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 |
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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.
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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.
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India | Asia/Pacific | 2019 |
Asociación Civil CAMBIO Y ACCION
Asociación Civil CAMBIO Y ACCIONPeru Local, Subnational, National Spanish Working mainly with men sex workers, Asociación Civil Cambio y Accion aims to eradicate violence, stigma and discrimination and achieve the recognition of sex work as work. Amongst others, the organisation will use its grant from Red Umbrella Fund to mark International Sex Workers’ Days and to strengthen itself. Learn more
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Peru | Latin America | 2021 |
Asociacion de las Prostitutas del Estado de Piaui (APROSPI)
Asociacion de las Prostitutas del Estado de Piaui (APROSPI)Brazil Local, Subnational English This self-led group of women sex workers was created in 2008 to advocate for sex workers’ rights and work together with other social justice movements amongst others. With the grant from Red Umbrella Fund, the organisation will work on a documentary to raise the visibility of the realities faced by sex workers in the state of Piauí, Brazil.
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Brazil | Latin America | 2021 |
Asociación de Mujeres Meretrices de la República Argentina (AMMAR) (AMMAR)
Asociación de Mujeres Meretrices de la República Argentina (AMMAR) (AMMAR)Argentina Subnational, National Spanish This national network advocates at the national level for the regulation of sex work in Argentina and through its provincial branches across the country. It has been active for more that 20 years and is recognised as a strong, political and influential organization that campaigns with high reach among the community and general society. AMMAR is a founding member of Redtrasex, the Latin American and Caribbean Female Sex Workers Network. Learn more
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Argentina | Latin America | 2015 |
Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STAR
Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STARMacedonia 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. Learn more
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Macedonia | Europe | 2015 |
Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STAR
Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STARMacedonia 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. Learn more
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Macedonia | Europe | 2017 |
Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STAR
Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STARMacedonia 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. Learn more
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Macedonia | Europe | 2020 |
Best Practices Policy Project (BPPP)
Best Practices Policy Project (BPPP)United States Local, Subnational, National English Best Practices Policy Project (BPPP) is an advocacy organisation led by sex workers and dedicated to supporting sex workers’ rights across the United States. BPPP produces materials for use in policy advocacy, addresses research and academic questions, provides organisations and advocates with technical assistance and engages in rights-based campaigns for sex worker’s rights. Learn more
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United States | North America/Caribbean | 2016 |
Centro de Informacion para la Prevencion, Movilizacion y Asesoramiento (CIPMAC)
Centro de Informacion para la Prevencion, Movilizacion y Asesoramiento (CIPMAC)Brazil Local, Subnational Spanish This sex worker-led group in the State of Paraiba in in the north-east of Brazil was set up in 1987. CIPMAC speaks out on the right to self-organize, sex workers’ rights and social justice. With this grant the group will organise workshops on human rights, organise webinars, strengthen its organisation and produce communication materials.
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Brazil | Latin America | 2021 |
Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la Mujer
Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la MujerChile Local, Subnational, National Spanish This group promotes the sexual and reproductive health and human rights of women sex workers in Chile. The group reaches around 2000 sex workers across the country through condom distribution, peer education on HIV and human rights, accompaniment of sex workers to health centres and by organising informative workshops. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will enable the group to expand its efforts to build leadership and advocacy skills of sex workers in different parts of the country. Learn more
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Chile | Latin America | 2014 |
Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la Mujer
Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la MujerChile Local, Subnational, National Spanish Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la Mujer is a group that promotes sexual and reproductive health and human rights of women sex workers in Chile. The group reaches around 2,000 sex workers, including many migrant women, across the country through condom distribution, peer education on HIV and human rights, accompaniment of sex workers to health centres and by organising informative workshops. The Red Umbrella Fund grant is enabling the group to expand its efforts to build leadership and advocacy skills of sex workers in different parts of the country. Learn more
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Chile | Latin America | 2016 |
Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la Mujer
Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la MujerChile Local, Subnational, National Spanish This group promotes the sexual and reproductive health and human rights of women sex workers in Chile. Fundación Margen reaches around 2000 sex workers across the country, including many migrant women, by distributing condoms, providing peer education on HIV and human rights, offering accompaniment of sex workers to health centres, and organising informative community workshops. The Red Umbrella Fund grant supports the group to expand its efforts to build local leadership and advocacy skills of sex workers in different parts of the country. Learn more
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Chile | Latin America | 2018 |
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.
