PITCHFEST has been a feature of Social Impact in the Regions since the beginning. Through this time had pitch-ees join us from all over regional Australia pitching ideas from financial literacy to mental health support, robotics to youth programs.
Our delegates love this session, not only for it’s ability to showcase the incredible ways regional Australians are creating social impact, but also the function of pitching – something we all love (or, usually don’t).
In 2026 we’ve taken the National SIITR Pitchfest up a notch, coupling it with the first Ready Communities National Regional Challenges. And – we’ll also be delivering a project related to each challenge from our Flagship (host) community, Stanthorpe QLD.
How it works: In May 2026 we put a call out across the country across six different challenges asking regional Australians to ‘show us yours’. Between May and 10 July we will collate a series of case studies across the Challenges, share what we’ve been shown and choose one case study per Challenge to join us at SIITR26. The 2026 National Regional Challenges are:
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- Sustainability – How does your region keep tourists coming even when the water runs low
- Cultural Practices – How does your region tell a story that belongs to everyone?
- Community Contribution – How does your region keep its volunteer heart strong?
- Local economy – How does your region keep its money working locally?
- Liveability – How does your region solve its own housing problem?
- Intergenerational Connection – How does your region’s generations learn from each other to build something stronger?
Are you working or volunteering in these areas? Show us what you are doing here: Ready Communities – National Regional Challenges – A place to prosper
At SIITR26 we will also conduct an Impact Lab on each of the Challenges. In the Labs we will determine key goals, and after SIITR26 these will be released nationally. Once released we will support, monitor and measure all registered participants and we will report back in our 2027 Impact Paper and Action Plan.
What better way to create national collective action !
Perhaps we’ve actually taken it up three notches !
Nevertheless, we are really looking forward to hearing your stories so get cracking – submit, share, get involved ! Ready Communities – National Regional Challenges – A place to prosper
