2027 VEGAN & ANIMAL RIGHTS CONFERENCE
Manchester Mercure Piccadilly
9th - 11th April 2027
EXPLORE.
CONNECT.
TRANSFORM.
IS THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF
THE UK ANIMAL ADVOCACY MOVEMENT
Bringing together advocates, organisations and experts to build skills, share knowledge and foster collaboration through our annual conference and year-round programmes and resource hub.
We unite compassionate individuals, innovative thinkers, and organisations to amplify the movement for animals. Together, we empower advocates, share groundbreaking ideas, and inspire action.
We run a national annual conference, year-round training and leadership programmes and satellite events, providing the structure we need to scale up the movement.
WHAT IS VARC?
WHY ATTEND?
Strengthen the Movement:
Contribute to building a more cohesive and powerful UK animal advocacy network.
Engage with Experts: Participate in discussions and workshops led by thought leaders and experienced advocates.
Inspire Action: Gain practical skills and insights to amplify your impact for animals.
Network with Like-Minded Advocates:
Forge meaningful connections with grassroots organisers, movement leaders, and organisations.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
70+
engaging talks, workshops and panels on topics like legal advocacy, grassroots organising, storytelling, and leadership development.
60+
inspiring speakers, advocates, campaigners, and experts in the movement leading thought-provoking sessions.
500
advocates from the UK and beyond across the conference and our satellite events.
100%
of advocates describe the event as inclusive, supportive and welcoming.
ABOUT US
The Vegan and Animal Rights Conference (VARC) started as a transformative event dedicated to strengthening and energising the UK’s animal rights movement, and has today blossomed into multiple events, trainings and resources that are a central piece of infrastructure in the UK movement. Our mission is to bring together advocates from across the spectrum - grassroots organisers, movement leaders, NGOs, and new activists - to share ideas, build skills, and foster meaningful connections.
MISSION
Create highly valued events that create unity, build capacity, inspire and energise the movement to achieve freedom for animals in the UK
VISION
We envision a powerful and unified UK animal rights movement that accelerates global animal liberation.
OUR STORY
The Vegan and Animal Rights Conference (VARC) began in 2024 with a bold vision: to unite and empower the UK’s Animal rights movement like never before. Across the country, passionate advocates were working tirelessly for animals, but many lacked opportunities to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. We recognised that by bringing people together, we could build something truly transformative - a movement stronger than the sum of its parts.
ROSIE JACKSON
“The sessions were so useful - as if they had my exact needs in mind."
PROJECT PHOENIX
"Project Phoenix was born from conversations at VARC. We wouldn't be here without it."
WENDY MATTHEWS
VEGANUARY
“Everyone showed up ready to find synergies and explore how the movement ecosystem can best function”