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Nepal | Asia/Pacific | 2018 |
New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance (NJRUA)
New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance (NJRUA)United States Local, Subnational, National English This group amplifies the voices of a diversity of sex workers through media, storytelling, peer-led trainings and creative advocacy programmes, with the aim of reducing stigma, promoting human rights, increasing access to justice and personal development. Learn more
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United States | North America/Caribbean | 2015 |
New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance (NJRUA)
New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance (NJRUA)United States Local, Subnational English This alliance of sex worker activists promotes the human rights of sex workers living and working in New Jersey. In the context of rising criminalisation, NJRUA provides community support and campaigns for better policies. The group conducts outreach to street sex workers and organises community activities in various cities throughout the state of New Jersey, informing sex workers about their rights, distributing condoms and expanding its network among sex workers. Learn more
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United States | North America/Caribbean | 2018 |
Ohotu Diamond Women Initiative (Ohotu former WOPI)
Ohotu Diamond Women Initiative (Ohotu former WOPI)Nigeria Local, Subnational, National English This sex worker-led organisation in Lagos advocates for the human and labour rights of sex workers of all genders, sexual identities and backgrounds. The group trains sex workers on human rights and builds partnerships with local authorities to prevent and address violence against sex workers. ODWI plans to use the grant to run a media campaign to address stigma against sex workers and set up a crisis centre to respond to human rights abuses and support sex workers who have experienced violence. Learn more
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Nigeria | Africa | 2017 |
Ohotu Diamond Women Initiative (Ohotu formerly WOPI)
Ohotu Diamond Women Initiative (Ohotu formerly WOPI)Nigeria Local, Subnational, National English WOPI is the only visible, self-led group of sex workers in Nigeria. The organisation supports female sex workers mobilizing for their rights in the capital Lagos and organizes rallies and media campaigns for decriminalisation. They have been expanding their activities to other parts of the country and are increasing their influence at national level where they advocate for longer-term improvement of sex workers’ living and working condition and the recognition of their human rights. Learn more
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Nigeria | Africa | 2014 |
Plataforma Latinoamericana de Personas que Ejercen Trabajo Sexual (PLAPERTS)
Plataforma Latinoamericana de Personas que Ejercen Trabajo Sexual (PLAPERTS)Regional Network - Ecuador Based Subnational, National, International Spanish This regional network, created in 2013 and based in Ecuador, unites 28 member organisations of sex workers of all genders in seven countries of Latin America. PLAPERTS offers trainings to its members to develop strategies and conduct political advocacy for the recognition of the labour and other human rights of sex workers. PLAPERTS reinforces local leadership and shares tools among its members to denounce the violations of sex workers’ rights in the challenging context of rising conservatism and violence in Latin America. Learn more
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Regional Network - Ecuador Based | Latin America | 2018 |
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 |
Public Association Shah-Aiym
Public Association Shah-AiymKyrgyzstan 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.
