APR 25 – MAY 04, Algarve, Portugal
Heart Matters: Creating a World of Mutual Understanding
IIT starts on a day that is very special for Portugal, the 25th of April – The Freedom Day. It was on this date, in 1974, that Portugal freed itself from a dictatorship of more than 4 decades, and the way was opened for democracy and the construction of a fairer and freer society. It was a peaceful revolution, known as the Carnation Revolution, and allowed the restoration of human rights and civic participation of the people, and the end of wars in Africa, where Portugal was colonizing (Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cabo Verde and São Tomé e Príncipe).
The 25th of April also represents a symbol of courage and determination, to challenge the established power, with all the risks that this represents. And everything happened in a peaceful way – no weapons were fired. It also represents a dream, a vision of a better world, of a free and fair society.
And the dream, this vision of a fair and free society, is not yet achieved, which brings added meaning to this event in Portugal.
About The IIT Portugal
IIT NVC – International Intensive Training in Nonviolent Communication is…
…an immersive experience that will allow you to join workshops and pear to pear supporting groups where you will be able to gain your skills and practice the principles of nonviolent communication over nine days.
The training will welcome an international group of about 65 people from different countries, cultural backgrounds, professions, and walks of life who are willing to co-create a safe space where we will explore vulnerability, gain communication skills, deepen our consciousness, and foster personal and community-oriented change over an extended period of time.
Training will be held in English language. All plenary sessions and some workshops (depending on number of local participants) will be translated in Portuguese language.
Whether you are a parent, teacher, activist, leader, businessperson, social worker, or a curious explorer of life, please feel welcome to join us.
The retreat will be held by skilled organizers and four-five internationally-established trainers who are certified in nonviolent communication. We expect to host three-four additional supporting trainers, enabling even more individual support and additional learning opportunities for participants.
The surrounding will also contribute to your well-being and provide refreshing support.
What is Nonviolent Communication (NVC) ?
Nonviolent communication (NVC) is a practical, learnable process based on universal human needs that helps people connect more deeply with themselves and others. It promotes congruence with one’s values in thought, speech, and action.
The purpose of NVC is to create a quality of connection where everyone’s needs are valued equally and to come up with strategies to meet those needs – a practice that contributes to connection, harmony, and peace.
Nonviolent communication develops one’s ability to transform blame, anger, and criticism into understanding, effective communication, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Nonviolent communication focuses our attention on what matters most, leading to language and actions that are efficient, effective, and full of integrity.
Nonviolent communication strengthens our ability to inspire compassion and teamwork from others. It guides us to reframe how we express ourselves and how we hear others.
Nonviolent communication as developed by Marshall B. Rosenberg is a way of opening space for deep and sincere connections that encourage people to express their needs and feelings in an honest and full-hearted way. It strives for connection, equality instead of hierarchy, and readiness to show vulnerability instead of convincing others of their wrongdoing. This specific language also gives space for efficiency, clarity, concrete strategies, and requests that will best serve the needs of everyone included through joyful giving and receiving.
Rosenberg developed nonviolent communication on the basis of Carl Rogers’ humanistic psychology and on his own experiences of mediation in high-conflict areas all over the world. Since its beginning in the 1970s, NVC has become well-known around the world. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of practitioners and around 700 certified trainers all over the globe, organized and supported by the Center for Nonviolent Communication. People are using the skills provided by NVC in various contexts: in personal relationships, business settings, school systems, NGOs, in activism, restorative work in jails, municipalities, police communities, community set-ups, mediation, and many more.
Meet the team
Trainers
Reena Ginwala
Certified Trainer since 2023

Resilience is a blessing of living a life of courage, authenticity and purpose… I am blessed to have Nonviolent Communication skills, consciousness and practice to sustain a life of my choosing. I am keen to connect with you, listen, learn and celebrate as I share my lived experience and wisdom to contribute to a natural flow of giving and receiving that makes life more wonderful for one and all.”
I bring to this IIT the gifts I have received from my inner journey as a divorced woman in India, who saw herself as a failure to emerge with grace and courage to own my choices and reclaim my dignity. My experiences as a single parent raising 3 daughters over the last 23 years have resulted into an interesting body of work regarding wholesome interdependence in a power-with blended family We now walk towards conflicts and disconnects with curiosity and care knowing we will clean up any mess from the past and celebrate our individual and collective growth. Revisiting the core beliefs and transforming limiting beliefs, we can rewrite our stories as we access inter-generational resilience.
NVC as a consciousness and radical practice helps me engage with Social change and Systemic change from the lens of Power, Privilege, and the DEI Lens. I am excited about thriving in interdependence through dialogue, honest expression and grief work. Eastern wisdom guides me to integrate NVC as a consciousness in my daily life and I am excited to explore all these themes with you.
Dmitriy Kopina
Certified Trainer since 2018

I am first and foremost a human being.
On my business and personal journey, I experienced different extremes in order to find a suitable middle path, which I am still looking for. In the business world, I spent a large part of my career in the international ICT environment, mainly as a manager and in a connecting role between the business and technical worlds. For the last decade, my life path has brought me into contact with nature, movement and the search for a different quality of life. Rich and invaluable experiences, however, I pass on to others as my mission.
My mission is to provide support to individuals and companies in their search for their own path, fullness of life and awareness with the aim of connecting, cooperating, building community, improving relationships and quality of life.
I work as a trainer, expert, leader, coach, father and teacher in personal and business areas. At the same time, I am an experienced communicator, a long-term practitioner in the field of partner relations and connecting communication.
By education, I have a PhD in economics and business sciences, with more than a quarter of a century of experience in management, teamwork, organization and education in various domestic and international environments.
Gerardo Sánchez Lozano
Certified Trainer since 2017

My name is Gerardo Sánchez Lozano. I am a certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication and a CNVC Assessor for Spain and LATAM. I am also a Gestalt therapist and have been trained in transgenerational systemic therapy I am the author of the book Introducción a la Comunicación No Violenta (in Spanish).
My mission is to help people to have quality relationships through personal development and learning resources to know themselves better based on Gestalt therapy, Nonviolent Communication and the systemic approach.
When people become aware of what is blocking their authenticity, they are able to live a fuller life, bring quality to all their relationships and have more clarity and energy to carry out their projects, achieve their objectives and contribute to the creation of a more peaceful world.
Liv Larsson
Certified Trainer since 2002

I have been a Certified Trainer with CNVC since 2002 and have worked as a coach, mediator, and workshop leader since 1992. I have written 24 books on the theme of NVC, both for adults and children, which have been translated into several languages. Some of my titles include Anger, Guilt, and Shame – Reclaiming Power and Choice, A Helping Hand – Mediation with Nonviolent Communication, Cracking the NVC Code, and my most recent book, Unmasking Shame: Compassion and Connection at All Stages of Life.
I live in the north of Sweden, and one of my contracts as a mediator is with the Swedish FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), where I mediate between the indigenous Sami people and some of Sweden’s largest forest and mining companies. I have shared my unique approach to teaching mediation skills with a wide range of groups, from UN mediators to social workers and parents, and I’ve led mediation trainings in Australia, Europe, and Asia. One of my areas of expertise and personal interest is the impact of shame on both the mediator and the parties involved in mediation.
Aside from NVC and writing, my passions include cross-country skiing, hiking, swimming, yoga, and being in nature.
organizers
António Pedro Martins

My background is in Physics, and I’ve worked with several universities and research centers across Europe and former Eastern Bloc countries. The desire to reach others in a more meaningful way led me to become a primary and secondary school teacher, driven by the dream of changing the world through families and young people.
I grew up in a family where conflicts were avoided and communication was often poor or absent. I had to deconstruct my rigidity and fear of conflict, and rebuild the adult I had become. I immersed myself in various fields, such as Theater, Philosophy for Children, Yoga, Buddhist Meditation, Creative Writing, Systemic Constellations, Nonviolent Communication, and Conflict Mediation.
With almost 30 years of teaching experience and 10 years as a Conflict Mediator, working with families and young people in regions of significant conflict and violence, I’ve gained a deep understanding of conflict dynamics and the effectiveness of Nonviolent Communication.
