What Fondazione Sylva does

Fondazione Sylva is an Italian non-profit foundation established in 2021 in Tricase, Puglia, that operates a reforestation platform focused on restoring degraded Mediterranean lands using native tree and shrub species (80% trees, 20% shrubs). The foundation was created in direct response to the Xylella fastidiosa crisis that killed approximately 30 million olive trees across 750,000 hectares in Puglia over 15 years. Its core service follows a seven-step process — land identification, partnership agreements, forest study and species selection, land preparation, planting, five-year maintenance, and awareness raising — applied across sites in Puglia (Minervino di Lecce, Torre Guaceto, Specchia, Monteroni di Lecce, Uggiano La Chiesa, Arnesano, Nardò) and other Italian regions. To date, the organization reports over 10,000 trees planted, with site-level projects ranging from 842 to 11,000 plants on tracts between 2 and 9 hectares, and a forest nursery at Mediglia producing approximately 5,000 native plants annually.

The foundation's product surface spans reforestation project delivery, a tiered individual donation platform (€40–€400 per tree or custom amounts, with monthly recurring options via PayPal), corporate ESG and sustainability partnerships (forest adoption from 2,000 sqm with naming rights), the Italian 5x1000 tax designation program (Tax Code 90055270756), bank transfer donations, and educational/cultural awareness products including the "Amico Albero" school program and high-visibility art collaborations. Its revenue model is entirely donation-based across four streams: individual giving, 5x1000 tax allocations, corporate ESG partnerships, and institutional/NGO grants. Go-to-market is community-led (municipalities, universities, NGOs) with a direct-to-consumer donation funnel and a parallel enterprise sales motion targeting companies at venues such as Strategy Innovation Forum and Imaginarium. The organization serves four primary segments: individual donors, corporate/enterprise ESG buyers, schools and universities, and public administration, with marketing amplified through celebrity endorsements (Marisa Tomei, Negramaro, Beatrice Rana, Edward Burtynsky, Michelangelo Pistoletto) and cultural events.

Operationally, Fondazione Sylva runs with eight employees plus a board, technical scientific committee, and fundraising team. It is led by President Luigi de Vecchi and General Director Giulio Senni (with former director Novella Pellegrini noted in prior records), and has built institutional research partnerships with CREA, University of Salento, and LUISS Guido Carli for agroforestry and CO2 absorption studies. The foundation has been recognized with the Premio "L'Italia che ci onora 2023" and the ASVIS "Giusta Transizione" special mention in 2024, reflecting its positioning within Italy's sustainability and ESG ecosystem.

Name

Fondazione Sylva

Legal name

Fondazione Sylva

Website

https://fondazionesylva.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fondazione Sylva is an Italian non-profit foundation founded in 2021 that restores Xylella-devastated and degraded Mediterranean lands through native-species reforestation, serving individual donors, corporate ESG partners, municipalities, and universities across eight Italian regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Services

NAICS

Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (11321), Nursery and Tree Production (111421)

SIC

Forestry (800), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Reforestation & Afforestation Services (Planting, Site Prep, Regeneration) (IMAMAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Site Assessment, Planning & Permitting (Reforestation Plans) (AFAMACAC), Forest Nurseries, Seed Orchards & Genetic Improvement (AFAMAAAD), Invasive Species Control & Site Restoration (Pre/Post Planting) (AFAMACAN)

Keywords

• Reforestation services
• Environmental regeneration
• Native tree planting
• Biodiversity restoration
• Carbon offset programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tricase (LE)

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations - Tree Planting: Direct donations from individuals to plant trees, with tiered options from €40 (1 tree) to €400 (10 trees), or custom amounts. Monthly recurring donations available via PayPal.
2. 5x1000 Tax Designation: Italian tax mechanism allowing taxpayers to allocate 0.5% of IRPEF to Fondazione Sylva (Tax Code: 90055270756) at no additional cost.
3. Corporate Partnerships: B2B partnerships with companies for ESG/sustainability projects, including project sponsorship, forest adoption with naming rights, and team building activities in nature.
4. Bank Transfer Donations: Wire transfer donations to Fondazione Sylva's bank account (IBAN: IT92L0306909606100000178539, SWIFT: BCITITMM).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fondazione Sylva is an Italian non-profit foundation that plants native Mediterranean tree and shrub species (80% trees, 20% shrubs) to reforest degraded and Xylella fastidiosa-affected lands across Italy, primarily in Puglia. It operates a 7-step process covering land identification, species selection, planting, and 5-year maintenance, delivering reforestation services to individual donors, corporate ESG partners, municipalities, and universities.

