What Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution does

The Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution (CICR) is a Canadian non-profit organization and federally registered charity (BN 118833409 RR 0001), founded in 1988 and headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario. It delivers conflict resolution, mediation, facilitation and community-dialogue training through a proprietary Third-Party Neutral (TPN) methodology codified over 37 years, anchored by a 160-hour flagship certificate program and supporting products including a 1-Day Immersion workshop, a 3-Day Identity-Based Conflict seminar, custom organizational training, and a municipal-sector program. Its core customers are professionals, federal/provincial/municipal government bodies, police forces (Ottawa Police, Toronto Police, Canadian Police College), and international organizations (historically CIDA, IFC/World Bank, DDG, and most recently MONUSCO); a wholly-owned volunteer-staffed program, Community Conflict Resolution Ottawa (CCRO), provides free community mediation, coaching, and facilitation in the National Capital Region alongside a 21-hour community mediation training pathway aligned to Ontario Community Mediation Coalition standards.

CICR's technology surface is conventional rather than proprietary — a Wix-hosted website with online booking, Zoom-based virtual sessions, email/SMS communications, and Google Analytics tracking — and its product value sits in experiential, practitioner-led curriculum (TPN 1-4 modules, 10 guiding principles) rather than in software. Its revenue mechanics blend fee-based professional services (certificate fees, custom contracts, workshop tickets, the 21-hour community training), a recurring-revenue-style donations stream processed through CanadaHelps, and grant-funded international and community projects (e.g., Ontario Trillium Foundation for CCRO, historical CIDA/IFC mandates). Distribution is direct-to-customer via the website and a sales-led consulting motion for enterprise/government engagements, supplemented by event-driven outreach (FCM 2025 Annual Conference) and thought leadership through blog, Facebook, LinkedIn and OBJ earned media.

In 2025, CICR delivered over 25 custom training mandates across sectors, graduated 34 new TPN certificate holders and 50 Cree-CICR partnership graduates, expanded institutional partnerships into Toronto and Montreal, returned to international work via MONUSCO, and relocated its headquarters from Saint Paul University to 150 Isabella Street after 37+ years — funded by an 11-50 employee staff base, a Board of Directors (chaired by Kendel Rust, with Daniel Markus as Executive Director), and a volunteer-driven community arm.

Name

Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution

Legal name

Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution

Website

https://cicr-icrc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution, founded in 1988, is a Canadian non-profit that delivers Third-Party Neutral conflict resolution training, mediation, facilitation, and custom organizational programs to leaders, governments, municipalities, police forces, and international partners across Canada and abroad.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Conflict Resolution Training

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Conflict Resolution & Negotiation (EDABAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Security Sector Reform (SSR) & Defense Institution Building (BPADAFAE)

Keywords

• Conflict resolution training
• Professional certificate programs
• Mediation services
• Community mediation
• Organizational training

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certificate and Workshop Programs: CICR generates revenue through fee-based training programs including the 160-hour Third-Party Neutral Certificate, 1-Day Immersion workshops, and Identity-Based Conflict seminars. Programs are offered in English and French, both in-person and online. Pricing is not publicly disclosed on the website.
2. Custom Organization Training: Fee-based customized training programs designed for specific organizational needs. After consultation, CICR designs processes, programs and case studies tailored to delivery format, learning objectives, languages, and participant experience levels.
3. Donations and Charitable Support: As a registered Canadian charity (BN 118833409 RR 0001), CICR accepts donations through CanadaHelps. Donations support the Social Mandate, CCRO Program, International and Community Scholarships and Projects.
4. Community Mediation Training: CCRO offers a 21-hour community mediation training with a reasonable fee. This training is available by invitation only and is provided at least once per year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution (CICR) is a non-profit training institute that delivers conflict resolution, mediation, facilitation, and community dialogue training to professionals and organizations across Canada and internationally. Its flagship offering is the 160-hour Third-Party Neutral (TPN) Certificate Program, complemented by shorter workshops, customized corporate training, and free community mediation services through its CCRO subsidiary program.

