The Centre for Enterprise Development co-ordinates various activities focused on enterprise creation and entrepreneurship. The supply of enterprises and entrepreneurship is central to 'sustainable development' throughout the world. A prerequisite in this regard, is an entrepreneurial approach in the development process. Action for enterprise development should be focused on releasing the entrepreneurial potential of individuals and communities, such that these, in turn, get translated into income-earning opportunities. Hence, the talk about reducing poverty and enhancing quality of life of the people should be preceded by creation of an entrepreneurial approach across society. This, in turn, gets translated into incomes and employment. Enterprises are not simply the concern of entrepreneurs and the government. The whole community should participate in enriching the right values, attitudes and capabilities. On the other hand, industry should respond positively to the concerns and urges of the society. Hence, researching, kindling the entrepreneurial spirit through interventions, and providing relevant knowledge base, are central to the process of enterprise creation in any economy. This Centre, therefore, focuses on knowledge creation, dissemination and communication.

'Sustainable development' means not only economic development of a sustainable nature, but also translating the fruits of development into enhanced quality of life. Therefore, the focus on social development is central in any 'sustainable development' approach. Centre for Social Development seeks to translate this vision into practice through studies, HRD interventions and other activities related to social development. Areas such as health, education, and social capital, are crucial in this regard. This Centre also deals with the social dimensions of enterprise development. Enterprise as a subject cuts across the traditional economic sectors, and hence, one can decipher an entrepreneurial approach even in the so-called 'social sectors'. Labour market, for instance, is a vital area which links enterprise and education, which often has been discussed under the rubric, 'services'. The Institute, since inception, has undertaken several studies on various social sectors, and, in some cases, have contributed to policy making in the country.

In much of the development discourses, the role of public policy has not been adequately addressed. Irrespective of the concerns and good intentions of programmes and interventions, it is public policy which shapes the society into what it is. On the other hand, policy in itself, is a reflection of the society we live in. The importance of a focused attention on public policy lies in the fact that, it is a vital factor which shapes markets and human behaviour. Seen from this angle, the studies at this Centre are anchored on two aspects: (a) policy architecture; and (b) the impact of policies.

The Institute realizes the fact that a "responsible business" approach is crucial for making 'enterprise' a sustainable activity which shapes the history of countries and peoples. While businesses need to be socially responsible in terms of internationally accepted principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR), it is also important that such social responsibility should encourage emergence of new businesses at the "bottom of the pyramid ". The primary mission and major task of the Centre is to reinterpret the 'responsible business 'agenda in the context of local economic development and nurturing of entrepreneurial capabilities at the local level.

The logic of globalization, on the one hand, and local economic development, on the other, are often distinct. The relationship between the two need concrete thinking and action. The 'new economy' is a reality. How to make it useful to the interests of the masses, is a challenge. This requires a new policy approach, quite different from the traditional "balanced regional development" approach.

Access to finance is a critical factor which influences the distributive dimension of economic growth. However, this dimension is conditioned by both subjective and objective factors. While 'financial inclusion' is a laudable objective of public policy in many countries, the constraints to this are often examined at the peripheral level. While, on the one hand, there is inadequacy of knowledge and practice, which limits peoples integration with the financial system, the mainstreaming of finance with the entrepreneurial power of the community does not happen spontaneously. This demands interventions, including research, financial education, and initiatives for strengthening synergies between finance, and economic activities. This Centre is on a continuous search for such areas of intervention.

Economics is a hard-core discipline relevant to the programme areas of the Institute. Besides, it also has an Economics orientation of its programme and personnel. ISED has a special interest in grooming young professionals in the area of the Economics discipline. One of the methods is the promotion of research in this discipline both for young scholars and mid-career enthusiasts. The Institute encourages scholars to pursue their Ph.D. and M.Phil research in Economics. Such opportunities relate to any area in the Economics discipline; however, special focus is given on the key mandate areas of the Institute. Enquiries should be addressed to the Director, ISED. (email: director@isedonline.org).

In India, both the Union Government and the States  design and implement various development programmes,  now, a time has come, wherein, the State governments have to do a lot of home work regarding  design and implementation of such programmes,  in a national canvas of 'co operative federalism'. The situation today is one of competition among the States, rather than falling in line with pre determined thumb rules. Therefore, branding the States has become all the more important. 

'Enterprise Development Audit' (REDA) as a programme of the Institute of Small Enterprise and Development (ISED), is meant to support governments by analyzing the track record of their enterprise development activities, and by offering innovative solutions. The term 'government' specially means, State, District Administration and Local governments, such as municipalities and panchayaths. 

This innovative programme, to the particular context of India, was designed by the Institute of Small Enterprise and Development. It has been implemented by the ISED Small Enterprise Observatory, the specialized knowledge platform at the Institute, jointly with the ISED Centre for Monitoring Enterprise Development in the States (ISED - CMEDS)
The Audit team includes, top level expertise available with the Institute, and outside,  including economists, management professionals, public policy experts, finance professionals and technocrats.