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.

Focused on Growth: Scaling Business Development Services in the United States 
Publications

Focused on Growth: Scaling Business Development Services in the United States 

This document summarizes the experience and lessons of six Scale Academy members with substantial focus on business development services.

Building Financial Skills for Business Success: A Case Study of the Latino Economic Development Corporation
Publications

Building Financial Skills for Business Success: A Case Study of the Latino Economic Development Corporation

In this case study, FIELD highlights the work of DC-based Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC).

Job Creation in Microenterprise Development: 2009 Client Outcomes
Publications

Job Creation in Microenterprise Development: 2009 Client Outcomes

This issue in the FIELD Trendlines series, using data collected by MicroTest members through the client outcomes survey process, explores employment generated by microenterprises, for both the owner as well as other paid workers.

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2008
Publications

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2008

A seven-page brief provides updated quantitative information on the scope, scale and evolution of the industry.

St. Paul Building Trades Council (St. Paul, Minn.)
Publications

St. Paul Building Trades Council (St. Paul, Minn.)

This document is a profile of a construction pre-apprenticeship program and provides information about the program’s history, training design and curriculum, funding, partners and industry engagement.

Project CRAFT-Avon Park (Avon Park, Fla.)
Publications

Project CRAFT-Avon Park (Avon Park, Fla.)

This document is a profile of a construction pre-apprenticeship program and provides information about the program’s history, training design and curriculum, funding, partners and industry engagement.

Pathways to Success: Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. (Portland, Ore.)
Publications

Pathways to Success: Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. (Portland, Ore.)

This document is a profile of a construction pre-apprenticeship program and provides information about the program’s history, training design and curriculum, funding, partners and industry engagement.

Newark/Essex Construction Careers Consortium PreApprenticeship Training Program (Newark, N.J.)
Publications

Newark/Essex Construction Careers Consortium PreApprenticeship Training Program (Newark, N.J.)

This document is a profile of a construction pre-apprenticeship program and provides information about the program’s history, training design and curriculum, funding, partners and industry engagement.

New York City District Council of Carpenters: Building Works (New York, N.Y.)
Publications

New York City District Council of Carpenters: Building Works (New York, N.Y.)

This document is a profile of a construction pre-apprenticeship program and provides information about the program’s history, training design and curriculum, funding, partners and industry engagement.

KentuckianaWorks (Louisville, Ky.)
Publications

KentuckianaWorks (Louisville, Ky.)

This document is a profile of a construction pre-apprenticeship program and provides information about the program’s history, training design and curriculum, funding, partners and industry engagement.

Jumpstart (Baltimore, Md.)
Publications

Jumpstart (Baltimore, Md.)

This document is a profile of a construction pre-apprenticeship program and provides information about the program’s history, training design and curriculum, funding, partners and industry engagement.

Hartford Jobs Funnel (Hartford, Conn.)
Publications

Hartford Jobs Funnel (Hartford, Conn.)

This document is a profile of a construction pre-apprenticeship program and provides information about the program’s history, training design and curriculum, funding, partners and industry engagement.

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