Product overview

Fondazione Sylva is a non-profit reforestation foundation established in 2021 in response to the Xylella fastidiosa crisis that destroyed millions of olive trees in Puglia. The organization operates as a unified reforestation platform offering tree planting services, donation collection, corporate sustainability partnerships, and educational/cultural awareness programs. Its core products include reforestation services for degraded lands (with 5-year maintenance), an online donation platform for tree planting, corporate ESG projects, the 5x1000 tax designation program, school educational initiatives, and cultural projects using art and music to raise environmental awareness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Reforestation Services Forest planting and ecosystem regeneration services targeting degraded or Xylella-affected lands in Italy. The foundation identifies marginal crops or areas affected by phytopathologies, develops forestry projects, and provides five years of maintenance to ensure forest longevity.
• Donation Platform Online donation system allowing individuals to contribute to tree planting with tiered options (€40/€120/€200/€400) or custom amounts, payable via PayPal or credit card. Monthly recurring donations available via PayPal account.
• Corporate Sustainability Projects Customized reforestation and environmental regeneration projects for businesses to support ESG goals, including reforestation of degraded areas from 2,000 sqm, ecosystem regeneration, forest adoption with naming rights, VIP inauguration events, and team building activities in nature.
• 5x1000 Campaign Italian tax designation program allowing taxpayers to allocate 0.5% of their IRPEF tax to Fondazione Sylva by providing fiscal code 90055270756 at no additional cost.
• Educational and Awareness Projects Educational programs including 'Amico Albero' for schools, experiential laboratories, 'Storie Green' anthology publication, and awareness initiatives in reforested areas targeting primary schools, universities, and civic communities.
• Cultural Projects Artistic collaborations including photography projects (Xylella Studies with Edward Burtynsky, Olive Dittics with Paolo Pellegrin, ALIVE with Francesco Bosso), music events (Classiche Forme partnership with Beatrice Rana), and art installations (Terzo Paradiso with Michelangelo Pistoletto) to raise environmental awareness through art.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ trees planted across Italy
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Aurispa DFV LecceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sports partnership with volleyball team for environment and reforestation awareness.
• CesvicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Strategic partnership for 'Il Bosco che unisce' project at Torre Guaceto. The project, selected for Intesa Sanpaolo Formula Program, aims to plant over 6,000 trees and shrubs on 3 hectares, transforming agricultural land into a biodiversity oasis with educational pathways.
• LUISS Guido Carli UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024'Un albero per ogni matricola' project - reforestation of Xylella-affected olive grove with 2,360 trees for new students. Project completed Autumn 2024 with over 20 native Mediterranean species.
• Rai CinemacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for Salento reforestation. Rai Cinema purchased 160 trees (one per employee) to support reforestation efforts and promote environmental awareness through cinema.
• MetropolitreeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Urban reforestation collaboration in Palermo. First project at Piazza Bottego with volunteers including agronomists and environmental professionals.
• Classiche Forme / Beatrice RanacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Cultural partnership for 'La Romanza dell'Ulivo' concert at Fondazione Le Costantine. Beatrice Rana's chamber music festival organized special reforestation event with Nicola Piovani's premiere composition.
• CREA (Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Research partnership for Parco della Conoscenza agroforestry project at Monteroni di Lecce. Study of CO2 absorption capacity and climate adaptation of native species combined with agricultural crops.
• University of SalentocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Academic partnership for Parco della Conoscenza, dedicated to the Alumni community. Research on agroforestry and environmental education.
• Caritas AmbrosianacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Agroforestry project at Mediglia (Milan area). Forest nursery of 5,000 native plants per year at youth center. Combines environmental regeneration with social inclusion and professional training.
• NegramarocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Music4Nature campaign. Band supported reforestation for their 20th anniversary N20 Back Home tour, launching fundraising campaign 'Music4Nature' for Salento regeneration.
• Fondazione Le CostantinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLand partnership at Casamassella for reforestation of Xylella-affected olive groves. Cultural venue for concerts and events supporting reforestation awareness.
• Consorzio Torre GuacetocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReforestation at nature reserve - 9,000 trees planted on 5 hectares adjacent to protected area. Agreement for scientific, educational, and environmental activities.
• Michelangelo Pistoletto / Fondazione PistolettocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThird Paradise of Apulian Olives installation at Parco Maugeri, Bari. Artistic collaboration using Sylva plants and Xylella-affected olive wood, creating symbolic rebirth installation.
• Edward BurtynskycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerXylella Studies photography project documenting the ecological disaster. Powerful images of dead olive trees exhibited at museums worldwide including Museo del 900 Venice and THE POOL NYC Milan.
• XFarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForest nursery project. Collaboration to realize 5,000 native plant nursery at Caritas facility in Mediglia for propagation and environmental education.
• Anica AcademyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFilm academy supported Uggiano La Chiesa reforestation project as part of cultural commitment.
• Fondazione DioguardiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for Michelangelo Pistoletto's Third Paradise installation at Parco Maugeri, Bari.
• NegramarocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian rock band supporting Salento reforestation as their 'give back' to their home region affected by Xylella.
• FAI (Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Christmas workshops at Abbazia di Cerrate for environmental education.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Caritas Ambrosiana: Italian Catholic charity that partnered with Fondazione Sylva on the Mediglia forest nursery. Comparable as an institutional partner ecosystem participant enabling reforestation project delivery and beneficiary mobilization, rather than as a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• WWF Italia: Italian branch of a major international environmental NGO running reforestation, habitat protection, and biodiversity campaigns. Comparable as an institutional environmental actor engaging donors, corporates, and government on Mediterranean ecological restoration.
• Legambiente: Italy's largest environmental non-profit with broad environmental advocacy, conservation, and reforestation initiatives. Comparable as an Italian non-profit environmental actor addressing biodiversity and climate, though operating at much greater scale and across many issue areas.
• FAI (Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano): Italy's environmental heritage trust managing historic sites, natural areas, and environmental education programs. Comparable as an established Italian non-profit addressing landscape and biodiversity preservation, with similar cultural/educational programming overlap.

