The work program of HESPI is research and analysis on development policy issues that are important in formulation of sustainable policy reforms. The research components is to assist with the formulation and implementation of sound economic and social policies and dissemination of high-quality research and policy analyses, and providing advisory services to facilitate broad-based economic growth and transformation.

HESPI promotes and stimulates dialogue on economic and social policies among government policy makers, private sector, and other agents of development through seminars, workshops, and conferences. Besides capacity building through interactions in workshops and seminars, HESPI contributes to upgrading of human skills in research and policy analysis in collaboration with existing training institutions.

The training and capacity building efforts assist in effective implementation of research findings, facilitate the setting of priorities for future research projects, and ensure that design efforts are demand driven. HESPI collaborates with local training institutions by providing resources persons for in-house institutional capacity building efforts.