CDP Foundation turns five years old and presents the 2026-2028 Plan. Over 40 million euros and 200 projects: from research on rare diseases to support for minors with serious pathologies. Here is the CDP Foundation’s action on the ground for the most vulnerable.
CDP Foundationborn in 2020 on the initiative of Cassa Depositi e Prestitioperates in contexts of greater social and territorial fragility, in continuity and complementarity with the historical commitment of CDP Group for the development of the country. Its activity focuses on three strategic areas – education and social inclusion, scientific research, art and culture – with particular attention to Noon. Since its inception it has financed over 200 projects throughout the national territory, committing over 40 million euros and adopting impactful philanthropy models aimed at generating concrete and lasting results.
From this mission, initiatives take shape that share the objective of creating opportunities in the territories and communities that face the most complex challenges. Among these, the announcement Cultural Ecosystemsnow in its third edition, has contributed to the valorisation of little-known public goods and places of culture, returning them to communities as spaces for aggregation, creativity and local development.
A new model of impactful philanthropy between social innovation and inclusion
The same approach inspired the launch of Social Innovation Awardwhich in 2025 supported seven projects capable of responding to emerging needs through innovative solutions: from welfare for the elderly to work inclusion in prisons, up to the use of artificial intelligence to support migrants and refugees. This experience is accompanied by the Social Outcome Contract started at Catanzarothe first in Italy with the direct involvement of a public administration. The project supports a social farm dedicated to people with disabilities and tests a model that links funding to the achievement of measurable social results. Attention to inclusion is also expressed through initiatives dedicated to female empowerment and the development of autonomy paths for women victims of violence. The commitment to women, in particular, is increasingly relevant to CDP Foundationalso supported by a specific will of the President Giovanni Gorno Tempiniwhich wanted to consolidate this line of intervention.
Alongside these initiatives, the Foundation promotes programs aimed at new generations, the growth of skills and the strengthening of human capital. The project is an example of this Pretty! Make room for usdeveloped in the Roman neighborhood of Tor Bella Monaca to combat school dropout and educational inequalities through an integrated approach that combines regeneration of spaces, training of teaching staff and inclusion through sport. Likewise, the Dynamo City Camp Of Naples has introduced in the area a continuous offer of free recreational therapy for minors with disabilities or serious and chronic pathologies, while supporting their families. The Foundation’s commitment also extends to strengthening the Italian scientific research system. Among the most recent projects is support for implementation at the VIMM of Padua of a biobank of induced pluripotent stem cells, an infrastructure intended to contribute to the development of precision medicine and accelerate research on numerous pathologies, improving diagnosis and personalization of therapies over time.
Towards the 2026-2028 Strategic Plan to guide public policies
Five years after its establishment, CDP Foundation has progressively evolved its intervention model, moving from an approach mainly oriented towards supporting initiatives promoted by other subjects towards a growing ability to conceive, select and accompany projects directly consistent with its strategic priorities. A path that has allowed us to attract a growing number of co-financing from third parties, broadening the scope of the interventions and strengthening their sustainability over time.
The experience gained over these years of activity today represents the basis of Strategic Plan 2026-2028which aims to further consolidate the Foundation’s role as an experimental body alongside the Third Sector and local actors, supporting projects capable of generating replicable practices and contributing to public policies over time.
The scientific leadership of Francesca Sofia and the recognition of the Bellisario Prize
Leading this path is Francesca Sofiawho brings solid training as a molecular biologist specializing in neuroscience, gained over years of activity in the world of scientific research and innovation. An experience that characterized his professional career: in Telethon Foundation he led investments in research for the development of new therapies for rare genetic diseases, while at an international level he still holds the presidency ofInternational Bureau for Epilepsya non-governmental organization active in 110 countries for the protection of people with epilepsy and recognized by UN And WHO.
Francesca SofiaGeneral Manager of CDP Foundation since November 2022, she is among the protagonists of this edition of Marisa Bellisario Award: an award that rewards his professional career, but also tells of the commitment and values of the non-profit organisation CDP Group.
In the light of this experience we can read the meaning of Bellisario Award awarded to the General Director of CDP Foundation: a recognition that valorises a professional path that has been able to transform knowledge into a tool for the protection of the most vulnerable communities, anticipating the same attention to social dimensions and territories that is today at the center of the mission of the CDP Foundation.