Direct peers

• Treedom: Italian-founded platform that lets individuals and companies fund tree planting with remote-tracking of each tree, sold via B2B2C and direct-to-consumer channels. Closely comparable in mission (small-medium scale reforestation, B2B ESG + individual giving) and Italian/Mediterranean origin.
• Plant-for-the-Planet: Youth-led global reforestation organization with per-tree donation model and educational programs. Comparable in donation structure, awareness/education focus, and ability to attract corporate and celebrity support.
• One Tree Planted: Non-profit reforestation organization running donation-driven tree planting across global geographies, with corporate partnership packages and per-tree pricing model. Direct analogue in operating model and target donor/customer segments.
• 8 Billion Trees: Charity running donation-funded reforestation projects, offering per-tree and corporate partnership packages globally. Comparable in donation-driven tree planting economics and corporate ESG positioning.

Emerging players

• Rete Clima: Italian non-profit coordinating corporate-sponsored climate and reforestation projects in Italy. Comparable in the niche of Italian corporate-ESG-driven reforestation project delivery.
• Freedom (WOW Nature): Italian reforestation-focused organization created by the Will Media group, running per-tree donation campaigns and corporate ESG projects. Comparable as a smaller, Italy-focused tree planting organization competing for similar donor and corporate ESG budgets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fondazionesylva9769
• Facebookfacebook.com/fondazione.sylva
• Instagraminstagram.com/fondazione_sylva
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondazione-sylva

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fondazione Sylva