Perugia is the capital city of the region of Umbria. The city, located in the heart of Italy, has a long tradition as city of culture. The wide variety of cultural events that ranges from the Umbria Jazz Festival to the International Journalism Festival, together with two Universities: the University of Perugia founded in the XIII century and the University for Foreigner, make this region a lively and promising context to experiment with new forms of dialogue between science and society.

During the last ten years the science communication movement has gained an increasing role as motor for the cultural life of the city and the region. An increasing number of events and institutions such as science festivals and fairs, science museums both with collections and interactive exhibits and temporary exhibitions, flourished all over Umbria engaging citizens in different ways and attracting the interest of local decision makers and stakeholders. All these actors understood the need to conceive science and technology as a pivotal tool for the future development of the community. Based on this analysis a network of public and private actors is now working to reach two main goals: - Structure a collaboration based on creativity between the scientific culture and other fields of culture in the region. This collaboration will promote a creative industry linked with technology and innovation. - Develop a regional centre that will conceive and produce innovative tools to foster citizens participation in the process of innovation. The Psiquadro, who organises the Perugia Science Fest, together with the Municipality of Perugia and the Fondazione Post (Perugia Workshops for Science and Technology), the Province of Perugia, the Region Umbria and the University of Perugia are the core of this network who has been working to structure the conceptual and operational team who will implement the two main goals described.