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.

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Office workers gathered around a tablet
Blog Posts
Upskill America: Creating Pathways to the Middle-Class
Blog Posts

Upskill America: Creating Pathways to the Middle-Class

A new public-private effort will help people get ahead through an initiative called “upskilling”.

The White House Summit On Working Families
Blog Posts

The White House Summit On Working Families

Maureen Conway was a featured panelist at this year’s White House Summit On Working Families.

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Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Discusses Big Ideas for Jobs

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program recently hosted the second installment of its Big Ideas for Job Creation series, entitled Beyond Public Stimulus. This event focused on strategies that have demonstrated the potential to expand employment opportunities for individuals and communities. The wide-ranging conversation included discussions about ownership opportunities for low-income families and teaching skills to individuals for better work force preparedness.

Gap Disrupts Minimum Wage Discussion: Employees and Brand Benefit
Blog Posts

Gap Disrupts Minimum Wage Discussion: Employees and Brand Benefit

This increase in workers’ wages could well turn out to be a profitable investment.

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Blog Posts

The Cost of Living Without Paid Sick Leave

What We Know About Microcredit in the US
Blog Posts

What We Know About Microcredit in the US

There is a very diverse market of individuals in our country who have entrepreneurial desires and talent, but lack access to financing.

Fact Sheet on Foreign-Born Workforce
Blog Posts

Fact Sheet on Foreign-Born Workforce

The immigrant workforce contributes to the nation’s skills, knowledge, and labor across the economy with immigrant workers in every sector of the economy—from child care and home health to information technology and construction.

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