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.

The CRA Podcast with Joyce Klein and Brett Simmons (EBA Fund)
Blog Posts Podcasts

EBA Fund, Converting the Promise of Entrepreneurship into Assets That Build Economic Inclusion and Equity

This episode of the CRA Podcast looks at the Entrepreneur Backed Assets Fund, which has created a secondary market for small business loans.

January 30, 2021

Photos of Van Ton-Quinlivan and Jaime Fall alongside the text: "WorkforceRx with Futuro Health. Podcast Episode 1: Invest in a Culture of Learning. Our guest: Jaime S. Fall, Director, UpSkill America, The Aspen Institute"
Blog Posts Podcasts

Jaime Fall Talks Upskilling on “WorkforceRx” Podcast

What does the pandemic mean for the upskilling movement?

September 4, 2020

Blog Posts Podcasts

Why Can’t Entrepreneurs of Color Access Stimulus Funds? Joyce Klein Talks PPP on Business Casual Podcast

Joyce Klein, director of the Business Ownership Initiative, spoke with Kinsey Grant on Morning Brew’s Business Casual podcast to discuss why businesses owned by entrepreneurs of color have had difficulty accessing stimulus funds provided through the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

July 7, 2020

Blog Posts Podcasts

Race, Society, and the Coronavirus Crisis

The coronavirus crisis is impacting poor, low-income, and people of color disproportionately.

May 6, 2020

All Things Work Podcast by SHRM
Blog Posts Podcasts

Jaime Fall talks upskilling on “All Things Work” podcast

Jaime Fall shares how upskilling can help companies stay competitive and examples of initiatives from around the country.

February 24, 2020

Two warehouse workers give each other a high five.
Blog Posts Podcasts

Jaime Fall Talks Upskilling on the Workforce Central Podcast

Jaime Fall discusses the trends driving companies to invest in upskilling and the growing array of programs being offered in this space.

July 23, 2019

UpSkill America Director Jaime Fall
Blog Posts Podcasts

Podcast: Providing Opportunity Onramps Through Upskilling

As the labor market tightens, upskilling can help people move into better jobs and help companies create a stronger workforce.

May 10, 2019

Fortune Favors the Bold
Blog Posts Podcasts

Podcast: “Reskilling: Good for Workers…and Companies, too”

UpSkill America Director Jaime Fall describes why upskilling is a great investment for workers and businesses alike.

December 11, 2018

Retail America: Pathways to Opportunity - Retail Opportunity Network
Blog Posts Podcasts

Podcast: The Benefits of Upskilling Frontline Workers

Upskill America Director Jamie Fall shares how upskilling programs benefit frontline workers and their employers.

December 10, 2018

Auto worker welding a car
Blog Posts Podcasts

Producing a Sustainable, Highly Skilled Workforce

The National Coalition of Certification Centers is developing partnerships with educational institutions in transportation, energy, and aviation.

July 23, 2018

Worker behind counter in fish market
Blog Posts Podcasts

Joyce Klein talks reentry and entrepreneurship on the “Own It” podcast

On the “Own It” podcast, Joyce Klein describes how business ownership can help the formerly incarcerated reenter their communities.

June 14, 2018

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

Blog Posts

UpSkill America & Guild Announce Third Cohort of Education and Career Mobility Fellowship

“We are delighted to welcome this new class of Fellows,” said UpSkill America Senior Director Haley Glover. “Supporting these leaders, who are joining a thriving community of alumni, to advance in their work and careers creating real value for their organizations and opportunities for their workforces is so rewarding. This is an incredibly impressive group.”

Blog Posts Of Interest

National Job Quality Practitioner Survey

We’re in the last month of our #JobQuality survey. If your org is improving #JobQuality, add your voice to this survey from The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program by December 31st.

Blog Posts

Institutional Investment and Employee Ownership

Of Interest

Transcript — Backsliding on Child Protections: The Return of Child Labor in the US

The following transcript comes from our webinar, “Backsliding on Child Protections: The Return of Child Labor in the US,” hosted by the Economic Opportunities Program on November 19, 2025.

Blog Posts

Job Quality Newsletter – Low Quality, High Costs

In this edition of the Job Quality Newsletter, we unpack why manufacturing jobs are often seen as desirable yet don’t consistently deliver on that promise, highlight research that shows how efforts to strengthen businesses can also improve the quality of jobs they provide, and consider how government purchasing power can be used to set higher job standards across the sector.

Blog Posts
Close-up photo of hands typing on a laptop keyboard
Publications

Upskilling Playbook: AI, Skill Development, and the Workforce

Leaders must view AI adoption as a development opportunity to redefine how capability is built, focusing on outcomes and consciously reinvesting capacity freed by automation to ensure growth and resilience for both the business and its people.