The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program We advance strategies, policies, and ideas to help people thrive in a changing economy.

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program (EOP) 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 ex

panding 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. EOP encompasses efforts engaging different approaches toward expanding opportunity: the Business Ownership Initiative, the Future of Work Initiative, Good Companies/Good Jobs, UpSkill America, and the Workforce Strategies Initiative. In addition, across these approaches EOP hosts the Economic Opportunity Fellows Network and the Opportunity in America event series. An Advisory Council offers insights, strategic counsel, and guidance in support of our work.

📅 For decades, economic development in the US South has been framed around attracting business through low labor costs, ...
02/17/2026

📅 For decades, economic development in the US South has been framed around attracting business through low labor costs, limited worker protections, and deregulation. While this model promised prosperity, many workers and communities have been left behind — with poverty rates in some regions far exceeding the national average.

But narratives are not fixed. They can be challenged, reshaped, and replaced. On February 19, from 2:30 - 3:45 p.m. ET, joinThe Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program for Building New Narratives on Work and Opportunity in the US South. This virtual conversation brings together members of the Aspen Institute’s Fellowship who are advancing new visions of economic success — centered on worker dignity, quality jobs, and community wealth-building.
🔗 Learn more and register:

“Building New Narratives on Work and Opportunity in the US South," is the first of four conversations with members of the Aspen Institute’s Job Quality Fellowship, EOP.

Ten years ago, many of the ideas shaping today’s future-of-work landscape still felt hypothetical. Self-driving cars, AI...
12/17/2025

Ten years ago, many of the ideas shaping today’s future-of-work landscape still felt hypothetical. Self-driving cars, AI-powered tools, and on-demand services were emerging concepts — not everyday experiences. Today, these innovations influence how industries operate and how people navigate opportunity, stability, and time.

Join the Aspen Institute, TODAY, December 17, 2–3:15 p.m. ET, for “Back to the Future of Work: Revisiting the Past and Shaping the Future,” a virtual conversation marking the culmination of our yearlong retrospective series. Together with Future of Work Fellows and expert contributors, we’ll revisit a decade of insights and examine what it will take to build a future of work that is equitable, resilient, and responsive to workers’ needs.
🔗 RSVP here:

In 2024, the Aspen Institute's Future of Work Initiative launched an editorial series examining the lessons learned from a decade of "future of work" discourse, with contributions from leaders in academia, business, labor, policy, and philanthropy.

The registration deadline is fast approaching. Register now!
12/11/2025

The registration deadline is fast approaching. Register now!

LAST CHANCE: Registration for the WIN Challenge closes TODAY at 5pm ET! Registering before the deadline is the only way to be able to submit an application in January. It only takes about 5 minutes.

We want to hear your innovative solutions that will shape the future workplace. Don’t miss the opportunity to share them!

Register now at winchallenge.org.

Join us in Austin for the 2026 Purpose Trust Ownership Conference!🗓 February 26-27, 2026📍The LINE Hotel, Austin, Texas🎟️...
12/08/2025

Join us in Austin for the 2026 Purpose Trust Ownership Conference!

🗓 February 26-27, 2026
📍The LINE Hotel, Austin, Texas
🎟️ Register now: https://trustownership.org/

This two-day convening will bring together leaders of purpose trust and employee ownership trust (EOT) companies, along with the professionals, investors, funders, policymakers, and academics who support them, to focus on real-world applications and community-building across sectors.

Across the US, lawmakers are weakening child labor protections, allowing children as young as 13 to work longer hours an...
10/30/2025

Across the US, lawmakers are weakening child labor protections, allowing children as young as 13 to work longer hours and in hazardous roles.

Register now to join the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program on Nov 19 (2 - 3:30 p.m. ET) for Backsliding on Child Protections: The Return of Child Labor in the US.
Hear from policy experts and advocates as we explore:
Why these rollbacks are happening
What they mean for families and communities
How we can protect young workers
Register here: as.pn/childlabor

November 19

Latinos and the Future of the American Dream — Latinos are driving the growth and vitality of the US economy. By 2060, t...
10/23/2025

Latinos and the Future of the American Dream — Latinos are driving the growth and vitality of the US economy. By 2060, they are projected to make up nearly 30% of the population, playing a pivotal role in shaping our shared future.

At our 2018 event, “Drivers of Opportunity: How Will Latinos Shape the Future of the American Dream?,” hosted in partnership with the Institute’s Latinos & Society Program, leaders shared insights on improving , expanding capital access, and strengthening entrepreneurship for Latino communities.
Learn more: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/future-american-dream-latino/

By 2060, Latinos will make up 30 percent of the US population. How can we help them better connect to the economy?

10/23/2025

Learn more about the Aspen WIN Challenge!

10/23/2025
10/22/2025

We are excited to announce that our Executive Director, Alex Weld, has been named a Fellow by The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program!

This special cohort brings together leaders in the South who are working to improve by tackling challenges such as low wages, insufficient benefits, unstable schedules, and unsafe conditions. Over the next year, Fellows will strengthen their leadership, expand networks, and collaborate to build solutions that redesign jobs and create an economy that works for all.

Learn more about the Fellowship and the new class here: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/job-quality-fellowship/class-of-2025-26/

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