How can a small charity make a meaningful impact on the entrenched, complex system of animal use in medical research?

Carla Owen and Nicola Reeves of Animal Free Research UK describe their charity’s shift from traditional grant-making towards a systems-thinking approach to ending animal testing. Recognizing a limited impact after decades of funding, the organization adopted tools such as SSM, VSM, and Patterns of Strategy to reframe its role—moving from simply funding research to convening networks, restructuring internally, and launching the Centre for Human Specific Research. Despite challenges with governance, staff uncertainty, and slow change, the charity has influenced government policy and strengthened its capacity to act as a catalyst for systemic change.