In 2026 NOC offered 40 sessions — 7000 hours of engaged participative learning, together with open spaces where participants proposed their own sessions. Participants were trade unionists, community organisers, migrant workers, not for profits, academics and funders.
The conference theme was unions and communities working together. Several sessions dealt with the challenge of the far right. There were case studies of successful organising, organising strategies and tools, and personal reflections on organising. For the first time there was a focus on housing justice. Organisers from Ukraine and Serbia shared their expertise.
Regional events
In early 2026, through collaboration with TUC Midlands, we took mini versions of the Conference, NOC on the Road, to Nottingham and Birmingham
Here’s what participants said and did:
— Learn
“Excellent, it was great to network with other people and see what they are getting up to. I have taken away several ideas from the organising and war gaming sessions which I am already using in our union's efforts to organise my workplace”
“We learned more about how to organise locally, plus networking with activists who can help our causes”
“Dispersed worker organising was useful to apply to all organising of dispersed sectors including private tenants”
“Seasonal worker session - super informative”
— Get inspired
“Another year of new connections, new ideas and new projects that will shape our year”
“Motivating, inspiring, hopeful chats, commiserations and dreams of plans together”
“Different people to other political education conferences - really nice to see new faces”
“I feel energised to carry on with my activism - will use Power Mapping”
“Better use of data and ads - renewed morale and tactics for care home organising - change to organisation structure”
“Join UTAW! Talk to the people in it. Form strong ties with other unions. Change how I communicate online. Get out of my bubble.” Rob IWGB
“Continue recruiting and work towards access in our workplace as part of recognition.”
— Collaborate
Numerous impactful collaborations have come out of the New Organising Conference, including:
The Work Rights Centre training members of SALT (Solidarity Across Land Trades) in employment law as it affects migrant workers.
Violation Tracker working with Migrants Organise and others to expose poor performance of the Clearsprings housing contractor.
The Workers Observatory working with the Union of Tech and Allied Workers, IWGB, the Worker Support Centre, Work Rights Centre, Migrant Justice Edinburgh and Cat’s Cradle, on three workbooks which will be launched at NOC 2026.
“Volunteering with Movement Research Unit, visiting Oxford community research group, collaborating with local collectives in London”
“Connect local community organising with local union branches”
“Yes! New contacts for existing work and I’ll be reaching out to an organisation that has inspired me, offering to support their work”