To strengthen the marginalized plantation, rural communities and groups towards sustainable social changes based on democracy, equity, social justice, freedom and peace while fostering rural community empowerment for a better future.

To mainstream the excluded communities and groups with dignity and equal rights through initiatives that focus on good governance, gender and politics, peace and harmony, health and education, environmental justice, lobby and advocacy

Institute of Social Development was formed in 1991 with the mission of giving voice to the voiceless communities. This initiative was founded by a group of activists who engages in the field of human right, labor, gender, and advocacy. The group initiated a dialogue on measuring the impact of development activities implemented by various sectors including government and NGOs in the plantation sector since 1948. The findings indicated that there have been no major qualitative changes taking place in the lives of the plantation worker community.

The group concluded that unless the marginalized communities are not empowered to demand and defend their human rights, the outsiders cannot influence them for sustainable change. The Institute of Social Development has executed a wide range of awareness programmes to empower the marginalized plantation community since its inception.”