Beauty also means goodness: the values of Fimelato ETS Foundation

Beauty has always been associated with goodness.
Since antiquity, philosophers and writers have explored the profound link between aesthetics and virtue: from Plato to Goethe, the beautiful soul is one that is distinguished by inner harmony, capable of instinctively and naturally orienting itself toward the good. Later, with Hegel, this idea becomes more complex, revealing a subjectivity that, while ideally directed toward the beautiful and the good, is often in conflict with reality, in a tension toward improvement.

Beauty, then, is not only a matter of form, but also of moral and social substance, capable of prompting profound change in the individual and the community. It is precisely on this conception of beauty as an engine of positive transformation that the mission of Fondazione Fimelato ETS, a new third sector entity that promotes projects that combine culture, art and solidarity, is based. With an approach that focuses on values such as kindness, elegance and solidarity, the Foundation aims to build a more just and inclusive community, where beauty is not only aesthetic, but becomes an act of social and human responsibility.

Personal and collective growth: the Foundation's next initiatives
The Foundation's ambition is to create initiatives that generate personal and collective growth through cultural and artistic activities that stimulate imagination and social engagement. Beauty, in its many forms-from art to nature, from design to culture-is understood as a means of uplifting the human spirit, inspiring creativity, and strengthening bonds between people. It is an idea of beauty that does not stop at appearance, but awakens civic consciousness, promoting solidarity and inclusion.
Solidarity, in fact, is the common thread running through all the initiatives promoted by the Foundation, a concrete commitment to improving the living conditions of those in difficult situations and fostering positive change. The Foundation firmly believes that kindness, when applied with perseverance and determination, has the power to build bridges between people, overcoming divisions and creating a dialogue based on mutual respect. 

The Foundation's commitment goes beyond mere cultural promotion: with the support of a high-profile scientific committee, we aim to identify concrete actions capable of profoundly affecting the community, making kindness a cardinal principle of our actions. This ambitious project aims to help build a more just reality, starting with activities of education, self-improvement and confrontation.

For 2025, the Foundation already has many initiatives planned, including the new edition of the “Premio Gentilezza Italiana” which has just reopened registration for new candidates. As of January 15, in fact, it is possible to apply for 2025. The Award celebrates initiatives with a concrete impact on issues such as solidarity, inclusion, sustainability and a culture of peace. Nominees are invited to demonstrate how their actions have positively impacted their target communities. The award categories include Kind Person, for those who have distinguished themselves through everyday kindness; Kind Enterprise, which recognizes companies that promote kindness and respect toward employees and communities; Social Innovation, for those companies that have developed innovative solutions to social or environmental problems; and Solidarity Association, which recognizes the work of organizations that promote solidarity and volunteer activities.

But that's not all, it will also kick off moments of encounter such as the “Inspiring Talks With?”, a series of meetings to be held in major Italian cities, on the themes of leadership, communication and emotion management, always explored through the lens of kindness, beauty and elegance. An opportunity to explore how these values can positively influence the world of work and society in general.

From Club to Foundation, an even stronger community
Created as an evolution, encompassing and enriching the journey of the Gentle Men's Club, the Foundation stands as a meeting point for all those who believe in a more supportive world, where positive values can inspire real change. At a time when aggressive confrontation and divisions seem to prevail, Fimelato ETS Foundation becomes a collector of positive energies and resources for beneficial projects that can make a difference.