In 2021, I published my book, From Conflict to Love – Nonviolent Communication in School and Life, through Astrolábio Editions, in both Portugal and Brazil.
I cherish meaningful human relationships. Meaning, Contribution, and Purpose are three human needs that guide everything I do—and that’s why I’m here!
Tamara Bucić

Growing up in Croatia during a time of war, I faced a challenging environment both outside and within my home, along with a lack of quality communication in my family. This experience had a strong impact on my relationships and self-perception. Realizing the need for change, I discovered Nonviolent Communication through a book by Marshall Rosenberg, a gift from my yoga teacher. This encounter transformed my approach to communication, and I became a passionate advocate for NVC, sharing its principles and techniques with others whenever I could.
My dedication to personal growth and meaningful human connections is reflected in everything I do, making me a committed and inspiring advocate for Nonviolent Communication.
Wilnellia Diep

I was born in France and found my passion for adventure and discovering the world while working as a travel agent. This eventually led me to move to Bangkok, Thailand, where I lived for 12 years.
In 2005, I fell in love with India. During a walk and talk with a good friend there, I was introduced to Nonviolent Communication (NVC), which soon became a significant part of my life. I’ve been dedicated to NVC ever since, and I am now a certification candidate.
I have many passions, including ecstatic/5 rhythms dance, music and live concerts, immersing myself in nature, and gazing at the stars and the beauty of human beings.
About the venue
This magical IIT will be held at Monte Mariposa, located in the South of Portugal, 15 km away from the wonderful coast of Algarve, in the middle of Serra do Caldeirão. Surrounded by gentle hills and deep valleys, this mountain range offers a stunning scenery, where nature and tranquility meet.
Imagine yourself surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, with cork oaks and holm oaks that paint the horizon. On hot days you can smell pine and rockrose, adorned with their white flowers. It is the ideal place for this journey, which will be unforgettable, where every moment is an opportunity to reconnect with yourself and the environment. Come and live this experience, in an oasis of calm and inspiration, to rediscover balance and renewal.
This Retreat Centre is in the heart of the Algarve where people come together to learn, teach, experience, exchange and inspire each other. We host courses, residential trainings, retreats and workshops, all based on human growth and understanding.
Monte Mariposa has a natural beauty and they offer a special environment for you that is inspiring, nourishing and enriching. They are not based on any particular philosophy or religious path and are open to all teachings that deepen and broaden their experience of themselves and our world.
A beautiful environment with:
- Simple living
- Connection with nature
- Privacy and peace
- Variety of indoor and outdoor workspaces
- Great climate and beautiful setting
- Easy access to the wonderful beaches of Ria Formosa.
- Healthy, tasty, and home-cooked vegetarian food based on the Mediterranean diet, using local products
All in the shining sun and warmth of Algarve.
📍Location
St. Catarina da Fonte do Bispo
Caixa Postal 787 A
8800 – 161 Tavira
🌍See the location in Google maps
Accommodation Options in the Main Building (36 Beds)
3 apartments, each one with:
1 room with double bed
1 room with 3 single beds
1 room with 1 double and 1 single bed
1 share bathroom
Self contained apartment
with 1 double bed, 1 kitchenette, 1 bathroom
2 dormitories
with 6 beds each, 4 showers, 2 toilets
1 small terrace bedroom
with 2 beds
1 Cabin
with 1 double with 1 single
Accommodation Options in the Valley (24 Beds)
9 wooden cabins
with 2 single beds
2 wooden cabins
with kitchenette, double bed, bathroom
1 wooden cabin
with 1 double and 1 single bed
In the valley, you have one Kitchen with a dining area, 2 shower buildings with toilets (a total of 6 showers and 5 toilets), one Outdoor Workspace, with The Temple of the Trees (approx. 18 m²), one swimming pool and space for camping
Accommodation nearby
There is the option of accommodation in Herdade da Corte, 4 km away from Monte Mariposa, where you can stay in a single room. We offer this option considering the few single rooms available in the place of the IIT.
Before you choose this option, please take into account that there are things happening late in the evening, after the daily schedule, and early, in the morning.
