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.

Cover for "Measuring Good Jobs and Good Companies" Backgrounder
Publications

Background Information on “Measuring Good Jobs and Good Companies”

Running a company with job quality in mind is good business.

Making Capitalism Smarter
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Making Capitalism Smarter

The United States needs to deliver more growth and more prosperity to more people. The annual Economic Security Summit brought together experts to figure out how.

Background Information for “The Justice System and Jobs”
Publications

Background Information for “The Justice System and Jobs”

Courts have always played an important role in setting labor policy.

First page of "Competing on Service: The Case for Good Jobs at the Omni Hotel"
Publications
BEST Corp: Quality Training for Quality Jobs
Publications

BEST Corp: Quality Training for Quality Jobs

Hospitality ranks among America’s fastest-growing sectors, but millions of hotel workers are not reaping the rewards.

Report cover for ' “Now Jobs” in Young Adult Workforce Programming'
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“Now Jobs” in Young Adult Workforce Programming

This report highlights an approach that builds a step of interim employment into the continuum of workforce development services for young adults.

Better Jobs, Better Country
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Better Jobs, Better Country

Too few jobs today are a real route to an economically stable life.

Background Information on Employee Share Ownership
Publications

Background Information on Employee Share Ownership

Strategies that transform workers into owners can give them a stake in our growing economy and include them in the nation’s prosperity.

FIELD "Price of Access" Report Cover
Publications

The Price of Access: How Scale-Focused Microlenders are Pricing for Growth

Loan pricing plays a significant role in determining the scale of microenterprise programs. How should microfinance institutions think about this issue as they work to expand credit to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Background Information on Latinos and the Future of the American Dream
Publications

Background Information on Latinos and the Future of the American Dream

How can we secure economic stability and mobility for Latino workers, families, and communities?

Background Information on Worker-Driven Social Responsibility
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Background Information on Worker-Driven Social Responsibility

How can worker-driven social responsibility improve economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income workers?

Investors look for upskilling
Publications

Investors look for upskilling

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
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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