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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Adarsha
AdarshaIndia Local English This organisation aims to increase social acceptance for men and transwomen sex workers and to secure their fundamental rights as citizens of India. Adarsha works primarily at the local level and contributes to national and international advocacy efforts. The group supports sex workers to access health and general social services through peer outreach work and referrals and builds sex workers’ leadership skills.
|
India | Asia/Pacific | 2016 |
Adarsha
AdarshaIndia National English This organisation works to increase social acceptance for men and transwomen sex workers in India, and to secure their fundamental rights as citizens. Adarsha is active at the local level in Mysore and other districts in the state of Karnataka, and contributes to national advocacy efforts. The group supports sex workers to access health and general social services through peer outreach work and referrals, and builds sex workers’ leadership skills. Adarsha mobilises sex workers and allies to improve laws, policies and practices around sex work, homosexuality and gender identity.
|
India | Asia/Pacific | 2018 |
Adarsha
AdarshaIndia Local English This community-led organisation of male and trans* sex workers supports sex workers to access health services, social housing schemes, an identity card and other social services. The group mobilizes sex workers and allies to improve laws, policies and practices around sex work, homosexuality, and gender identity.
|
India | Asia/Pacific | 2014 |
Adarsha
AdarshaIndia Local English Established less than three years ago in 2009, this organization advocates for the rights of sex workers who are men and trans, working to reduce stigma and building alliances with human rights organisations. Adarsha supports sex workers to access health care and other social services.
|
India | Asia/Pacific | 2012 |
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
|
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
|
Regional Network - Kenya Based | Africa | 2020 |
Ashraya
AshrayaIndia Local, Subnational English This community-based organisation in the Indian state of Karnataka was created in 2007 to address the specific needs of sex workers living with HIV. Ashraya provides a safe space for sex workers living with HIV to connect, access health and social services, and benefit from alternative income generating activities and other economic empowerment services. The group works with sex workers of all genders. Ashraya amplifies the voices of sex workers living with HIV in decision-making spaces and campaigns for legal reforms in India to improve the human rights of sex workers living with HIV.
|
India | Asia/Pacific | 2017 |
Ashraya
AshrayaIndia Local, Subnational English This organisation was established in 2007 to support and represent sex workers living with HIV in India. Most of its members and activities are in the state of Karnataka. The group builds human rights awareness among its community and works with sex workers, health care providers and government officials to improve sex workers’ access to HIV and other health and social services. Ashraya works with the Ministry of Women and Child Development to improve access to housing and income supplements.
|
India | Asia/Pacific | 2019 |
Association Biowa
Association BiowaBenin Local French This is a new organisation which aims to mobilise and educate women sex workers in urban and rural areas of Benin, using peer learning and outreach to other sex workers as a key strategy. The organisation advocates for improved access to health care and for the decriminalisation of sex work.
|
Benin | Africa | 2012 |
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.
|
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
|
Kenya | Africa | 2018 |
Bar Hostess Empowerment & Support Programme (BHESP)
Bar Hostess Empowerment & Support Programme (BHESP)Kenya Local English BHESP was created in 1998 and runs 3 clinics in Nairobi providing health and legal services to Kenyan women sex workers. In 2020, the organisation had reached more than 20,000 individuals. To reach its aim of providing quality services to sex workers, BHESP works with over 180 sex worker peer educators. BHESP was instrumental in the creation of the Kenya Sex Workers Alliance. Learn more
|
Kenya | Africa | 2020 |
Community Health Rights Advocacy (CHeRA)
Community Health Rights Advocacy (CHeRA)Malawi Local, National English This young community network advocates for the rights of male sex workers in Malawi, who face a double stigma related to homosexuality and sex work. It conducts outreach throughout the country to expand its reach. CHeRA is building a network of friendly health-care providers by training health workers in five districts of Malawi on the health needs and rights of sex workers. Learn more
|
Malawi | Africa | 2018 |
Community-based organization G3VN
Community-based organization G3VNVietnam Local English G3VN works in the Southern provinces of Vietnam to empower transgender women sex workers and advocates for their access to friendly and gender-sensitive services. The group conducts research, trainings for healthcare providers and community mobilisation activities and supports the trans and intersex community in the Ho Chi Minh City region through outreach. Learn more
|
Vietnam | Asia/Pacific | 2020 |
Hoa Co May CBO
Hoa Co May CBOVietnam local English Hoa Co May Group works to improve the quality of life of sex workers and people living with HIV+ in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. With this first grant from Red Umbrella Fund, the organisation aims to cover some of its core costs and support sex workers’ access to screening for sexually transmitted infections and treatment as well as access to health insurance.
|
Vietnam | Asia/Pacific | 2022 |
Jagriti Mahila Mahasangha (JMM)
Jagriti Mahila Mahasangha (JMM)Nepal Local, Subnational, National English This network unites 27 community-based organisations of women sex workers in 22 districts of Nepal. JMMS raises awareness among sex workers about HIV and works to end violence against sex workers perpetrated by police, institutions, clients and intimate partners. The network provides legal counselling to sex workers and supports them with filing complaints with the police. At the national level, JMMS engages in CEDAW reporting processes and advocates against laws and policies that discriminate against sex workers and criminalise them.
|
Nepal | Asia/Pacific | 2018 |
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.
