Grantee-Partners Map
In the 10 years since our launch in 2012, Red Umbrella Fund has given 279 grants to 180 organisations in 68 countries. Every year we share our list of grants including the names of the grantee-partner organisations that request to be published on our website. Organisations that wish to stay anonymous do not have their name or country publicly available. Please contact us if you would like to contact any of our former-grantees or discuss their work.
In 2022 Red Umbrella Fund’s PAC awarded €1,300,000 – our first time giving more than a million in a single year – bringing total grants to €7,886,500!
| Organisation Name | Country | Region | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
Africa Sex Worker Alliance
Africa Sex Worker AllianceKenya international English This sex worker-led African regional network was created in 2009 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya. The Africa Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA) has sex worker-led organisations as members in 35 African countries. The network amplifies the voices of their sex worker members and advocates for the health and human rights of the diverse community of sex workers working and living in Africa. ASWA intends to use its grant to continue its advocacy in the region and continue to strengthen itself as a network. Learn more
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Kenya | Africa | 2022 |
African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)
African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)Regional Network - Kenya Based International English This sex worker-led African regional network was created in 2009 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya. The Africa Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA) has more than 70 sex worker-led organisations as members in 33 African countries. The network amplifies the voices of their sex worker members and advocates for the health and human rights of the diverse community of sex workers working and living in Africa. ASWA intends to use its grant to create a capacity scan to be used in modelling future trainings for sex worker-led organisations in 5 African countries. Learn more
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Regional Network - Kenya Based | Africa | 2020 |
African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)
African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)Regional Network - Kenya Based International English This regional network unites sex worker groups from 11 countries and seeks to expand its membership to include all countries on the African continent. It provides strategic advice, networking opportunities, capacity-building tools and financial support to local sex workers’ groups that work to improve their access to health services and labour rights. Its membership includes groups working with women, men and trans sex workers. ASWA represents sex workers’ interest in regional and international processes and platforms. Learn more
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Regional Network - Kenya Based | Africa | 2013 |
Alcondoms Cameroun
Alcondoms CamerounCameroon Local, National French Alcondoms was established in 2012 in response to the harmful legal and policy environment for sex workers in Cameroon. This sex worker-led group promotes the human and labour rights of sex workers and works to increase sex workers’ access to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, STI and tuberculosis screening, and counselling services. Alcondoms is located in the outskirts of Douala and directly serves the high concentration of sex workers in the area, which are often not reached by other local and national service providers. Learn more
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Cameroon | Africa | 2017 |
Alcondoms Cameroun
Alcondoms CamerounCameroon Local, National French This group provides health and HIV services to sex workers of all genders. Alcondoms organises workshops for law enforcement, health care providers and others to promote respect for sex workers’ rights, and to address stigma and violence. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will enable the group to develop advocacy material such as a documentary about the experiences of sex workers in Cameroon. Learn more
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Cameroon | Africa | 2015 |
ANSWER Detroit
ANSWER DetroitUnited States Local English This sex worker-led justice collective believes in the right of all people to choose to do sex work on their own terms. As such, this collective’s work focuses on power building and political education, advocacy, harm reduction and media and culture amongst others. Learn more
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United States | North America/Caribbean | 2021 |
Association New Way+
Association New Way+Cameroon Local French This organisation is run by and for sex workers on the outskirts of Douala, Cameroon. Association New Way+ works to increase access to quality health care, including HIV services, for women sex workers. Working primarily at the local level, New Way+ works to mobilise sex workers to stand up against stigma and discrimination and provides information, condoms, HIV services, and referrals. The group coordinates home visits and nutitional support to people living with HIV.
