Regional Australia Institute
During 2024, the Foundation agreed to extend its funding program with Regional Australia Institute (RAI) for a further three years at $1m per annum, ending in 2027. Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is Australia’s only independent think tank solely focused on regional Australia. It exists to ensure all levels of government, industry and community members have access to the information they need to make decisions impacting the future of regional Australia.
Since its inception in 2011, RAI has worked in partnership with government, academia, and community and industry organisations to develop a deep portfolio of research and policy work. The Foundation’s grant supports RAI organisational capacity to develop evidence-based research leading to better economic and social policy outcomes to transform Australia’s Regions. RAI is also actively engaging government at all levels and industry groups to promote business development and employment in Regional Australia.
In 2022, RAI developed the Regionalisation Ambition 2032 – a framework designed to help direct the actions of government, industry, and the community towards achieving a greater proportion of Australians living prosperously in the regions by 2032 and beyond. This framework continues to be used as an effective tool in guiding and measuring progress.
RAI continues to successfully lift the profile of Regional Australia and raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges faced by the regions through key research reports and a variety of conventions and forums targeting business and government at all levels.