Pricing
We want to enable as many people as possible to participate in an IIT, regardless of their financial position. At the same time, we care that the cost of organizing the event is covered, CNVC (as a sponsor for this training) is sustainably funded, and that trainers and organizers can be adequately remunerated. Holding care for all these elements, the tuition fees have been set as follows:
- $2,175 – Early Bird (make your payment through 18-Dec-2024) – convert to another currency
- $2,495 – Standard (19-Dec-2024 and after) – convert to another currency
Discounts available include (contact us to get a discount code):
- 10% if you participated in (and paid for) a previous intensive training with CNVC
- 10% if you have been a Supporting Member of CNVC for 6 months or more.
- 15% for registered Certification Candidates
- 25% if you are an active Certified Trainer with CNVC – Note, that there is also a limited number of tuition-free spaces available for Certified Trainers, granted by a committee. For more information, contact us.
Note: only one of these discounts may apply; you may combine it with the Early Bird price.
If you are a Portuguese citizen and a full-time resident of Portugal, you qualify for the Regional Tuition Fee:
- EUR 1,740 / USD 1,900 – Early Bird (make your payment through 18-Dec-2024) – convert to another currency
- EUR 1,996 / USD 2,180 – Standard (19-Dec-2024 and after) – convert to another currency
Note: The Regional Tuition fee cannot be combined with the discounts listed above.
FAQ
What is an IIT?
- A residential workshop
- An experiential workshop for developing fluency in Nonviolent Communication
- An opportunity to learn and practice Nonviolent Communication with CNVC-certified trainers and other like-minded people from around the world
- A time to form relationships with like-minded people who share your values and goals
- A group of people from different cultures working together toward transformed relationships and social systems
How will I learn?
- By listening to presentations about various aspects of Nonviolent Communication
- By participating in small groups for experiential learning
- Through informal practice with other participants during meals, walks, etc.
- By remembering the purpose of Nonviolent Communication
- By contributing to other participants and receiving their support
- By living in an NVC Community for 9 days
What does an IIT cost and what do the fees include?
- The cost of an IIT has two parts: 1) Tuition; and 2) Accommodations (room and board and facility use fee).
- Accommodation charges vary from one facility to another, but are never optional. Even if you do not sleep or dine at the facility, there will be an accommodation fee, called a “Commuter Fee.” This is separate from, and in addition to, the Tuition.
- Meals begin with dinner on the first day of the training and include lunch on the last day of the training.
- Additional meals due to early arrival or late departure are not handled by CNVC. Similarly, CNVC does not handle arrangements for lodging before the IIT check-in time nor after the IIT check-out time. Arrangement for these accommodations, and payment for them, is the responsibility of the individual participant.
- Transportation to and from the training location is the responsibility of the individual participant, although we usually create a system to help you organize ride sharing. We also provide you with common transportation options.
What is the daily schedule & structure?
This is a typical schedule. Please note that organizing teams sometimes adjust the times and structure depending on local circumstances.
8:00 – 8:45 am – Breakfast
9:00 – 9:45 am – Community Meeting
10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Session One
12:15 – 1:00 pm – Lunch
1:45 – 2:45 pm – Empathy Home Groups
3:00 – 5:00 pm – Session Two
5:15 – 6:00 pm – Community Meeting
6:00 – 6:45 pm – Supper/Dinner
7:30 – 9:30 pm – Session Three
What are the start and end times?
Day 1 (start day) – Accommodation check-in time on Friday, 25 April, begins at 2 pm. We recommend that you arrive at the venue between 2-5 pm (14:00-17:00) so that you have enough time to register with the organizers, check in to your accommodation, and get settled before dinner and the first session.
Day 10 (end date) – The final session will be Sunday morning, 04 May, and we will end with lunch that day. People will likely begin to leave at around 1-2 pm.
What payment options do I have?
For the tuition:
We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, or bank wire transfers. Payment options vary depending on the country in which the IIT takes place. Tuition fees will be paid to CNVC, and you will receive clear instructions upon registration.
For the accommodation:
Payment will be made to the local organizer. We request payment in EUR euro only and we accept bank wire transfers only. You will receive clear instructions upon registration.
How do I register for an IIT?
