Grantee-Partners Map

Anonymous

ANON

Anonymous

ANON

Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STAR

Macedonia

Local, Subnational

English

This sex workers’ rights organisation in Skopje mobilises sex workers from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, and working in different sectors of the sex work industry. The group campaigns against discrimination against sex workers, including men and trans* sex workers who face high levels of state harassment. To ensure that sex workers are visible and present in policy development and other decision-making spaces, STAR-STAR works closely with other civil society groups, including those working in the LGBTIQ, health and HIV sectors.

Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STAR

Macedonia

Local, Subnational, National

English

This self-led organisation promotes the human rights of sex workers and develops programmes that address their diverse needs in Macedonia. STAR-STAR mobilises sex workers from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds who are working in different sectors of the sex industry, ranging from brothels to border highways. The group organises advocacy trainings for sex workers, monitors political parties’ views on sex work, and works to influence relevant laws, policies and practices. STAR-STAR is expanding its network with two additional branches, Star-East and Star-West, to better reach sex workers across the country.

Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STAR

Macedonia

Local, Subnational, National

English

This sex worker-led organisation was the first sex workers’ collective in the Balkans and was legally registered in 2010. The group includes sex workers from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds to promote the human rights of all sex workers and address the diverse needs of sex workers. The group organises advocacy trainings for sex workers, monitors political parties’ views on sex work, and works to influence relevant laws, policies and practices.

Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STAR

Macedonia

local, national, international

English

Sex workers in North Macedonia are facing numerous of social and legal problems, which make the community a vulnerable population, susceptive to various human rights violations and drive sex workers to the margins of society. In this context, STAR-STAR Skopje widely known as STAR-The First Sex Workers Collective in the Balkans is a sex workers? community-led collective mobilizing the sex workers to advocate for law reform in partnership with relevant stakeholders to ultimately secure the respect of sex workers? human rights and freedoms.

Berufsverband Erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen e.V (BesD)

Germany

National

English

This group unites sex workers from all backgrounds and regions of Germany to organise and engage in the public debate around fair and dignified working conditions in sex work. Operating as a professional union, BesD not only amplifies the voices of sex workers in media, public debates and conversations with policymakers, but also fights for improved access to information, training and greater solidarity among the sex worker community.

Berufsverband Erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen e.V (BesD)

Germany

National

English

Berufsverband Erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen e.V (BesD) is a group that unites sex workers from all backgrounds and regions of Germany. The group engages in the public debate around fair and dignified working conditions in sex work. Operating as a professional union, BesD not only amplifies the voices of sex workers in media and with policymakers, but also fights for improved access to information, training and greater solidarity among the sex worker community.

Berufsverband Erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen e.V (BesD)

Germany

Local, National

English

This group unites sex workers from all backgrounds and regions of Germany to engage in the public debate around fair and dignified working conditions in the sex industry. Operating as a professional union, BesD amplifies the voices of sex workers in media, public debates and conversations with policymakers. The group provides information to sex workers and works to build greater solidarity among sex worker communities. In response to a recent law on mandatory registration for sex workers, the group is supporting migrant sex workers in Germany who are most affected by the change.

Colectivo de Prostitutas de Sevilla (CPS)

Spain

Local

Spanish

This self-led group of sex workers was created in 2017 to challenge the restrictive municipal law on sex work in the province of Seville. CPS gives presentations at universities and organises parties and demonstrations to raise awareness among the general public about the realities and needs of sex workers. With this grant, CPS is bringing together sex workers’ rights activists from across the country to foster solidarity and peer support and develop joint strategies to improve the human rights of sex workers in Spain.

European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA, former ICRSE)

Regional Network - Netherlands based

international

English

The European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA)’s membership comprises more than 100 organisations spread across the WHO Europe region. With their actions and approach inspired by their membership, ESWA works to build a strong, vibrant and sustainable network that mobilises national, regional and international advocacy activity that moves us towards long-term, systemic change.

European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA)

Regional Network - Belgium Based

National, International

English

This sex worker-led network has a membership of 105 organisations across 35 countries of Europe and Central Asia. At national level, ESWA supports sex workers’ self organisation though trainings, development of activities or strategic plan as well as submission to governmental consultations. At European level, ICRSE coordinates advocacy and campaigns and has been very active in building alliances with key European civil society networks across movements, and especially with migrants and LGBTI+ organisations.

Note: Prior to 2020 ESWA was known as International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE)

Initiative Group Dignity (Etibor)

Tajikistan

Local

English

Founded less than two years ago (2010), this self-led group works with sex workers of all genders and sexual orientations. Initiative Group Dignity operates a community centre for sex workers in Dushanbe, advocates against police violence, and offers support services to the children of sex workers.

