Since 1990 Edison (formerly Montedison) has developed relations stronger and stronger with the local industrial systems and districts and with the small/medium companies (SMEs) located in Italy. The deep analysis, through the publications of a series of books, of the local industrial systems and of SMEs carried out by Edison's Economic Department, has permitted the development of a cultural activity and a research promotion in the last years from which company workers and scholars have benefited from.

The industrial districts and SMEs increasing strategic importance and the relation between the company workers and scholars have promoted since 1999 the origin of Fondazione Edison (called till May 2002 Fondazione Montedison, Comunità e Innovazione). In this way the dialogue not only with the scholars world on this topic but also with the industrial districts and SMEs has become stable, deep and wide.

The Foundation's first activities began in 2000 with the publication of a series of books and in March 2000 with the conference "Deregulation and Privatisation of Local Public Utilities" (see the other web site articles to know the Foundation's activities).