Frequently Asked Questions
Practical questions answered.
From arrangements and travel information to accommodation, food, children, accessibility, programme details, tickets and contributions, you’ll find answers to a range of questions below to help you plan your time at the gathering. If there’s something we’ve missed, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this festival for?
This festival is for people who are part of the wider movement of people working towards more regenerative futures. You might be part of the Transition movement, involved with another network, organisation or community group, or simply joining as a curious individual.
We hope the gathering will be a space to rekindle relationships across the Transition movement, while also opening doors to new connections, collaborations and possibilities.
Can you please break down the dates and arrival/departure days for the overall gathering?
The gathering will unfold in three parts:
- 31 May – 3 June | Internal Team Strategy Meetings: These days are for Transition Network International (TNI), the wider movement and other organisations who have chosen to hold their own internal retreats and strategy meetings at Salema.
- 3 June (afternoon) | Arrival for the Festival: Participants joining the main festival will arrive and settle in.
- 4–6 June | Main Festival: Three days of coming together, sharing, learning, connecting and weaving collective resilience across the global Transition movement and beyond.
- 6 June (evening) or 7 June (morning) | Festival Departure: Participants can depart on the evening of 6 June or the morning of 7 June.
- 7–8 June | Optional Deep Dives: An opportunity to stay on for additional days of focused exploration, learning and deeper engagement with particular themes and practices.
How does pricing work?
We’re doing our best to balance the real costs of making the gathering happen with our intention to keep it accessible to people in different circumstances.
We have a range of registration rates, including early bird, local, young people and accessibility rates. When you register, you’ll be able to choose the rate that best fits your situation.
If you’re in a position to contribute at the higher end, choosing the higher rate helps us cover the costs of the gathering and makes it possible for us to keep offering reduced rates to others. And if the costs are still a barrier, please reach out. We’ll do our best to sense into what creative possibilities might be available.
Accommodation is handled separately from registration (which includes food), with a range of accommodation options available through Salema Eco Camp.
Do I need to attend the Festival and the Deep Dives?
You can choose what works for you. The Festival and Deep Dives have separate registrations, so you can attend either one or both.
If you’d like to take part in both, remember to register for each.
What about accommodation?
Salema Eco Camp offers a range of options, including camping, glamping, lodges, apartments, studios and mobile homes. The different options range from bringing your own tent to more comfortable private accommodation, so you can choose what works best for you and your budget. Salema has kindly offered us a 15% on all accommodation options for gathering participants.
Is the gathering accessible?
Salema Eco Camp is a large, natural and hilly/terraced site, so some areas involve slopes and uneven ground. There are accessible facilities on site, but accessibility varies between different accommodation and gathering spaces. If you have specific access needs, please let us know during registration so we can help you find the most suitable option.
What about food?
Meals will be included in the registration price. Food will be provided through the on-site Nazari restaurant, which serves Mediterranean-inspired food and offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Three meals + snack/coffee are included. We will share more details about meal times and how we’ll accommodate other dietary requirements before the gathering.
How do I travel there?
Salema Eco Camp is in the Algarve, close to the village of Salema. By car, it can be reached via the A22 motorway from Faro or Spain, or via the A2 from Lisbon. If travelling by public transport, there are train connections to Lagos, followed by VAMUS bus line 47, with a bus stop directly in front of the camp. Salema is about 15 minutes from Sagres and 24 minutes from Lagos by car. There is also a free shuttle from the camp to Salema Beach, which is about 15 minutes away on foot.
Faro Airport (FAO) is the closest major international airport. From Faro, you can travel by public transport to Lagos and then continue to Salema by bus. We’ll share more detailed travel guidance, including options for shared rides and lower-carbon travel, with registered participants.
What about the carbon cost of travelling?
Bringing people together from around the world has a significant carbon footprint, especially when people travel by air. We take that seriously.
If people are going to invest the time, money and emissions involved in travelling to an international gathering, we want the experience to have a lasting impact. We’re creating space for relationships, collaborations, learning and ideas that can continue long after the gathering itself.
We’ll encourage people to travel by train, bus, carpool, rideshare or bicycle where these options are possible. We’ll also look for ways to help people connect with others travelling from the same region.
This gathering marks 20 years of Transition and 10 years since we had an international gathering. It’s a special moment for the international network rather than something we intend to repeat every year.
In the years that follow, we plan to put more of our resources into supporting bioregional and local gatherings. This will make it easier for people to connect and learn closer to home while staying connected to the wider Transition network.
Can I bring my organisation or team?
Yes. See Partnership Opportunities for how delegations work.
Can I come if I’m new to Transition?
Yes. You don’t need to know the Transition movement or have been involved in a local group to join the gathering.
There will be plenty of opportunities to meet people, learn about the movement, share your work and take part in the programme.
Can I bring my own tent?
Yes. Salema Eco Camp has spaces for tents, caravans and motorhomes. The campsite does not use numbered pitches and camping spaces are normally allocated on arrival according to availability. For our gathering, we’ll provide more information about how camping will work as part of the registration process.
Can I bring children to the gathering, and what arrangements are available for them?
Absolutely! Children are very welcome at the gathering. There are a few things to know when planning your family’s stay:
- Meals: Children aged 3–11 receive a 50% discount on meals, while babies under 3 eat free.
- Baby cots: Complimentary baby cots are available for babies up to 3 years old. Please let us know in advance if you need one.
- Shared accommodation: Shared accommodation is priced per bed, regardless of age. For example, if one parent and a 4-year-old child would like two separate beds, they will pay for both beds at the standard rate (e.g. €35 × 2).
- Sharing a bed: Children under 6 can share a bed with a parent at no additional accommodation cost. However, please bear in mind that these are individual beds designed for one adult, so this may not be the most comfortable arrangement.