|
Nepal | Asia/Pacific | 2019 |
Pacific Rainbow Advocacy Network (PRAN)
Pacific Rainbow Advocacy Network (PRAN)Fiji Local English This sex workers’ organisation operates in Lautoka, a popular tourist destination in western Fiji. Committed to advocating for the rights of all sex workers, the group organises safe space meetings and mobilises sex workers using peer education. PRAN builds relationships with NGOs, government ministries and UN agencies to campaign for legal and policy reform.
|
Fiji | Asia/Pacific | 2012 |
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
|
Mauritius | Africa | 2015 |
Parapli Rouz
Parapli RouzMauritius National English This community-led group advocates for the recognition of sex work as work in Mauritius. At the local level, the group works to strengthen the capacity of sex workers through educational workshops on health, economic development, human rights rights and advocacy skills. Nationally, Parapli Rouz organises regular community gatherings, bringing together sex workers from different regions of the country to share experiences and strengthen cooperation. The group plans to use the grant to expand its emergency support to sex workers by setting up a phone hotline. Learn more
|
Mauritius | Africa | 2017 |
Petubuhan Advokasi Masayrakat Terpinggir (PAMT)
Petubuhan Advokasi Masayrakat Terpinggir (PAMT)Malaysia Local, Subnational, National English Established in 2011, this organisation supports sex workers’ access to health care through peer education, condom distribution and referrals to health and social services. The group supports sex workers in setting up their own support groups, and aims to improve the living and working conditions of sex workers in the country. With the Red Umbrella Fund grant, PAMT will set up a crisis response team to support sex workers who face violence, exploitation, and arrest.
|
Malaysia | Asia/Pacific | 2013 |
Pilot Mathambo Centre for Men’s Health
Pilot Mathambo Centre for Men’s HealthBotswana Subnational English This group of men sex workers works to improve sex workers’ access to adequate health care services, especially with regard to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, management of other sexually transmitted infections, and psychosocial support. PMCMH regularly contributes to research among sex workers and advocates for decriminalizing sex work decriminalisation nationally level. The group provides workshops for men sex workers to enhance their safer sex negotiation and financial management skills and increase their safety and security.
|
Botswana | Africa | 2017 |
Sex Work; Education, Advocacy & Rights Western Australia (SWEAR-WA)
Sex Work; Education, Advocacy & Rights Western Australia (SWEAR-WA)Australia local English Sex Work; Education, Advocacy & Rights Western Australia provides peer support and referrals, trains healthcare providers and hosts peer-only special events besides lobbying for legislative change around sex work in Western Australia. With the support from Red Umbrella Fund, the organisation aims to create a handbook for sex workers covering topics such as: the state sex work legislation explained in simple language, how to work safely, tips and tricks from other West Australian sex workers, information for touring workers, and information on where to get support. Learn more
|
Australia | Asia/Pacific | 2022 |
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. By arranging meetings with government officials, UNESO works to ensure national policies align with the UN campaign to “Leave No One Behind”. Learn more
|
Uganda | Africa | 2019 |
UMANDE
UMANDEDemocratic Republic of the Congo Local French Created in 2010, UMANDE works through solidarity committees gathering information from different provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and organises capacity building and advocacy activities. With this grant, UMANDE will organise trainings on financial skills for sex workers, support sex workers living with HIV in continuing their treatment and develop materials to increase sex worker visibility. Learn more
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo | Africa | 2020 |
Vietnam Network of Sex Workers (VNSW)
Vietnam Network of Sex Workers (VNSW)Vietnam National English This national network unites sex workers who are organised in peer support groups in 25 cities and provinces of Vietnam. Vietnam Network of Sex Workers (VNSW) aims to represent the voice of sex workers at national level to improve laws, policies, and practices that impact on sex workers’ lives. The network builds capacity of women and men sex workers in the area of HIV harm reduction, community work, management, and advocacy through trainings and mentoring. Learn more
|
Vietnam | Asia/Pacific | 2016 |
Vietnam Network of Sex Workers (VNSW)
Vietnam Network of Sex Workers (VNSW)Vietnam Local, National English This network unites female sex workers who are organised in peer support groups in 16 provinces. It aims to represent the voice of sex workers at national level to improve laws, policies, and practices that impact on sex workers’ lives. Sex workers benefit from the trainings in computer, fundraising and management skills organised by the network. Established in 2012, the network is developing its first strategic plan with support from the Red Umbrella Fund. Learn more
|
Vietnam | Asia/Pacific | 2013 |
Women Leadership Initiative Centre
Women Leadership Initiative CentreLao People's Democratic Republic National English In a context where sex work is regarded as a criminal activity that can be subjected to severe prosecutions, this sex worker-led organisation working in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic aims to establish a national socio-political and economic environment in which sex workers’ voices and priorities are duly valued.
|
Lao People's Democratic Republic | Asia/Pacific | 2021 |
Women of Power Initiative (WOPI)
Women of Power Initiative (WOPI)Nigeria Local English This emerging group of sex workers includes many migrants in the capital city of Lagos. WOPI runs a nightly outreach programme, offering HIV testing and counselling services. The group also trains sex workers in leadership skills and builds their knowledge on sexual and human rights advocacy as a strategy to counter violence and abuse.
|
Nigeria | Africa | 2013 |
Women’s Network for Unity (WNU)
Women’s Network for Unity (WNU)Cambodia Local, Subnational English This sex workers’ collective documents rights violations as part of its campaigns for changing legislation and policy so that the human rights of sex workers can be protected. Through the Community Legal Service, WNU offers direct legal assistance to sex workers including counselling, legal advice, and representation.
|
Cambodia | Asia/Pacific | 2012 |