund transit that maximizes workers’ access to jobs and services offers a path toward a fairer economic future.

August 28, 2025

Graphic image featuring headshots of four speakers: Sarah St.Onge, Adrian Flores, Ashley Bell, and Juan Carlos Lopez.
Blog Posts
Blog Posts

Job Quality Newsletter – Rest is Essential Work

In this issue we offer strategies for ensuring that work provides the means for a dignified, quality life, rather than work itself becoming life.

August 25, 2025

Blog Posts

Power, Agency, and Autonomy: The Future of Worker Voice

April Verrett

August 12, 2025

Blog Posts
Graphic image featuring headshots of three speakers: Rachel Hockenberger, Sean-Tamba Matthew, and Kevin Clegg.
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Small Business, Community, and Local Ownership

August 6, 2025

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Economic Opportunities Program Monthly Digest — July 2025

We are pleased to present a selection of our work from the past month, including videos, commentary, events, and more.

August 4, 2025

group of Fellows
Blog Posts

Moving Beyond a “Marriage” to Education

Last week, our second cohort of the Education and Career Mobility Fellowship gathered in Indianapolis for their third and final seminar. Over three days of discussion and collaboration, a clear theme emerged: the growth our fellows experienced was fueled by the power of their collective.

August 4, 2025

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Local Leaders Advancing Workforce Development

Meet the over 100 Fellows — from six regions across the country — who are working toward systems change.

August 1, 2025

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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

Blog Posts

UpSkill America & Guild Announce Third Cohort of Education and Career Mobility Fellowship

“We are delighted to welcome this new class of Fellows,” said UpSkill America Senior Director Haley Glover. “Supporting these leaders, who are joining a thriving community of alumni, to advance in their work and careers creating real value for their organizations and opportunities for their workforces is so rewarding. This is an incredibly impressive group.”

Blog Posts Of Interest

National Job Quality Practitioner Survey

We’re in the last month of our #JobQuality survey. If your org is improving #JobQuality, add your voice to this survey from The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program by December 31st.

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Institutional Investment and Employee Ownership

Of Interest

Transcript — Backsliding on Child Protections: The Return of Child Labor in the US

The following transcript comes from our webinar, “Backsliding on Child Protections: The Return of Child Labor in the US,” hosted by the Economic Opportunities Program on November 19, 2025.

Blog Posts

Job Quality Newsletter – Low Quality, High Costs

In this edition of the Job Quality Newsletter, we unpack why manufacturing jobs are often seen as desirable yet don’t consistently deliver on that promise, highlight research that shows how efforts to strengthen businesses can also improve the quality of jobs they provide, and consider how government purchasing power can be used to set higher job standards across the sector.

Blog Posts
Close-up photo of hands typing on a laptop keyboard
Publications

Upskilling Playbook: AI, Skill Development, and the Workforce

Leaders must view AI adoption as a development opportunity to redefine how capability is built, focusing on outcomes and consciously reinvesting capacity freed by automation to ensure growth and resilience for both the business and its people.