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Cameroon | Africa | 2016 |
Bar Hostess Empowerment & Support Programme (BHESP)
Bar Hostess Empowerment & Support Programme (BHESP)Kenya Local, National English This Kenyan national sex worker-led organisation was created in 1998. BHESP runs three community-led clinics providing free and comprehensive health and legal services to sex workers. The group successfully reaches street sex workers who are considered particularly vulnerable. This organisation identifies county laws oppressing sex workers across Kenya and repeals them through legal actions, demonstrations, media campaigns and petitions. BHESP works closely with other sex worker groups in the country and region. Learn more
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Kenya | Africa | 2018 |
Hommes pour les Droits et la Santé Sexuelle (HODSAS)
Hommes pour les Droits et la Santé Sexuelle (HODSAS)Democratic Republic of the Congo National French HODSAS is an organisation for sex workers operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. HODSAS supports its members in managing their health. With this grant, HODSAS will organise trainings on sexual health and rights, distribute sanitary pads and organise radio shows on sexual health and rights and family planning in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Learn more
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Democratic Republic of the Congo | Africa | 2021 |
Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA)
Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA)Kenya National English This national network of sex workers works with and connects 35 sex worker-led organisations in Kenya to improve their skills and knowledge on topics such as organisational development, fundraising and human rights policy advocacy. KESWA organises campaigns to influence law and policy makers at national level to decriminalise sex work and improve living and working conditions for sex workers and end the high levels of violence against sex workers. Learn more
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Kenya | Africa | 2014 |
Legalife Ukraine
Legalife UkraineUkraine Local, National Russian Formerly known as Legalife Kirovograd Branch, this organisation mobilises sex workers and allies in different parts of the country with the aim to protect and promote sex workers’ health and human rights. Legalife Ukraine works to end gender-based violence, organises self-support groups of sex workers, and provides free legal support to sex workers through a free hotline (phone line). The group works to improve sex workers’ access to sexual and reproductive health services, including HIV prevention, testing and treatment services. Legalife works at local and national levels and is well connected internationally. Learn more
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Ukraine | Europe | 2016 |
Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project
Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action ProjectCanada Local, National English This organisation supports sex workers in Toronto to live and work in safety and with dignity through education on safer sex and drug use. Maggie’s provides drop-in spaces, counselling and referrals to health and social services. The Red Umbrella Fund grant supports its efforts to reach out particularly to and address the needs and rights of sex workers from indigenous communities through hosting dedicated drumming groups and talking circles. Learn more
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Canada | North America/Caribbean | 2014 |
Mahila Sahayogi Samuha (MSS)
Mahila Sahayogi Samuha (MSS)Nepal Local English This local self-led organisation in the east of the country was set up in 2008 to address the specific needs of female sex workers. The group includes sex workers living with HIV and people who use drugs and the majority of its more than 300 members are illiterate. MSS works to build sex workers’ understanding of human rights. The group is connected to other sex worker groups and allies and reaches out to the local government to end stigma and violence against sex workers and increase the recognition of sex work as work among service providers and government.
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Nepal | Asia/Pacific | 2019 |
Parapli Rouz
Parapli RouzMauritius National English This group of sex workers is active in Port Louis, Mauritius. The group unites sex workers of diverse ethnic background and includes those living with HIV and those that use drugs. Parapli Rouz conducts outreach with sex workers on HIV prevention, and mobilises them to challenge stigma and police violence. Learn more
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Mauritius | Africa | 2015 |
Philadelphia Red Umbrella Alliance (PhillyRUA)
Philadelphia Red Umbrella Alliance (PhillyRUA)United States Local English Philadelphia Red Umbrella Alliancen was created in 2014 to promote sex workers’ rights through an intersectional lens in the city of Philadelphia in the United States of America. The organisation is dedicated to ending stigma and violence against sex workers through labour organising and advocacy. Learn more
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United States | North America/Caribbean | 2021 |
Plataforma Latinoamericana de Personas que Ejercen Trabajo Sexual (PLAPERTS)
Plataforma Latinoamericana de Personas que Ejercen Trabajo Sexual (PLAPERTS)Regional Network - Ecuador Based Local, Subnational, National, International Spanish Sex work is criminalised in most Latin American countries and some countries implement restrictive legal systems. As a regional network, PLAPERTS unites sex worker-led organisations working with sex workers of all genders in 11 Latin American countries. Formed in Peru in 2013, the regional network is now based in Ecuador. The network is a space to share information and provides capacity building to its members as well as advocates for the fulfilment of sex workers’ human rights. With this grant, the network will implement a virtual training on social protection and carry out campaigns demystifying sex work and promoting the recognition of sex work as work in the Latin American context. Learn more
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Regional Network - Ecuador Based | Latin America | 2020 |
Projet LUNE
Projet LUNECanada Local French This organisation of sex workers operates in the city of Quebec. The group reaches mostly women sex workers who use drugs and those working on the streets with practical support and advice, including peer-led trainings about condom use, accessing health services, self-defence, and human rights. Through their journal ‘Les voix de la RuELLES’ (The Voice of the Streets) sex workers are able to speak out and share their experiences and demands. Learn more
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Canada | North America/Caribbean | 2013 |
Red Umbrella Project (RedUP)
Red Umbrella Project (RedUP)United States Local, Subnational English This New York-based group organises theatre, storytelling and memoir writing programmes in which sex workers of all genders share experiences with a wide audience to reduce stigma and fight discrimination. The group campaigns for improvements in legislation, such as the ‘No Condoms as Evidence’ campaign, which aims to ban the use of condoms as evidence of prostitution-related offenses. The group builds the leadership skills and capacity of sex workers through trainings that enable them to run their own advocacy campaigns. Learn more
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United States | North America/Caribbean | 2013 |
SafeSpace London
