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.

Apprenticeships for the Modern World
Blog Posts

Apprenticeships for the Modern World

Employers across the country are putting Americans on the path to career success through expanded apprenticeship opportunities.

The Macro Benefits of Microbusinesses
Blog Posts

The Macro Benefits of Microbusinesses

Though the dollar amounts may be small, these additional incomes provide pathways by which families can exit poverty.

Upskilling in the New Year
Blog Posts

Upskilling in the New Year

We have an unprecedented opportunity to create, expand, and improve upskilling programs.

What’s new at the Economic Opportunities Program – January 2018
Blog Posts

What’s new at the Economic Opportunities Program – January 2018

Learn how EOP is driving change and helping low- and moderate-income Americans connect to and thrive in a changing economy.

Expanding Economic Opportunity: Ideas for Sustainable Change
Blog Posts

Expanding Economic Opportunity: Ideas for Sustainable Change

To expand economic opportunities, we need to pursue many strategies at the same time.

Job Quality Fellows Profile Series
Blog Posts Longform

Job Quality Fellows Profile Series

In this series, we profile the leaders who are innovating to create better quality jobs in our economy.

Job Quality: A Statement of Purpose
Blog Posts

Job Quality: A Statement of Purpose

To advance job quality, we must begin with a shared definition of a quality job.

Lyft Partners with Guild Education and Becomes First Gig-Economy Company to Provide Access To Education Services to Contractors
Blog Posts

Lyft Partners with Guild Education and Becomes First Gig-Economy Company to Provide Access To Education Services to Contractors

Drivers will have access to personalized college advising and tuition discounts for thousands of classes, certificates and degrees.

Starbucks College Achievement Plan welcomes its 1,000th graduate
Blog Posts

Starbucks College Achievement Plan welcomes its 1,000th graduate

More than 1,000 Starbucks partners have diplomas in hand and more than 9,000 partners are working toward their degree, thanks to the Starbucks College Achievement Plan.

We Need to Reframe Economic Inequality
Blog Posts

We Need to Reframe Economic Inequality

A discussion with Peter Georgescu about tackling economic inequality by thinking past surface income disparity.

Good Jobs Are Good Investments: Lessons from SOCAP 2017
Blog Posts

Good Jobs Are Good Investments: Lessons from SOCAP 2017

Are there better ways to accelerate shared efforts to engage businesses, workers, labor organizations, communities, investors, supply chains, and others to yield more good companies and good jobs?

Rethinking the Future of Retail
Blog Posts

Rethinking the Future of Retail

The rise of ecommerce, new technologies, and shifting business strategies are disrupting the retail industry as we know it.

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