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Kyrgyzstan | Europe | 2013 |
Red de Mujeres Unidas por Nuestros Derechos (REDMUDE)
Red de Mujeres Unidas por Nuestros Derechos (REDMUDE)Honduras Local, Subnational, National Spanish Red de Mujeres Unidas por Nuestros Derechos works in Honduras to promote the health and rights of sex workers. To do so, the organisation has coordinated actions with health and justice workers and aims to use its grant from Red Umbrella Fund to continue this work, furhter build the capacity of sex workers to carry out this project, and map relevant organisations. Learn more
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Honduras | Latin America | 2021 |
Red por el Reconocimiento de lxs Trabajadorxs Sexuales (RxRTS)
Red por el Reconocimiento de lxs Trabajadorxs Sexuales (RxRTS)Argentina Local, Subnational, National Spanish Red por el Reconocimiento de lxs Trabajadorxs Sexuales’s mission is to promote new strategies throughout Argentina to demand and develop public policies for the protection of sex workers’ rights. Formed in 2012, the organisation has been crucial in organising relief for sex workers during the Covid-19 pandemic and took part in advocacy campaigns at Latin American level. Learn more
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Argentina | Latin America | 2021 |
Red Umbrella Project (RedUP)
Red Umbrella Project (RedUP)United States Local, Subnational, National English RedUp amplifies the voices of diverse sex workers through media, storytelling, peer-led trainings and creative advocacy programs with the aim to reduce stigma, promote human rights, increase access to justice and personal development. The group founded the successful Access to Condoms Coalition in New York to fight against the use of condoms by police as evidence of prostitution. The group monitored the activities of the Human Trafficking Intervention Courts in New York City and uses the data to lobby for better laws and policies in relation to trafficking and sex work. Learn more
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United States | North America/Caribbean | 2015 |
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 |
Sangharsha Mahila Samuha (SMS)
Sangharsha Mahila Samuha (SMS)Nepal Local, Subnational English This women-led sex worker organisation in Bhaktapur District in the east of the Kathmandu Valley was set up in 2010 to promote the health and human rights of sex workers. The group works together with other organisations to improve access for sex workers to health services including HIV and STI treatment and safe abortion services. SMS will take action during the international 16 days of activism against gender based violence campaign to address violence against sex workers.
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Nepal | Asia/Pacific | 2019 |
Sex Work Polska
Sex Work PolskaPoland 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. Learn more
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Poland | Europe | 2021 |
Sex Workers Network Bangladesh (SWNOB)
Sex Workers Network Bangladesh (SWNOB)Bangladesh Local, Subnational, National English This national network unites 29 member organisations representing sex workers of all genders and different localities in Bangladesh. The group aims to strengthen its member organisations by building their leadership capacities. SWNOB works with community leaders and the media to raise awareness about the human rights of sex workers, and takes action against brothel evictions and violence from law enforcement institutions. SWNOB advocates at the national level for the inclusion of sex workers in the country’s social security strategy Learn more
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Bangladesh | Asia/Pacific | 2018 |
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 |
Sisonke – National Sex Worker Movement of South Africa
Sisonke – National Sex Worker Movement of South AfricaSouth Africa Local, Subnational, National English This national network of sex workers strives for the decriminalisation of sex work and for all sex workers to be treated with respect and dignity. Sisonke fosters solidarity among sex workers and advocates for better access to health services and protection from violence. The group provides HIV and human rights information through peer outreach work, builds capacity of sex workers through training, and provides legal services. Sisonke strategically works in partnership with allied organisations to strengthen its influence and participates in relevant government spaces. Learn more
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South Africa | Africa | 2016 |
Sisonke – National Sex Worker Movement of South Africa
Sisonke – National Sex Worker Movement of South AfricaSouth Africa Local, Subnational, National English This group strives for the recognition of sex work as work and for all sex workers to be treated with respect and dignity. Sisonke fosters solidarity among sex workers, provides educational support and legal services and advocates for better access to health and protection from violence. The Red Umbrella Fund grant contributes to the organisation’s progress towards becoming an independent and united movement, led by sex workers and for all sex workers across South Africa. Learn more
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South Africa | Africa | 2014 |
Tikondane CBO
Tikondane CBOMalawi local, subnational English Selling sex is legal in Malawi. However, there is a law against “any common prostitute behaving in a disorderly or indecent manner in any public place” and vagrancy laws used against sex workers. In its work, Tikondane aims to support female sex workers by increasing access to quality healthcare, social and legal support, information and sustainable systems of livelihood. With this grant, Tikondane aims to organise sensitisation activities and develop information, education and communication materials for the community.
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Malawi | Africa | 2022 |
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.
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Cambodia | Asia/Pacific | 2012 |