Product overview

The Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution (CICR) offers a portfolio of conflict resolution training programs and community services. The core offering is the Third-Party Neutral (TPN) 160-hour Certificate Program, a comprehensive professional certification covering conflict resolution, mediation, facilitation, and community dialogue. Complementary offerings include the 1-Day Immersion Workshop and 1-Day Municipalities workshop for skill-building, plus the 3-Day Identity-Based Conflict Seminar for advanced practitioners. CICR also provides Custom Training Services tailored to organizational needs. The subsidiary program Community Conflict Resolution Ottawa (CCRO) delivers free volunteer-powered community mediation, coaching, and facilitation services to National Capital Region residents, along with 21-hour community mediation training and monthly Community of Practice sessions. CICR's Train-the-Trainer pathway supports expansion of the practitioner community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Third-Party Neutral (TPN) 160-Hour Certificate Program CICR's flagship 160-hour professional certificate program in conflict resolution, mediation, and facilitation using a Third-Party Neutral approach. Includes modules TPN1-4 covering foundational skills, group facilitation, mediation techniques, and advanced practice. Offered in English and French, both in-person and online. Targeted at managers, leaders, HR professionals, and practitioners seeking professional certification.
• 1-Day Immersion Workshop (Dealing with Conflict)

Quantifiable outcome

• 34 new TPN graduates and 50 Cree-CICR partnership graduates in 2025 alone
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cree Communities (Cree-CICR Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Over 15-year collaboration producing 50 TPN graduates in 2025 alone. CICR delivers its Third-Party Neutral certificate program in partnership with Cree communities, adapting training for Indigenous contexts.
• MONUSCO (United Nations Peacekeeping Mission, Democratic Republic of Congo)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CICR delivered TPN training to MONUSCO staff in Entebbe, Uganda in 2025. This international engagement supports peacebuilding and dialogue capacity in contexts shaped by protracted conflict.
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025CICR participated in FCM 2025 Annual Conference and Trade Show in Ottawa, connecting with municipal leaders, mayors, councillors, and CAOs from across Canada.
• Ontario Community Mediation Coalition (OCMC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CCRO follows standards set by OCMC, which endorses the community mediation model used. OCMC provides guidelines and certification framework for community mediation in Ontario.
• City of OttawaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025City of Ottawa proclaimed Conflict Resolution Day in September 2025, co-hosted with CICR. CICR Executive Director participated in the ceremony with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Deputy Mayor Steve Desroches.
• Danish Demining Group (DDG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016CICR collaborated with DDG on conflict mediation training in Afghanistan (2016-2017) and Sahel region border security management program (2016). CICR provided specialized training and coaching for DDG staff.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• JAMS: One of the largest private alternative dispute resolution providers globally, offering mediation, arbitration, and training across a wide range of practice areas. Comparable in mediation and ADR training offerings, though JAMS is a much larger, US-anchored incumbent with a broader portfolio.
• Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School: Premier academic clearinghouse for negotiation and conflict resolution teaching, executive education, and publications. Comparable as a high-credibility source of conflict resolution training, though university-anchored and US-based rather than a standalone non-profit.

Direct peers

• CDR Associates: US-based conflict resolution consulting firm providing mediation, facilitation, and training for government, corporate, and international clients. Comparable to CICR's blend of public-sector custom training and international peacebuilding work (Balkans, Africa).
• Center for Community Peacemaking: Wisconsin-based non-profit offering volunteer-staffed community mediation plus a 40-hour community mediation training model. Directly comparable to CCRO's volunteer-powered community mediation plus 21-hour training combination.
• Community Justice Initiative: Ontario-based non-profit offering community mediation, restorative justice, and customized workplace conflict training. Directly comparable to CCRO's community mediation plus CICR's custom training model, with a similar bilingual, Ontario-anchored footprint.
• ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC): Canada's national ADR professional body, also headquartered in Ottawa, offering mediation certification, training, and a member ecosystem. Directly comparable as a Canadian conflict resolution and mediation training organization serving both individual practitioners and institutional clients.
• Mediators Beyond Borders International: International non-profit that builds mediation and conflict resolution capacity in post-conflict and developing regions, often partnering with UN, USAID, and peacebuilding funders. Closely parallels CICR's international judicial reform and peacebuilding engagements (Serbia, Bosnia, Mali, DRC).

Regional players

• Mediate BC: British Columbia's provincial mediation society providing community mediation training, Roster certification, and customized workplace programs. Highly comparable as a bilingual, training-and-service organization with a community mediation arm analogous to CCRO.
• Resolution Institute (Australia): Australia's leading ADR professional body providing mediator accreditation, training, and member services. Comparable as a non-profit professional institute offering certification pathways and customized training, but operating primarily in Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

Emerging players

• Vantage Partners: Consulting firm specializing in negotiation, conflict management, and relationship management training for corporate clients. Comparable to CICR's custom corporate training and TPN methodology, though Vantage focuses exclusively on the private-sector enterprise segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cicricrc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cicr-icrc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution