About us
Our Story
The Initiative "Regional Impact Trade Alliance" was inspired in 2022 at the premises of ABOCA and in Sansepolcro (Italy), during the first global event of Impact Trade (IT). Co-Founders Matt Sykes from Regeneration Projects, Nille Skalts from B Lab Nordics, Pedro Tarak from Impact Trade and Sistema B, Rafael Kemelmajer from Quinto Impacto and the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, committed to pursue its creation in their respective domains of leadership.
Prior to this milestone, Co-Founders Matt and Rafael had explored concrete hands-on testing of its potential, by convening in 2021 a first inter-regional virtual dialogue between multi stakeholder groups in Melbourne and Mendoza. The conversation inspired collective action at the IT gathering at ABOCA.
Seeing the positive reaction that the Initiative catalyzed, Melbourne-based consultancy Regeneration Projects (B Corp), led by Matt, decided to support by incubating the initiative from 2022-2024. The momentum continued with the support of an Inter-Regional Working Group, which emerged from Impact Trade in Sansepolcro. The Group, with its very valuable initial guidance and active involvement, included:
Camila Sasso (Ateha), Florianopolis (BRA)
Ignacio Guarnieri (then LSQA), Montevideo (URY)
Joao Bernardo Casalli (Nativa), Rio de Janeiro (BRA)
Julia Maggion, (Ateha), Florianopolis (BRA)
Matt Sykes (Regeneration Projects), Melbourne (AUS)
Nille Skalts (B Lab Nordics), Copenhagen (DNK)
Pedro Tarak (Impact Trade & Sistema B), Buenos Aires (ARG)
Rafael Kemelmajer (Quinto Impacto & Universidad Nacional de Cuyo), Mendoza (ARG)
Roberto Remedia (Aboca), Sansepolcro (ITA)
Rufino Escassany (Proyecto Delta) (ARG)
Serena Stoppoloni (Herbatint), Rome (ITA)
Tobias Mendelovici (Ocean Business), Tel Aviv (ISR)
In October 2023, Regional Impact Trade Alliance Ltd was established as a non-profit public company limited by guarantee in Australia by a Board of Directors - Tim Schneider (Chair), Joh Bloomberg (Secretary) and Matt Sykes (Executive Director). Its purpose was to grant a legal framework, governance and legitimacy to the emerging initiative. Several pilot projects were developed on a pro bono basis during the 2022 -2024 period including the in-situ strategic planning meeting in Mendoza by several members of the Inter-Regional Working Group.
Simultaneously, Rafa, Pedro and others continued during the incubation phase with their voluntary contributions in the development of the intellectual, organisational and social capital of the Initiative, necessary for attracting financial and non-financial resources.
From January 2025, leadership of the Initiative shifted to Rafael and Pedro, specially in the organization of the First Catalytic Gathering. Held in June 2025 in Mendoza, 12 Catalytic organizations and 15 potential Impact Regions participated launching the RITA Alliance. In consequence, and with new co-creating leadership, system building working groups started. Also, several inter-regional agreements were developed.
In May 2026, with the leadership of ECODES, a Spanish-based NGO, and the support of the Basque Government and different promoting organizations, convened the Second Catalytic Gathering of RITA. This time with the participation of 15 Catalytic Organizations, over 30 potential potential impact regions, national and international supporting organisations.
As from June 2026, Regional Impact Trade Alliance Ltd deregistered having achieved its purpose of providing governance foundations and legitimacy during early phases. Simultaneously, a new international entity is being created to pursue global scaling with similar purposes with an active participation of representatives from Catalytic Organisations and other promoting institutions.
Founding Members
Matt Sykes
Executive Director & Global Strategic Council
Melbourne, Australia
Nille Skalts
Global Strategic Council
Copenhagen, Denmark
Pedro Tarak
Global Strategic Council
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Rafael Kemelmajer
Global Strategic Council
Mendoza, Argentina