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.

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Blog Posts

Catching Up to the Future of Work: State Commissions Address an Evolving Labor Force

The future of work is now. Here’s how commissions and task forces at the state level are taking action to remedy a fractured economy.

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, September 2021
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, September 2021

The COVID-19 crisis brings new urgency to our work to improve jobs, expand business ownership, and advance economic opportunity.

Photo of a young woman factory worker wearing a hard hat and reflector vest. She is smiling and holding an electronic tablet.
Blog Posts

An Update on Upskilling in America – Summer 2021

Let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the exciting advancements we have seen in the upskilling movement over the last few months.

Photo of a worker scanning goods in a warehouse
Blog Posts

Cash Transfers Can Facilitate Better Jobs

We need a floor of security upon which to build a robust, sustainable, and equitable labor market.

Photo of a woman working at a laptop with technology symbols floating around her
Blog Posts

The Lasting Impact of 2020: How 2020 Transformed Businesses, Skills, and Equity at Work

We spoke with employers to learn how the pandemic and heightened attention to racial inequities influenced company plans for the months and years ahead.

Photo of a young woman with a face mask working in a cafe, wiping down a plastic barrier.
Blog Posts

For Labor to Be Genuinely Valued, We All Have Work to Do

Job quality is a choice, and we can choose to make it better.

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, August 2021
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, August 2021

The COVID-19 crisis brings new urgency to our work to improve jobs, expand business ownership, and advance economic opportunity.

Don’t Blame Workers for a Shortage of Good Jobs
Blog Posts

Don’t Blame Workers for a Shortage of Good Jobs

The labor shortage myth says people don’t want to work, but the truth is more complicated.

Economic Opportunities Program Congratulates Liz Shuler and AFL-CIO on Her Election as President
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Congratulates Liz Shuler and AFL-CIO on Her Election as President

Liz has played a leading role in advancing job quality, racial and gender equity, and economic justice.

Advancing Frontline Employee Voice: Knowledge is Power
Blog Posts

Advancing Frontline Employee Voice: Knowledge is Power

Jenny Weissbourd and Yoorie Chang join Talent Rewire to discuss the importance of giving workers a voice on the job.

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