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.

When a Second Chance at Education Changes Your Life
Blog Posts

When a Second Chance at Education Changes Your Life

The fact that Walmart is willing to invest in the education of eligible family members like myself is a blessing.

Putting Knowledge into Action: ‘Communities That Work’ Enhances Arizona’s IT Workforce Initiatives
Blog Posts

Putting Knowledge into Action: ‘Communities That Work’ Enhances Arizona’s IT Workforce Initiatives

Arizona Commerce Authority’s Sandra Watson outlines the role of the Communities that Work Partnership in enhancing the state’s workforce development strategies for one of its fastest growing industries.

Buffalo Niagara Region Looks to National Best Practices to Inform Workforce Development Strategies
Blog Posts

Buffalo Niagara Region Looks to National Best Practices to Inform Workforce Development Strategies

Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s Liz Callahan explains how the organization looked to national best practices to inform their workforce development strategies, as part of the Communities that Work Partnership.

UpSkill Houston: Strengthening our Residents, Key Industry Sectors and the Regional Economy
Blog Posts

UpSkill Houston: Strengthening our Residents, Key Industry Sectors and the Regional Economy

Greater Houston Partnership’s Peter Beard reflects on experiences upskilling Houston as part of the Communities that Work Partnership.

Two people discussing the Mountain View Working Scholars Program.
Blog Posts

5 Questions for Tony Siress, President and CEO of the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, on the Mountain View Working Scholars Program

A new upskilling initiative provides free college degrees to people who live and work in Mountain View, California.

Study Finds Investing in Employee Higher Education Results in Cost Savings for Major Financial Services Company
Blog Posts

Study Finds Investing in Employee Higher Education Results in Cost Savings for Major Financial Services Company

Tuition assistance programs help build skills, improve the bottom line, and increase involvement in the community.

The Importance of a First Job
Blog Posts

The Importance of a First Job

For young people, getting a first job is crucial to set up future success. But how can we increase access to them?

Economic Opportunities Program – November 2016 Newsletter
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program – November 2016 Newsletter

The latest news & announcements from the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program.

Twitter Chat: Building Ladders and Raising the Floor
Blog Posts

Twitter Chat: Building Ladders and Raising the Floor

How can we improve job quality for low-wage workers? The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program discussed this question and more during this week’s #talkgoodjobs Twitter chat.

U.S. Workers Need a Workforce Safety Net
Blog Posts

U.S. Workers Need a Workforce Safety Net

Interior of a Walmart store
Blog Posts

Walmart’s New Secret Weapon for Success? Big Bonuses and Vital Training for Employees

Walmart opened its first training academy to teach new employees critical retail skills.

Football
Blog Posts

5 Questions for Greg Kish, VP of Sales & Service, Legends @ Los Angeles Rams

Greg Kish describes how the team used mobile gaming to recruit, hire, and train a brand new workforce.

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