About Us

OUR VISION

Sicily Environment Fund (SEF) aims to protect and enhance biodiversity and ecosystems of Sicily. SEF was established in 2022 to support local environmental and conservation initiatives, helping communities becoming leaders in the transition towards long-term climate resilience. Our vision is to generate positive environmental change by:

 

Providing essential financial support to local partners for the implementation of grassroots projects.

Offering guidance and assistance to help communities maximize the effective use of resources.

Encouraging collaboration and create networking opportunities to ensure the greatest impact.

Designing and executing flagship programs to ensure the long-term sustainability of local initiatives.

 

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Our People

Our local team consists of the local Executive Director in charge of day-to-day management & coordination of work on the ground, a Communications Manager and a Project Manager.
The Steering Committee (SC) is composed of founding and actively involved donors. They support the team in overseeing long-term strategic objectives, analysing, approving grants and building the base of supporters.
The Advisory Board of local experts advises on grant selection, guaranteeing high scientific standards.

LOCAL TEAM

  • Gaia Agnello

    Executive Director

    gaia@sicilyenvironment.org

    Gaia Agnello is the Executive Director of the Sicily Environment Fund. Born and raised in Sicily, her passion for nature has led her to travel and live abroad for several years. She gained a BSc in Natural Sciences at the University of Palermo and a MSc in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation at Imperial College London. She has been involved in community-based projects and protected areas management while working for a grassroots NGO in Belize. She has conducted research on community engagement approaches and managed EU funded projects with the European Citizen Science Association in Berlin.
    She’s the Vice President of the national association Citizen Science Italia. Gaia returned to Sicily willing to contribute to nature conservation locally. Her interdisciplinary approach aims to develop conservation actions accounting for its social dimensions; she strongly believes that engaging with communities and understanding attitudes and perceptions is essential to inform strategies and effective actions.

  • Ambra Messina

    PR and Communications

    ambra@sicilyenvironment.org

    Ambra Messina is the communications manager of the Sicily Environment Fund. She oversees communication campaigns, events and relations with the media and supports the fund-raising and grants programme of the Fund. She is Sicilian and she has always been interested in nature and marine conservation. She has been Director of the Aeolian Islands Preservation Foundation, promoting and supervising projects to preserve the Aeolian archipelago.
    Currently, she is also a consultant for the Blue Marine Foundation, working as communications lead for the Italian projects.
    She has recently collaborated with the Italian National Research Council’s Institute of Atmosferic Pollution (CNR-IIA) where she was the communication manager and her research and projects focused on sustainability and ecological transition in italian small islands. Previously, she worked for the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Rome and for the Academy of Egypt as art and cultural programs coordinator (coordinating the opening of the Pavilion of Egypt at the Venice Art Biennale) and as web and social media editor.

  • Carlo Roccafiorita

    Project manager

    carlo@sicilyenvironment.org
    Carlo Roccafiorita is the project manager for the “Untangling the Sea” project at the Sicily Environment Fund. Based in Mazara del Vallo, Sicily, Carlo has extensive experience in urban regeneration, cultural management, and circular economy. He is the founder and director of Periferica, a community hub and cultural park that revitalizes abandoned spaces through participatory processes.
    Carlo also led Risacca, an award-winning circular economy project that transformed discarded fishing nets into sustainable design products, supporting marine ecosystem protection and local craftsmanship. He is the founder of Evocava, a project promoting the cultural heritage of Mazara del Vallo’s quarries. Over the years, he has successfully managed public and private funding, including collaborations with the Italian Ministry of Culture, to deliver impactful environmental and social initiatives.
    With expertise in project management and fundraising, Carlo has developed innovative formats for urban regeneration and community engagement, advancing his commitment to sustainability and marine conservation.

OUR STEERING COMMITTEE

OUR ADVISORY BOARD

Our approach

Our approach to environmental preservation in Sicily prioritizes the empowerment of locals and the co-designing of solutions based on community needs. By working in partnership with local stakeholders and providing support tailored to their priorities, mentoring, capacity building and networking opportunities, we effectively address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development in the region.