SafeSpace LondonCanada Local English This community drop-in centre is run by and for women – including trans – and non-binary sex workers and allies. SafeSpace focuses on improving the living conditions of sex workers in their community. The group provides harm reduction supplies, hygiene products, educational resources and peer support. Through their ‘Not Your Rescue Project’ theatre production, SafeSpace educates students at colleges and universities about sex workers’ human rights. At national level, the group participates in the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform. Learn more
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Canada | North America/Caribbean | 2019 |
SafeSpace London
SafeSpace LondonCanada local English SafeSpace is a drop-in centre and community collective operated for, by and with sex workers (past and present), allies, and women and gender-nonconforming individuals in London, Canada. Through its work, SafeSpace supports sex workers by fostering relationships of trust, transparency, and empowerment, and mitigating the impacts of criminalisation, discrimination, violence and stigma in the lives of sex workers. The group provides harm reduction supplies, hygiene products, educational resources and peer support. Learn more
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Canada | North America/Caribbean | 2022 |
Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)
Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)Regional Network - Hungary Based International English This network unites sex worker-led organisations and their allies in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The network works to create societies where sex work is decriminalised and empowered sex workers can live free from violence, stigma and discrimination. SWAN provides capacity building to sex worker-led groups to advocate for their rights, support community mobilisation efforts and provides a space for its members to share resources and experiences. Learn more
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Regional Network - Hungary Based | Europe | 2020 |
Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)
Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)Regional Network - Hungary Based International English This regional network unites sex workers of all genders and their allies from 18 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. SWAN provides a joint advocacy platform for the voices of sex workers in regional and national debates on health, labour rights and safety for sex workers. The network exposes violence against sex workers. Through training and a mentorship programme, SWAN builds the capacity of sex workers to effectively use available tools and resources in their community mobilisation and advocacy efforts. Learn more
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Regional Network - Hungary Based | Europe | 2018 |
Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)
Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)Regional Network - Hungary Based International English Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN) is a regional network that unites sex workers and their allies from 18 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It provides a joint advocacy platform for sex workers’ voices in regional and national debates on health, labour rights, and safety for sex workers of all genders and exposes violence against sex workers. Through training and a mentorship programme, SWAN builds capacity of sex workers to use available tools and resources in their community mobilisation and advocacy efforts. Learn more
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Regional Network - Hungary Based | Europe | 2016 |
Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)
Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)Regional Network - Hungary Based International English This regional network unites sex workers and their allies from 18 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the struggle to promote the human rights and improve the quality of life of sex workers. It provides a joint advocacy platform for sex workers’ voices in regional and national debates on health, labour rights, and safety for sex workers of all genders and exposes violence against sex workers. Learn more
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Regional Network - Hungary Based | Europe | 2013 |
Silver Rose
Silver RoseRussia Subnational, National Russian Silver Rose is a nation-wide peer support group of sex workers with representation in eight different cities across Russia. It provides health, psychological and legal services and support for sex workers. They advocate for the decriminalisation of sex work in Russia and the abolition of the administrative penalty on prostitution. Learn more
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Russia | Europe | 2014 |
Silver Rose
Silver RoseRussia Local Russian Supporting an expanding network of self-help initiatives throughout Russia, Silver Rose works with diverse groups of sex workers – including migrants, those who are HIV positive and those who engage in substance abuse – to advocate for changes in policies which marginalise sex workers. Silver Rose also uses peer support groups and legal volunteers to engage in strategic litigation. Learn more
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Russia | Europe | 2012 |
Syndicat du Travail Sexuel (STRASS)
Syndicat du Travail Sexuel (STRASS)France Local, National English This sex worker-led union advocates for the interests of sex workers from all sectors of the industry. The group carries out advocacy, legal and capacity building activities to fight against violence and exploitation in sex work in France. Learn more
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France | Europe | 2020 |
Syndicat du Travail Sexuel (STRASS)
Syndicat du Travail Sexuel (STRASS)France Local, National English This national union represents the interests of sex workers of all genders and backgrounds, and from all branches of the sex industry in France through public education, advocacy and strategic litigation. The group campaigns for the legal recognition of sex work as work, and counters discrimination and stigmatisation with the aim to create an environment of respect and inclusiveness towards sex workers. Self-organisation of sex workers is encouraged through the creation of local federations in different cities. Learn more
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France | Europe | 2013 |
Uganda Network of Sex Worker-Led Organisations (UNESO)
Uganda Network of Sex Worker-Led Organisations (UNESO)Uganda National English This network was established in 2015 to develop a common vision and mission among sex worker-led organisations across Uganda. It creates safe spaces where sex workers can convene in a country with high levels of violence against sex workers and LGBTQ people. UNESO maps sex worker organisations in rural areas and provides leadership, fundraising, and financial management training for sex workers. Learn more
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Uganda | Africa | 2021 |
Whose Corner Is It Anyway (WCIIA)
Whose Corner Is It Anyway (WCIIA)United States Local English This local weekly community initiative has been self-funded through a crowdfunding campaign since 2017. Members are current or former low income sex workers who either use drugs, have experienced homelessness, or have engaged in street-based work. WCIAA offers transportation assistance, a stipend, childcare, toiletry items, clothing, access to harm reduction supplies and bail emergency response. Meetings include workshops addressing members’ self-determined needs. Learn more
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United States | North America/Caribbean | 2019 |