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.

Publications

Good Job Inventory: Understand and Measure the Quality of Jobs You Offer

How good are the jobs in your small business? Use this tool to check what you’re doing well and where you can improve.

June 12, 2025

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Implementation

Effective change management, communication, and stakeholder engagement are essential for overcoming challenges and ensuring long-term success.

June 12, 2025

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Metrics

Measuring the impact of upskilling is crucial for demonstrating its value and driving continuous improvement.

June 5, 2025

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Program Components

Designing effective upskilling programs requires a holistic approach that considers various interconnected components.

May 29, 2025

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Types of Upskilling

Upskilling is not one-size-fits-all. Organizations must strategically select the right types to align with business and employee growth.

May 19, 2025

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Ecosystem

Developing a 21st century workforce requires an intentional ecosystem approach that connects talent development to business priorities.

May 19, 2025

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Overview

This playbook provides guidance for people leaders, business executives, and decision-makers to design and implement effective upskilling strategies.

May 19, 2025

Publications

Upskilling Playbook for Employers

This playbook is a strategic guide for organizations to build, scale, and integrate skills-based workforce development initiatives that drive business performance and career growth

May 19, 2025

Publications

Improving Job Quality Through Data-Driven Impact Procurement

The role of private sector procurement and how it can be leveraged to affect economic opportunities for workers has become a critical area for attention.

April 21, 2025

Publications

Shared Success Midpoint Evaluation Overview

One third of businesses reported adding employee benefits since baseline. The main employee benefits offered at midline are PTO (69%), paid sick leave (56%), health insurance (54%), and professional development opportunities (50%). These have both financial and opportunity costs to firms.

April 21, 2025

Publications
Publications

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.