NISPED was founded in 1998 with a goal to promote peace and development. Its focus is on civil society: not-for-profit, people-centered, non-governmental groups and organizations concerned with conflict-resolution and the advancement of sustainable human development. NISPED focuses on fundamental processes of social and economic transformation. These processes include transition from conflict to conflict resolution; from dictatorship to democracy; from poverty and dependence to independence and sustainable human development. It provides expertise and training through projects and courses internationally, in the region and inside Israel. NISPED makes an impact through its four divisions: The International Center for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises; Peace and Progress, the Arab-Jewish Center for Equality, Empowerment and Cooperation; and the International Center for Cooperative Studies.