International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE)

Regional Network - Belgium Based

International

English

This network of individuals and organisations in Europe and Central Asia campaigns against the criminalisation of sex work, and the conflation of sex work and human trafficking. It serves as a platform to share experiences and solidarity, and to create alliances between sex workers’ rights organisations and allies from other movements who support sex workers’ rights. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will enable the network to hire a coordinator to strengthen the network and develop strategies to influence the European Parliament.

Note: In 2020 ICRSE became European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA)

International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE)

Regional Network - Belgium Based

International

English

This sex worker-led network unites 170 organisations and individuals from 25 countries, increasing the visibility and influence of sex workers at the European level. ICRSE advocates against the criminalisation of sex work and conducts research and advocacy on rights violations against sex workers. The network is documenting the history of sex worker activism in Europe to mark the 10 year anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe in 2015.

Note: In 2020 ICRSE became European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA)

International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE)

Regional Network - Belgium Based

National, International

English

This sex worker-led network unites 85 organisations and 150 individuals from 30 countries with the aim to increase the visibility and influence of sex workers at the European level. ICRSE advocates against the criminalisation of sex work and conducts research and advocacy on rights violations against sex workers. The network organises training opportunities for sex workers on advocay and human rights and builds partnerships with other movements.

Note: In 2020 ICRSE became European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA)

International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE)

Regional Network - Belgium Based

National, International

English

This sex worker-led network unites 103 organisations from 32 countries in Europe and Central Asia with the aim to increase the visibility and influence of sex workers at the European level. ESWA advocates against the criminalisation of sex work, and conducts research and advocacy on rights violations against sex workers. The network organises training opportunities for sex workers on advocacy and human rights, and builds partnerships with other movements such as human rights, LGBT and migrant organisations.

Note: In 2020 ICRSE became European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA)

Kirovograd Regional Department All Ukrainian League “Legalife”, Ukraine

Ukraine

Local

Russian

This group is a regional branch of the national sex workers’ organisation All-Ukrainian League ‘Legalife’. Committed to unifying sex workers in the region to advocate for their human rights, the organisation uses peer education and support to build the capacities of individual sex workers. The group also documents cases of police violence against sex workers.

Legalife Ukraine

Ukraine

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.

Organización de Trabajadoras Sexuales (OTRAS)

Spain

National

Spanish

As a trade union, OTRAS works in Spain to defend the economic and labour rights of sex workers. Created in 2018, the organisation will use its grant to strengthen its communication and visibility as well as organising advocacy activities.

PROUD

Netherlands

Local, National

English

This recently created union works with sex workers from different sectors of the sex industry in the Netherlands to oppose criminalisation, stigma and discrimination against sex workers and improve their working conditions. PROUD builds capacity and leadership of sex workers of all genders and provides direct support and referrals, documents cases of human rights violations, reaches out to media, and advocates for the rights of sex workers in national and local legislation and policies.

Public Association Shah-Aiym

Kyrgyzstan

Subnational, National

Russian

This emerging network aims to strengthen the voice of sex workers in public and policy debates in Kyrgyzstan by uniting sex workers from across the country. The network documents and speaks out against police violence. It also works to ensure that the existing law – which decriminalises sex work – is not undermined by new policies and programmes which are aimed at ending sex trafficking, which often have a negative effect on the rights of sex workers.

Public Association Shah-Aiym

Regional Network - Kyrgyzstan Based

National, International

Russian

This network unites sex workers from across Kyrgyzstan and increasingly also from neighbouring countries to build peer support structures and amplify the voices of sex workers in public and policy debates. Shah-Aiym documents rights violations and builds capacity of sex workers on leadership, advocacy and safety and security. In Kyrgyzstan, Shah-Aiym aims to protect existing legislation that decriminalises sex work while speaking out against police violence against sex workers.

Public Association Shah-Aiym

Regional Network - Kyrgyzstan Based

National, International

Russian

This network unites sex workers from across Kyrgyzstan and neighbouring countries (mainly Tajikistan and Russia) to build peer support structures and amplify the voices of sex workers in public and policy debates. Shah-Aiym documents rights violations and builds the capacity of sex workers on leadership, advocacy, safety and security. In Kyrgyzstan, Shah-Aiym aims to protect existing legislation that decriminalises sex work while speaking out against police violence against sex workers. In Tajikistan, Shah Aiym builds the capacity of sex workers to enable the creation of an independent national organisation.

Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association (Red Umbrella Turkey – Kimizi Semsiye)

Turkey

Local, National

English

This group in Ankara documents violence and other human rights violations against sex workers and provides legal assistance to sex workers of all genders to seek justice. The data that is collected by the group is also used in public awareness raising activities targeting civil society, media and academia and in its lobbying with government officials to improve the legislation that affects sex workers in Turkey. The group also provides training for sex workers on human rights.

Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association (Red Umbrella Turkey – Kimizi Semsiye)

Turkey

Local, National

English

This group documents violence and other human rights violations against sex workers and provides legal assistance to sex workers of all genders. The group collects data that is used for its public awareness raising activities targeting civil society, media and academia and for lobbying with government officials to improve the legislation that affects sex workers in Turkey.

Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association (Red Umbrella Turkey – Kimizi Semsiye)

Turkey

Local, National

English

This organisation works locally and nationally to improve the human rights and wellbeing of sex workers in Turkey. Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association supports access to sexual health and prevention services for sex workers of all genders and increases visibility and awareness of human rights violations they experience. Red Umbrella monitors and documents violence against sex workers, collaborates with bar associations to train lawyers and provides legal services to sex workers. The group builds alliances with community groups, NGOs, service providers, the United Nations, academia and media to strengthen its lobby towards key decision makers to improve laws and practices that affect sex workers.

Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO

Armenia

National

English

This sex worker-led group founded in 2016 works to ensure the well-being, protection and equality of sex workers and trans people in Armenia. To do so, the group cooperates with national and international actors to work on socio-cultural and legal change.

Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO

Armenia

national

English

Right Side is a community based, democratic, human rights defender NGO, founded in January 2016 by transgender sex worker activists in Armenia. It is the first and only NGO run by and for trans people and sex workers in Armenia and in the South Caucasus. The organisation’s members are representatives of the sex worker community, including trans, cis and LGBQI sex workers. With their second grant from Red Umbrella Fund, the organisation aims to organise workshops, roundtables, cover some of their core costs and provide small grants to sex worker groups in the country.

SCOT-PEP

United Kingdom

National

English

Founded in 1989, this is the oldest organisation that is led by sex workers in Scotland. It campaigns for sex work to be recognised both socially and legally as work, and for sex workers’ voices to be included in public debates. SCOT-PEP lobbies the Scottish parliament for the decriminalisation of sex work and against the ‘Safer Lives, Changed Lives’ policy strategy which aims to eradicate violence against women and defines sex work as exploitation, irrespective of the opinion of the women involved.

Sex Work Polska

Poland

Local, Subnational, National

English

Formed in 2014, this organisation provides services to sex workers, networking opportunities and carries out advocacy activities. The organisation works with a particular focus on outreach and the legal environment and its impact on sex workers in Poland.

Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement (SWARM)

United Kingdom

National

English

This workers’ cooperative aims to strengthen the sex workers’ rights movement through organising community workshops and festivals, networking and collaboration. SWARM advocates for full decriminalisation of sex work through lobbying parliamentarians, amplifying sex workers’ voices in public debates, and speaking out in media. The cooperative actively campaigns against the recent rise in arrests, unlimited detention, and deportation of migrant sex workers in the UK who are being specifically targeted since the Brexit vote.

Sex Worker Open University (SWOU)

United Kingdom

Local

English

This collective brings together sex workers of all genders and sexual orientations, and works closely with sex workers who are migrants. SWOU organizes public events such as film festivals and public debates to educate people about stigma and violations of sex workers’ rights, and uses research to challenge people’s stereotypes about the sex work industry.

Sex Workers Intersectional Peer Education (SWIPE)

Italy

national

English

SWIPE was born in October 2020 to fill the need for an association that could work on a national level, for all sex workers and that could act as a public face at a country level. SWIPE (Sex worker Intersectional Peer Education) is a sex workers and allies association, created to support Italian sex workers’ rights, promote an inclusive culture and fight stigma, whorephobia and whorearchy. With this first grant from Red Umbrella Fund, the organisation aims to organise workshops, a podcast, manage its website and social media platforms and continue strengthening its structures.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)

Regional Network - Hungary based

local, national, international

English

Working in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, SWAN was initiated with a goal to unite sex workers’ projects across the region, which in 2006 were isolated, invisible and with little influence, into one regional platform which mobilises, strengthens and amplifies the voices of sex workers. SWAN currently unites 27 member organisations from 20 countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. SWAN has been supported by Red Umbrella Fund since 2013 and aims with this grant to continue building the movement in the region, develop information and learning resources, organise Management Committee meetings and cover some of its core costs.

Silver Rose

Russia

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.