Six strategic areas, with a focus on water education, to generate social and cultural value

 

Fondazione Acea was established with the primary mission of safeguarding and enhancing the historical, industrial and cultural heritage of the company, founded in Rome in 1909 by Mayor Ernesto Nathan and the Councillor for Technological Services, economist Giovanni Montemartini, with the aim of supporting the transformation of the capital.

In addition to enhancing the company’s historical heritage – recently showcased in the “Heritage” exhibition, which received significant recognition and was shortlisted for the 2025-2026 Premio Cultura+Impresa - and developing the company’s historical archive, the Foundation aims to create social and cultural value in Rome and in the other cities where Acea operates by promoting initiatives dedicated to young people, sport, corporate volunteering, social solidarity, culture, research and education.

The activities of Fondazione Acea will be structured around six strategic areas: art and culture, environment, sport and health, education, with particular attention to water-related issues, social inclusion and urban regeneration. These are distinct yet deeply interconnected fields, designed to foster new forms of participation and collective awareness. At the heart of this vision lies a simple and compelling idea: educating for the future means learning to imagine it. In this context, art becomes a key tool for knowledge, capable of bringing together different generations and languages and transforming sustainability into a tangible and shared experience.

Fondazione Acea, a Third Sector entity headquartered in Piazzale Ostiense and strongly supported by Acea President Barbara Marinali and Chief Executive Officer Fabrizio Palermo, is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Ignazio Vacca, Chief Institutional Affairs & B.D. Officer of Acea, and composed of Board Members Giuseppe Del Villano, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, and Sabrina Fiorino, Head of Cultural Initiatives at Acea. Lawyer Carlo Geronimo Cardia has been appointed as the supervisory body, also performing statutory audit functions for the Foundation.

“Fondazione Acea was established as an open laboratory connecting creativity, art and corporate social responsibility. It is an institution where art serves as a bridge between tradition and innovation. It is also a physical space where it will be possible to discover how Acea has contributed to the economic, social and civic growth of the country, telling its story through objects, documents and works that enhance its industrial and cultural heritage,” said Fabrizio Palermo, Chief Executive Officer of Acea.

Education on the value of water lies at the heart of the project: understanding the importance of this resource means recognising the balance between environment, cities and communities, thereby educating more aware future generations.