The MEDES Foundation bases its mission on the premise that the sustainable economic and social development of a region is increasingly determined by its ability to activate synergistic paths that enhance its potential in terms of human, social and environmental capital. Development is therefore to be understood as the outcome of a process of shared social construction; the result of the organizational strategies of local actors who are open to initiate collective learning paths. With this in mind, the MEDES Foundation fosters connections between universities and research centers and local production and institutional systems. These connections facilitate technological and organizational improvement and capacity building capacity in companies and institutions and the transfer and implementation of research results.