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.

Re-introducing the Job Quality Center of Excellence
Blog Posts

Re-introducing the Job Quality Center of Excellence

At the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, we believe that every US job should be–and can be–a good job. But for too many workers, that is far from reality. That is why we launched the Job Quality Center of Excellence.

Upcoming Events from the Economic Opportunities Program — April 2026
Blog Posts

Upcoming Events from the Economic Opportunities Program — April 2026

We hope you’ll join us at one of our upcoming events. Everyone who registers will receive a link to the recording, so please sign up even if you can’t participate live.

Economic Opportunities Program Monthly Digest — March 2026
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Monthly Digest — March 2026

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

What Employers Really Want: Paper Series
Blog Posts

What Employers Really Want: Paper Series

There are five publications in this series about durable skills. With support from Western Governors University, UpSkill America had the opportunity to dig deeper into durable skills and attitudes to gain a better understanding of how US employers valued and prioritized these capacities in their early-career hires.
https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/turning-internships-into-strategic-investments-lessons-from-employers
Blog Posts

Turning Internships Into Strategic Investments: Lessons From Employers

As this work continues to evolve, we must move beyond polite conversation and into systemic redesign. We cannot solve the problems that lie ahead using the maps of the past.

Apprenticeships and Internships Are Not the Same
Blog Posts

Apprenticeships and Internships Are Not the Same

As this work continues to evolve, we must move beyond polite conversation and into systemic redesign. We cannot solve the problems that lie ahead using the maps of the past.

Views from Capitol Hill
Blog Posts

Views from Capitol Hill

Economic Opportunities Program Upcoming Events — March 2026
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Upcoming Events — March 2026

We hope you’ll join us at one of our upcoming events, which you can learn about here. Everyone who registers will receive a link to the recording, so please sign up even if you can’t participate live.

Rethinking Learning and Opportunity: Insights from the Century Summit VI
Blog Posts

Rethinking Learning and Opportunity: Insights from the Century Summit VI

As this work continues to evolve, we must move beyond polite conversation and into systemic redesign. We cannot solve the problems that lie ahead using the maps of the past.

Economic Opportunities Program Monthly Digest — February 2026
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Monthly Digest — February 2026

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

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