ABOUT US

Building the UK Movement

To Accelerate Global

Animal LIberation

The Vegan and Animal Rights Conference (VARC) started as 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.

Through workshops, thought-provoking talks, and hands-on training, VARC equips advocates with the tools and inspiration to create a more compassionate and just world for animals. Whether you’re a seasoned campaigner or just beginning your advocacy journey, VARC is a space for growth, collaboration, and action.

The Annual Conference, which is the only event of its kind in the UK, has grown in scale, impact and recognition, and is now established as a vitally important date in the calendar. With the expansion into satellite events, Movement Builder's Day and Resource Hub, VARC has become the connective tissue that allows the UK movement - and by extension the international movement - to become more impactful, resilient, coordinated and stronger together.

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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

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.

2024

VISION BECOMES REALITY

Our inaugural conference in Manchester brought together 260 advocates, from grassroots organisers to seasoned leaders, united by a shared goal: advancing animal liberation. Over two days, attendees participated in 51 sessions led by 56 inspiring speakers, tackling topics ranging from campaign strategies to leadership development.

BUILDING ON MOMENTUM

From a promising new event into a growing movement-wide gathering, bringing together 390 advocates — a 50% increase. With 67 sessions, 60 expert speakers and 19 organisations represented, the conference created more space for learning, collaboration and strategic alignment. The response showed that this momentum was translating into action: 88% of attendees built or deepened meaningful connections, 78% committed to taking action as a direct result, and 50% had already begun new collaborations within six weeks.

2025

88%

of 2025 attendees built or deepened meaningful connections

78%

of 2025 attendees committed to taking action as a direct result

50%

of 2025 attendees had already begun new collaborations within six weeks

In 2026, we brought together 421 people from 54 organisations across 74 sessions. VARC expanded by launching our first bolt-on event, Movement Builders' Day, giving 68 leaders and experienced advocates from funded organisations direct access to experts. Organisations were encouraged to run satellite events around the conference dates, while our Online Resource Hub on YouTube - now hosting 141 talks, workshops and discussions, 43 of them filmed in 2026 - makes these learnings permanently accessible to advocates anywhere in the world.

2026

THE MOVEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE

53%

were first time attendees in 2026

97%

of 2026 attendees gained new knowledge or insights

94%

of 2026 attendees likely to take new action for animals

In 2027, VARC will take the solid infrastructure and strong relationships we've fostered in the movement to a whole new level. In addition to the main conference, Movement Builder's Day and Open Programme of events in the run up to VARC week to attract influential stakeholders such as politicians, journalists, academics who many not attend the main conference. VARC will be the catalyst for professionalising and legitimising the animal movement.

SCALING THE MOVEMENT

2027

Conference Values

OUR VALUES

CARE

We care deeply for the animals and our movement. We lead with compassion and believe in working together, despite our differences, to create a more just world for all.

PROGRESS

We embrace learning, growth and taking action; this is key to strengthening our movement.

COLLABORATION

Unity and cooperation makes us powerful. We value the health of the whole, bringing together diverse perspectives and strategies to ignite change.

Meet The Team

MEET THE TEAM

Anett

Smorowinska

Conference Co-odinator

Lysette
Bell

Conference Co-odinator

Esther
Salomon

Strategy Advisor

Liz
Flynn

Founder & Executive Director

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE

We’re grateful to work with committee members who bring a wide range of experience from across the movement. Their contributions help us understand what different parts of the sector need from VARC — whether that’s guidance on conference direction, insight into emerging issues, or careful review of talk applications.

Advisory committee