EURAF Staff
Policy advisor – Gerry Lawson
Gerry Lawson is a forester and ecologist with a background in tropical and temperate forestry and in subantarctic botany. He has long experience of environmental research issues in Europe, having worked on EU Research Projects relating to agriculture, bioenergy and environment since Framework Programme 1 (1984-87). Gerry has contributed to European agroforestry, climate and bioenergy policy issues over the past 20 years and was the main EURAF delegate on the Forest & Cork, Environment and Climate Change and CAP Civil Dialogue Groups during the past five years. He was responsible for international and open data policies at the UK Natural Environment Research Council, and Research Councils UK, and is a member of the UK Institute of Chartered Foresters and the UK Institute of Biologists. He was a Lead Author of the IPCC Good Practice Guidance for Land Use Land Use Change and Forestry, and has published extensively on agroforestry, forest ecology, biological wastewater treatment, polar ecology and tropical forestry. He is currently leading or contributing to the agricultural/environmental policy work packages in three Horizon Europe projects (DigitAF, DISTENDER, ResAlliance), and is closely involved with CAP Strategic Plans, including monitoring issues.
Project officer- Daniel Monteleone
Daniel Monteleone has a Masters in Political Science and has worked as a project coordinator for several Erasmus+ projects and as a project officer for other EU-funded projects (Interreg, Horizon2020, Erasmus+, and LIFE). Prior to moving to Europe, he worked for the United States Department of Agriculture as a statistician and as the board chairperson for the California State University Northridge University Student Union. His published works include “Water in the Circular Economy Policy Development” and “Supporting the sustainable Long-term Implementation of a European Network of Agroecology Living Labs and Research Infrastructures.” He also oversaw the development of the “eNatura2000” digital application.
At EURAF, Daniel is a Project Officer focused primarily on the Carbon Farming Med project.
Secretary General – Constantin Muraru
With a background in environmental sciences and international affairs, Constantin Muraru is the Secretary General of EURAF. Previously, he worked as Senior Policy Adviser at IPIFF (International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed), focusing on strategic communications and political advocacy with a focus on the protein transition. With an interest in agri-food sustainability across the food supply chain, Constantin was involved in a wide range of EU and international activities, such as the ‘Commission on insects’ of the European Federation of Animal Science (Davos, 2021), the development of FAO reports (Looking at edible insects from a food safety perspective, Rome – 2021; Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture – 2021), while also leading IPIFF’s involvement in the United Nations Food Systems Summit.
At EURAF, he is in charge of EURAF’s activities in the Brussels bubble, working (among others) on advocacy towards the EU institutions and fundraising activities.
Junior Advocacy Officer – Rūta Žulpaitė
Rūta is a strategic communicator and organiser with a background in film, ecology, and social movement building. She holds an MSc in Strategy and Design of the Anthropocene from Lyon, France.
Previously, Rūta worked in non-profit organisations focused on women’s rights, climate change, and social entrepreneurship. With a deep interest in ecological trade unionism, she’s actively exploring related academic and practical developments in Europe. Rūta aims to contribute to bridging labour and ecological issues, particularly within the agricultural sector.
At EURAF, Rūta leads communications and storytelling efforts. She also contributes to fundraising, advocacy, and strategic planning.