An Italian millionaire from the family business that created the Lambretta scooter has launched a grant making charity in the UK.

Lorenzo Innocenti has created the Ferdinando and Luigi Innocenti Foundation (F&LI) to support young people facing disadvantage in the UK.

He has chosen to set up the charity, which is named after his father and grandfather, in the UK as he studied in London when he was younger.

The foundation is being led by chief executive Andrea Cooper who said: “The Ferdinando & Luigi Innocenti Foundation will bring a freshness to the youth sector by giving power to young people to lead their own projects.

“We are passionate about enabling young people to experience the deep joy of discovering new passions and finding purpose in life.”

The charity’s first announced partnerships are with BBC Children in Need and Richard Branson’s Big Change charities.

Funding so far includes an allocation to Agency Academy, a North West not for profit organisation to offer young people from disadvantage training for digital, creative and technology careers.

It says it will initially “invest in organisations with a shared value and vision for young people and projects embracing a spirit of invention and youth-led design”.

“My father Luigi and grandfather Ferdinando devoted themselves to improving society with their ideas and vision,” said Lorenzo Innoccenti.

“We look forward to working with our partners to learn what achieves impact over the years.”

---