About Us
OUR VISION
The Tuscany Environment Foundation APS (TEF) will aim to protect and enhance the natural beauty, biodiversity and eco-systems of the much loved Tuscan environment for the benefit of all by:
Raising funds from people and businesses with strong connections to Tuscany, to support the best local organisations working to sustain the diverse natural assets of the region.
Supporting projects which bring both economic and social renewal to local communities, and which can be scaled up and replicated across the territory.
Building a strong network of people across Tuscany, united in boosting the work of local environmental champions.
Our people
Our local team consists of the Executive Director in charge of day-to-day management & coordination of work on the ground, assisted by Advisory Board and Steering Committee.
A Steering Committee (SC), composed of founding and actively involved donors, directs the strategy. They analyse and approve grants and use their personal networks to broaden the base of supporters. SC members have a wide array of backgrounds and interests, but all share a passion for protecting and restoring the outstanding natural beauty of Tuscany.
An Advisory Board of Experts advises on grant selection, guaranteeing high scientific standards.
LOCAL TEAM
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Laura Lo Presti
Executive Director
Laura Lo Presti is the Executive Director of TEF. She was born and raised in the Florentine countryside, surrounded by the beauty of Tuscany. Project coordinator of national and European projects with issues concerning the circular economy, citizens’ rights, waste and resource management. Environmental consultant for public and third sector bodies and for schools, in 2018 she is co-founder of the start up “Plastic Free Certification” which leads to increase her work on awareness and the dissemination of best ecological practices. Coordinator and campaigner of the Zero Waste movement since 2019, Councilor of “Volunteer Service Center Tuscany” , environmental blogger, eco-event organizer, volunteering at local environmental associations that deal with natural agriculture, organic food, ecological education.
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Simone Tani
Business Development Director
Simone Tani is a business development manager as well as senior advisor for institutional affairs. He graduated in Economics at the University of Florence and received his PhD in Management of Innovation at the Scuola Superiore S. Anna of Pisa. He then joined General Electric as manager for organizational development and human resources. In 2000 he was appointed deputy mayor for economic development and strategic planning of the City of Florence. He served as a civil servant in different managerial roles in the Province of Florence, the City of Florence, Milan and as economic advisor of the Prime Minister at Palazzo Chigi. He is founder of two startups. He is a senior fellow of the LUISS School of Government and teaches leadership and organizational behavior in different national and international academic institutions. He has supported the growth of different private organizations and foundations.
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How we work
Channelling funds from businesses & philanthropists to grassroots nature regeneration projects:
Seeking to build local coalitions that catalyse systemic change.
Tapping into our network of experts to ensure we support the projects offering the largest returns for nature.
Providing projects with vital funds to scale their impact.
Attracting new sources of environmental funding by showcasing what can be achieved by nature regeneration.
Helping donors achieve net zero emissions by coupling their carbon reductions with our nature regeneration projects.
Filling a gap by being agile, unbureaucratic, and ‘getting stuff done’.
Pooling funds and creating leverage for each donor to share in the successes generated by total TEF funds raised.