economic development

In a Morning Consult op-ed, Anne Mosle discusses the historic opportunities the American Rescue Plan offers to cut child poverty in half and increase well-being for all children and families:  Break Cycles of Poverty and Grow Family Prosperity by Making Permanent Investments in Families

The Aspen Institute and the Microfinance Impact Collaborative recently announced the creation of the Entrepreneur Backed Assets (EBA) Fund, which will strengthen the capacity of community-based financial institutions to lend to small businesses in low-income communities and those owned by people of color.

Richenda Van Leeuwen joined the Aspen Institute as Executive Director of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) in September. She is an ambassador for equitable and inclusive economic development and brings a breadth of knowledge and experience to leading the work of ANDE—a global network that supports the success of small and growing businesses (SGBs) around the world. She spoke with the Institute’s President and CEO, Dan Porterfield, about the importance of ANDE’s work and the impact of investing in SGBs as a method of changemaking.

How can we help entrepreneurs of color on the path to recovery? What is the role of community development financial institutions (CDFIs) as lenders, and what can we do to overcome some of the obstacles these organizations face?

Small but mighty, rural-serving organizations work in concert with local people, firms and governments to
fill gaps and adapt to do whatever it is communities need done.

COVID-19 is devastating the small and growing businesses that power job creation and economic growth in the developing world.

Aisha Nyandoro, program organizer, speaks with Ebony Beals, a parent participant who helped design the cash assistance program. Their conversation was held during a convening in October held by Ascend, a program at the Aspen Institute that works to move children and the adults in their lives to educational success, economic security, and health and well-being.

Nearly 200 CEOs of world-leading corporations have now signed on to the notion that their reason for being includes not just shareholders, but how well their employees, host communities, the environment and supply chains benefit.