ISED is a knowledge institution that considers entrepreneurship as the trigger of socio-economic development. Having the motto of “sustainable development through enterprise”, its activity spectrum includes, research, creation and sharing of knowledge, development communication, business development services, and advisory services.

‘Right to livelihood is a basic to all human beings. For this, people choose either wage employment or self-employment. The United Nations, under its 'Sustainable Development’ agenda, emphasises that the rights and protection required to support self-employment, start businesses, and become a micro- entrepreneur (as derived from existing rights, including political, civil, economic and social ones) as essential for this. Here, the need for an effective legal system, local government institutions, and services that are more open, accessible, accountable and legitimacy, has to be emphasised. The mission of ISED is to advance the theory and practice of ‘sustainable development’ among enterprises and their various stakeholders: policy makers, financial institutions, promotional agencies, international partners, media, civil society and the community at large.

Publications at the ISED signify as a powerful tool for disseminating the Institute’s knowledge resources among the wider community. Overseen by the ISED Small Enterprise Observatory, Faculty, members of the Project Staff, and Interns at the Institute of Small Enterprises and Development regularly publish books, Discussion Papers and Policy Briefs, and articles in a wide variety of journals and periodicals. The institute itself edits the Observatory Mirror, India MSME Report, the International SME Day icon, and compiles all other occasional publications. Publications, on-line and off-line, are available through the Institute’s Portal, www isedonline.org