Each IIT has its own landing page. You can pre-register for an IIT by filling out the pre-registration form at the bottom of the IIT’s landing page. Once you submit this form, you will receive instructions on next steps, including making your payment and/or requesting financial assistance for tuition.
Once an IIT is filled, CNVC creates a waiting list. If the IIT is full when you fill out the pre-registration form, (1) your name is automatically placed on the waiting list in the order received, and (2) we will ask you not to make your payment yet.
Please wait until your registration has been confirmed before making travel reservations.
Can I record the sessions?
At the beginning of the IIT, the Trainer/Organizer Team will discuss an agreement with all participants about audio/video recording and photography. To preserve choice on the part of other participants, and to create an environment that encourages people to share their personal experiences, we ask you to align your actions with the agreed policy.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
You can find the policy here.
Does CNVC offer financial assistance?
Our goal is to make our intensive trainings accessible to as many people as possible, including those for whom money is a barrier. We value and celebrate diversity and aim to include people from a variety of backgrounds. Therefore, we offer a limited amount of Financial Assistance to IITs. Below are the criteria the Financial Assistance Committee takes into consideration:
- Are you actively collaborating with others in the NVC network?
- What impact could you make in the world by participating in an intensive training?
- Do you come from a disadvantaged group with less access to resources? (Examples: race, ethnicity, origin, religion, gender identity, class)
- Do you live in a country where NVC is less available?
- Do you live in a country with a below average developed economy?
- Do you live in the country in which the IIT is taking place?
- How much can you pay?
- Are you willing to search for other sources of financial support, such as your workplace (professional development), family (personal development), organizations, or crowdfunding efforts?
Please remember: To be eligible for consideration, first fill out the pre-registration form, and then the financial assistance form.
Please also note that CNVC rarely offers reductions for room and board or transportation expenses for applicants other than those from developing countries.
We encourage you to request financial assistance as early as possible; the earlier you request this support, the more likely you are to receive it. Typically, we begin reviewing these requests 5-6 months prior to the start of the event and review them monthly until approximately 2 months prior the start.
Can the whole family come to the IIT?
We want the IIT to be a deep learning and personal growth experience for participants and to create a space likely to meet needs for community, trust, and emotional safety. Because of the emotional depth and intensity at an IIT, and the range of issues that arise that may not be suitable for children, our policy at this point is to have only registered adult participants at these events (i.e., no children or non-registered partners/family members).
If children or other family member(s) are with you while you are at the IIT, it is our request that they reside offsite unless the venue is a public facility with other guests present. We support the participation of parents of young children, and if you bring your children, we ask that you have a full-time caregiver available throughout the duration of the training to ensure that you are free to participate fully.
If you would like to share NVC retreat experiences with your children, there are opportunities in our network, such as family camps, in which you can participate together as a family.
A couple from Europe that had their children with them while they were at an IIT and took turns attending IIT sessions and taking care of their children, who were staying offsite at a nearby hotel, shared the following about their experience:
“I came to appreciate why children being on the sessions could disturb the connecting processes, because the emotional work involved was indeed very delicate many times. Just minor disturbances may be a hindrance to one’s ‘listening’ to one’s own and others’ emotional processes, I believe. But it became less of a problem in that the whole event was structured as a kind of smorgasbord of offerings, making it easy for me and my husband to take turns. But I do regret my not being able to participate more totally and fully during the nine days.”
I attended an IIT before. Can I attend again?
Yes. People find great value in attending IITs several time during their NVC journey. We provide a 10% tuition reduction to people who have previously attended an IIT.
Is attendance of an IIT still required to become a CNVC-certified trainer?
We strongly recommend candidates to attend an IIT before becoming certified, but we are no longer in integrity with having a “requirement” in the certification process. Therefore, Assessors have established the following requests if a candidate does not attend an IIT before becoming certified:
- Multi-day, in-depth, residential training
- International NVC experience
- Areas fully experienced: NVC community (ongoing peer support), spirituality, and social change
- Significant NVC experience with multiple CNVC-certified trainers and mentors
- Established a connection to CNVC, have a clear priority to support CNVC’s mission, willing and able to renew annual certification
If a candidate didn’t participate in an IIT before certification, she or he pays for the first IIT as a certified trainer.