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.

Connecting Young Adults To Employment: Results From A National Survey Of Service Providers
Publications

Connecting Young Adults To Employment: Results From A National Survey Of Service Providers

This report captures the insights of a variety of service providers helping to connect young adults to jobs in today’s labor market.

The Future of Work for Low-Income Workers and Families
Publications

The Future of Work for Low-Income Workers and Families

This brief reviews the major forces shaping the future of work, including changes in labor and employment practices, business models, access to income and benefits, worker rights and voice, education and training, and technology.

Working Together And Making A Difference
Publications

Working Together And Making A Difference

This report demonstrates ways that community colleges and nonprofit workforce organizations can launch or expand upon existing partnerships.

Recasting American Apprenticeship: A Summary of the Barriers to Apprenticeship Expansion Research Project
Publications

Recasting American Apprenticeship: A Summary of the Barriers to Apprenticeship Expansion Research Project

Findings and a set of recommendations for businesses to realize apprenticeship as a workforce development strategy.

Narrowing the Racial Wealth Gap through Business Ownership
Publications

Narrowing the Racial Wealth Gap through Business Ownership

This guide identifies tools and strategies funders can employ to advance business ownership as a means to build wealth and reduce the racial and ethnic wealth gap.

Transforming U.S. Workforce Development Policies for the 21st Century
Publications

Transforming U.S. Workforce Development Policies for the 21st Century

This publication explores how new policies and practice can meet the changing needs of workers, businesses and their communities.

The 1099 Workforce and Contingent Workers
Publications

The 1099 Workforce and Contingent Workers

As work evolves, how should policies evolve to ensure work still leads to a better future?

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Publications

COLLABORATE in the classroom. COMPETE in the marketplace.

How exactly does one workforce intermediary issue over 30,000 certifications to students in a single year?

Microbusiness, Gainful Jobs – Findings Brief on Millennials
Publications

Microbusiness, Gainful Jobs – Findings Brief on Millennials

This brief focuses on findings related to the experiences of millennials and the quality of jobs provided by microenterprises.

Microbusiness, Gainful Jobs – A Statistical Profile of Microenterprise Employees
Publications

Microbusiness, Gainful Jobs – A Statistical Profile of Microenterprise Employees

In this in-depth qualitative study, the FIELD team spoke with a sample of employees of microenterprises in five cities: New York, Miami, Chicago, Denver, and San Diego.

Microbusiness, Gainful Jobs – Findings Brief on Creating Opportunity
Publications

Microbusiness, Gainful Jobs – Findings Brief on Creating Opportunity

This brief highlights findings regarding the role that microbusiness jobs played in providing opportunities for the individuals who face the greatest challenges in connecting to and succeeding in our economy.

Microenterprise Jobs by the Numbers
Publications

Microenterprise Jobs by the Numbers

Our national survey of business owners served by microenterprise programs gives us a broad numeric picture of microenterprise jobs.

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