Francesco Mazzagatti's philanthropic efforts include initiatives through the SRM Foundation‚ a UK-based charity the CEO of Viaro Energy started in late 2023‚ and initiatives he spearheads or encourages at Viaro Energy and its main subsidiary, RockRose Energy‚ including employee volunteer programs․
The foundation's mission is to accelerate the transition to a clean-energy economy. Foundation goals include environmental protection and restoration‚ public education about renewable energy and environment protection‚ scientific research, and championing a just transition that supports affected workers and communities and shares the benefits equitably.
Mazzagatti is the CEO. Grantmaking by the foundation is overseen by a board of six trustees‚ two of whom sit on the Viaro group board of directors and four of whom are independent trustees․
The foundation takes a data-driven approach and plans to design its own projects with partners over the medium term.
One of the foundation's partnerships has been with Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen․ Partnership activities include outreach to underrepresented student populations‚ research efforts‚ and biodiversity and net-zero projects․
One of the collaboration’s initial environmental initiatives has been restoring Waterside Farm‚ a 55‑acre site opposite RGU’s riverside campus. The foundation gave £100‚000 to help fund the project. The restoration is underway, and the work includes wetland restoration using reedbeds and other techniques‚ control of invasive species such as Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed‚ and other measures to enhance wildlife habitats․
The site provides other benefits․ Students from RGU can engage in ecological monitoring and other fieldwork at the site․ Volunteer events bring together students‚ staff‚ and members of the local community․
The foundation's mission is to accelerate the transition to a clean-energy economy. Foundation goals include environmental protection and restoration‚ public education about renewable energy and environment protection‚ scientific research, and championing a just transition that supports affected workers and communities and shares the benefits equitably.
Mazzagatti is the CEO. Grantmaking by the foundation is overseen by a board of six trustees‚ two of whom sit on the Viaro group board of directors and four of whom are independent trustees․
The foundation takes a data-driven approach and plans to design its own projects with partners over the medium term.
One of the foundation's partnerships has been with Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen․ Partnership activities include outreach to underrepresented student populations‚ research efforts‚ and biodiversity and net-zero projects․
One of the collaboration’s initial environmental initiatives has been restoring Waterside Farm‚ a 55‑acre site opposite RGU’s riverside campus. The foundation gave £100‚000 to help fund the project. The restoration is underway, and the work includes wetland restoration using reedbeds and other techniques‚ control of invasive species such as Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed‚ and other measures to enhance wildlife habitats․
The site provides other benefits․ Students from RGU can engage in ecological monitoring and other fieldwork at the site․ Volunteer events bring together students‚ staff‚ and members of the local community․
The foundation's mission is to accelerate the transition to a clean-energy economy. Foundation goals include environmental protection and restoration‚ public education about renewable energy and environment protection‚ scientific research, and championing a just transition that supports affected workers and communities and shares the benefits equitably.
Mazzagatti is the CEO. Grantmaking by the foundation is overseen by a board of six trustees‚ two of whom sit on the Viaro group board of directors and four of whom are independent trustees․
The foundation takes a data-driven approach and plans to design its own projects with partners over the medium term.
One of the foundation's partnerships has been with Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen․ Partnership activities include outreach to underrepresented student populations‚ research efforts‚ and biodiversity and net-zero projects․
One of the collaboration’s initial environmental initiatives has been restoring Waterside Farm‚ a 55‑acre site opposite RGU’s riverside campus. The foundation gave £100‚000 to help fund the project. The restoration is underway, and the work includes wetland restoration using reedbeds and other techniques‚ control of invasive species such as Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed‚ and other measures to enhance wildlife habitats․
The site provides other benefits․ Students from RGU can engage in ecological monitoring and other fieldwork at the site․ Volunteer events bring together students‚ staff‚ and members of the local community․
Viaro's charitable initiatives include the Viaro/RockRose Energy Charity Fund‚ set up in 2023 to support causes that are meaningful to Viaro group employees. Other community activities and financial support from Viaro include sponsorships and academic support‚ such as a university bursary covering an undergraduate STEM degree․
A total of 38 charities were supported in 2023 through Viaro’s community giving programs. £148,143 was Viaro’s charitable and community contributions in 2024, according to its 2024 Sustainability Performance Highlights report.
The company partnered with Portlethen Moss Conservation Group to develop the Viaro Sensory Garden‚ which opened to the public in July 2024․ It includes features such as accessible paths and raised planters, animal-friendly habitats, and a sensory board, which is an interactive tool that engages multiple senses such as touch and sight, which also helps those on the autism spectrum experience the garden.
Mazzagatti's vision also drives employee volunteering activities at Viaro. In September 2023‚ RockRose employees ran the 50-mile Ochil Ultra Marathon from Perth to Stirling‚ raising £5‚000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation‚ a charity that supports motor neuron disease research․ Other RockRose employee activities included collaboration with Aberdeenshire Council's Ranger Service at Portlethen Moss to build two piling dams to retain water in the peat bog and protect its wildlife and stored carbon.
Volunteer efforts have taken place in London․ In June 2025‚ Viaro staff volunteered with Trees for Cities at Closes Park in Hillingdon to mulch newly planted trees․ In June 2026‚ Viaro employees volunteered at Hackney City Farm, a community charity Viaro has supported with donations, to clean animal enclosures‚ turn compost‚ paint gates‚ and repair fences․