The paper presents the activities recently promoted by the Italian Committee on Large Dams, through the appointment of a Working Group whose aim is to analyze the social and environmental impact management of Italian large dams. In the frame of the assigned Terms of Reference, a model to evaluate the quality and the pro-activity of dam owners’policies – concerning environmental management and local development – has been elaborated. Its application is at present in progress. In parallel, a complementary model to assess the point of view of the other stakeholders (i.e. local authorities, associations, community based organizations, the public at large) is under development. The objective is to assess the stakeholders’ perception of the role of dams and of the quality and pro-activity of dam owners’ policies. Both models are based on questionnaires, addressed respectively to dam owners and other stakeholders, as above said. The results of the questionnaires will be possibly included into a national database. The analysis of data obtained with both models should provide a first sketch about the communication and the interaction between dam owners and stakeholders. The main aim of the initiative is indeed to facilitate the dialogue between two worlds that have different and often conflictual interests. Part of this activity is supported by the Research Fund for the Italian Electrical System, under the Contract Agreement between ERSE and the Italian Ministry of Economic Development.