NISPED was founded in 1998 and is a registered non-profit association that works in association with the Sapir Academic College. Certificates of the college are awarded to participants who successfully complete relevant programs of study.

NISPED's focus is on civil society: the voluntary, people-centered, non-governmental groups and organizations concerned with conflict-resolution and the advancement of sustainable human development.

NISPED focuses on societies undergoing transformation from conflict to conflict resolution; from absence of political and human rights to democracy; from poverty and dependence to sustainable human development; from societies that discriminate against minorities to societies that extend full social, economic and civil rights to all.

To these ends, NISPED conducts international, regional and local activities in the following areas:

Training
We conduct courses, seminars and workshops for leaders, activists and trainers drawn from civil society and governmental bodies.

Projects
We engage in the initiation, planning, guidance, implementation and evaluation of transformative projects in Israel, in the Middle East, and around the globe.

Consultancy
We offer consultancy services to public and private institutions in Israel and abroad. We also facilitate networking between groups with similar interests and agendas.

NISPED undertakes work within Israel, in the Middle East and internationally through its 3 major divisions: