Early Beta
This is an early beta version of the RITA website. Some sections are still under construction.
The Regional Impact Trade Alliance
Helping regions trade with purpose and connect locally rooted solutions with global opportunities based on trust, verifiability, and shared prosperity.
2nd Catalytic Encounter - May 27-29 / Euskadi Learn More —>
What is RITA?
A living system for purpose-driven collaborative trade.
RITA, the Regional Impact Trade Alliance, is a global alliance of regions that trade with purpose. We bring together territories, local governments, business, investors, academia and civil society committed to building economies that regenerate rather than extract. Our mission is simple: help regions transform their locally rooted solutions into trusted impact opportunities.
The RITA Method
Three forces to build a new architecture for impact-aligned trade
1. Recognize
Building trust through verified identity
Each region can become a Regional Impact of Origin (RIO): a verified identity built on collaboration for good between public sector, private sector, civil society and academia.
Outcome
Access to markets, investment, knowledge, and peers can trade confidently, knowing where impact comes from.
2. Connect
Linking people, regions, and opportunities
Through forums, working groups, and a digital platform, regions exchange knowledge, find partners, and design collaborative deals while they take an active role in transforming the system.
Outcome
Relationships built on trust, ready to activate trade and investment.
3. Convert
Turning collaboration into real agreements
Partnerships evolve into trade, investment, and learning cycles to drive impact.RITA facilitates these conversions by enabling inter territorial deals and collaborations.
Outcome
Visible gains today, stronger systems for tomorrow.
About RITA
RITA was co-founded by Matt Sykes of ReGeneration Projects in Melbourne, Nille Skalts of B Lab in Copenhagen, Rafael Kemelmajer of Quinto Impacto from Mendoza, and Pedro Tarak of Sistema B Internacional in Buenos Aires. Shortly after, it experienced gradual expansion thanks to João Bernardo Casali of Nativa from Rio de Janeiro, Massimo Mercati, Jacopo Orlando, and Roberto Remedia of Aboca from Tuscany, Serena Stoppoloni of Herbatint from Rome, Tobias Mendelovici of Ocean Business from Tel Aviv, Julia Maggion and Camila Días of Ateha from Florianópolis, Helena Nabuco from São Paulo, and Rufino Escassany from the Parana Delta.
How we Work
Building the system while enabling real trade.
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We are developing the foundations that make the RITA Alliance reliable, comparable, and scalable worldwide. At the core of every decision and standard is a simple rule: an impact region must bring together four types of actors — public sector, private sector, civil society and academia with:
Minimum Verification Standards → define what qualifies a Regional Impact of Origin (RIO)
Governance System → ensures representation, legitimacy, and accountability across territories.
Economic Sustainability Model → a blended model of membership, value-sharing, and catalytic funding.
Verification System & RIO Brand → transparent, global, and interoperable identity of origin.
Digital Platform & Impact Index → the backbone for matchmaking, measurement, and visibility.
Each building block is co-created with regional delegates and catalytic institutions through working groups active across 15+ territories.
System Building
We are developing the foundations that make the RITA Alliance reliable, comparable, and scalable worldwide.
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We scout, match, and support collaborations that prove how purpose-driven trade can work in practice:
Scouting and Matching → connecting solutions between regions from any continent.
Facilitation of Agreements → from MoUs to long-term partnerships.
Plenaries and Forums → spaces where trust and collaboration grow.
Regional Showcases → spotlighting regenerative and inclusive solutions ready to inspire and scale.
Enabling Real Trade
While the architecture takes shape, RITA facilitates tangible interregional trade
Who’s Involved
Together we are building the foundations of a growing alliance of regions, catalysts, and partners shaping impact trade.
From Latin America to Europe and beyond, 15 territories are already collaborating through 50+ potential agreements, supported by 12+ catalytic organisations and international gatherings. Together, they are building the foundations of a regenerative global trade movement.
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Latin America
Recôncavo da Guanabara (Brasil), Roo de Janeiro (Brasil), Mar de Cortés (Mexico), Región Sur de Chiapas (Mexico), Cuenca Motagua (Guatemala/Honduras), SICA – Centroamérica, Maule (Chile), Viña Valparaíso (Chile), Mendoza (Argentina), Mar del Plata (Argentina), Rosario (Argentina), Balcarce (Argentina), Uruguay.
Europe
Andros (Greece), Basque Country (Spain).
Multiple European regions coming soon.
Catalytic Organisations & Partners
Why Join
Visibility & Credibility
Gain global recognition as a verified Region of Impact Origin.
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Connect to a curated network of regions and investors.
Access & Partnerships
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Be part of the collective effort from Mendoza 2025 to the Basque Country 2026 and beyond.
Momentum & Support
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Co-design the standards shaping the future of impact trade.
Learning & Influence
Path to RIO
A collective journey to build and verify the system together.
Joining RITA means taking part in shaping the future Path to RIO — a shared process to define how regions will become Regions of Impact Origin (RIO).
1. Join the Collective Effort
Gather a small delegation from government, business, academia, and civil society. Bring your regional perspective and voice to the table.
2. Co-Define the Standards
Participate in working groups that are designing the verification system, governance model, and digital platform for RIOs.
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3. Pilot and Learn
Test the approach through real collaborations — trade, investment, or learning partnerships — feeding insights back into the system.
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4. Toward Verification
As the Path to RIO takes shape, early participants will be the first to reach verified recognition under the new global model.
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From Narrative to Deal
How purpose-driven trade becomes reality.
Case Story: ABOCA × Sinal do Vale
This collaboration became the first live case feeding insights back into RITA’s verification system (RIO) and competitiveness index.
The ABOCA × Sinal do Vale story is just one of 50+ interregional collaborations now emerging through RITA’s network
Context
In Brazil’s Recôncavo de Guanabara region, Sinal do Vale developed a regenerative supply model for acerola harvesting — combining biodiversity restoration and community inclusion.
In Umbria, ABOCA, a health and wellness company rooted in natural ingredients, was seeking sustainable sources aligned with its values.
The Match
Through RITA, both regions were connected.
Dialogue evolved into a three-year partnership blending investment, purchase agreements, and social and forest regeneration efforts.
The Impact
Strengthened local livelihoods through inclusive sourcing.
Advanced restoration of the Atlantic Forest.
Demonstrated how regional trust can translate into verified impact trade.
May 27-28-29, 2026 • Basque Country
The next major gathering of the RITA Alliance — advancing our collective vision for regional regenerative global trade
Choose your path of engagement
Join Us
Be part of the alliance redefining how the world trades.
Build up a Regional Impact of Origin (RIO)
For Regions & Territories
Join the Path to RIO to prepare yourself and:
- Gain international recognition as a verified region of impact.
- Access trade, investment, and learning opportunities.
- Co-design the standards and tools shaping future global trade.
- Ensure your delegation brings together: public sector, private sector, civil society and academia.
Support Regions and Shape the System
For Catalytic Organisations
Universities, civil society networks, public and business platforms, accelerators and investors can:
- Co-lead working groups on governance, platform, verification, and more.
- Facilitate regional onboarding and capacity building.
- Strengthen trust across the alliance.
Back the Build Phase of RITA
For Partners & Investors
Foundations, NGO’s, corporations, for profit purpose driven agents, and investors can:
- Contribute catalytic funding or technical expertise.
- Access a vetted pipeline of regional projects and deals.
- Help scale inter regional regenerative commerce globally.