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 |
---|---|---|---|
Action Humanitaire pour la Sante et le Developpement (AHUSADEC)
Action Humanitaire pour la Sante et le Developpement (AHUSADEC)Democratic Republic of the Congo Local French The Bukavu branch of AHUSADEC is a sex worker-led group that operates in Kivu province. It provides a safe space for sex workers where it offers health information and documents cases of violence which it brings to police and court. Through radio shows the group aims to promote its work and educate the public about human rights.
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo | Africa | 2012 |
Aids Acodev Cameroun
Aids Acodev CamerounCameroon Local French This association of sex workers mainly operates in Douala, Cameroon’s main industrial and harbor city. The group provides health and HIV information and services to sex workers of all genders. Aids Acodev reaches out to potential allies and the media to bring attention to the stigma, discrimination, and rights violations that sex workers face.
|
Cameroon | Africa | 2012 |
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 |
Movement for Vulnerability and Empowerment (MOVE)
Movement for Vulnerability and Empowerment (MOVE)Sierra Leone Local English Led by sex workers who are women, this recently established organisation advocates for improved access to health care, particularly in relation to sexual and reproductive health. MOVE has a focus on combating violence, and engages political and religious leaders to educate them about the experiences of sex workers.
|
Sierra Leone | Africa | 2012 |
Sisonke – National Sex Worker Movement of South Africa
Sisonke – National Sex Worker Movement of South AfricaSouth Africa Local English Operating in seven provinces of South Africa, the organisation is building an independent and self-led movement of sex workers. Sisonke provides information to sex workers on accessing social services, such as health care, and on working with the police and court system. The group offers workshops on sexual health, leadership and human rights. Learn more
|
South Africa | Africa | 2012 |
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
|
Regional Network - Kenya Based | Africa | 2013 |
Engender Rights Centre for Justice (ERCJ)
Engender Rights Centre for Justice (ERCJ)Zambia Local, Subnational English This group works to protect the rights and interests of sex workers through outreach and capacity building of sex workers of all genders in the capital city Lusaka and surroundings. Three out of four members of the group are HIV positive and one of the priority areas of the group is access to HIV prevention and treatment services for sex workers. The group also trains health care workers and police on the needs and rights of sex workers.
|
Zambia | Africa | 2013 |
Tiyane Vavassate
Tiyane VavassateMozambique Local English Created in 2011, this emerging group brings together sex workers of all genders from three provinces of Mozambique to improve the human rights of sex workers, and end violence and discrimination. The group builds knowledge of sex workers in areas of sexual and reproductive health and human rights, and trains them to become advocates for their own rights. With the Red Umbrella Fund grant, the group will develop its organisational structures and capacities.
|
Mozambique | Africa | 2013 |
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 |
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
|
Kenya | Africa | 2014 |
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
|
Nigeria | Africa | 2014 |
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
|
South Africa | Africa | 2014 |
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
|
Cameroon | Africa | 2015 |
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 |
African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)
African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)Regional Network - Kenya Based International English Created in 2009, this regional network unites 75 sex worker groups from 28 countries and aims to expand its membership to include all countries in Africa. It provides strategic advice, networking opportunities, capacity-building tools and financial support to local groups that work to improve sex workers’ access to health services and labour rights. Its membership includes sex workers of all genders. ASWA represents sex workers’ interest in regional and international processes and platforms. Learn more
|
Regional Network - Kenya Based | Africa | 2016 |
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 |
Malawi Sex Workers Alliance (MSWA)
Malawi Sex Workers Alliance (MSWA)Malawi Local, National English This group of women sex workers was formed in 2014 to advocate for the health and human rights of sex workers. Malawi Sex Workers Alliance (MASWA) reaches out to law and policy makers and enforcers to improve the way sex workers are perceived and treated in the country. The group documents human rights violations, provides training on human rights to sex workers, and supports sex workers to access justice. Learn more
|
Malawi | Africa | 2016 |
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
|
South Africa | Africa | 2016 |
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
|
Cameroon | Africa | 2017 |
Men Against Aids Youth Group (MAAYGO)
Men Against Aids Youth Group (MAAYGO)Kenya Local English Created 2008, this sex worker-led organisation in Kisumu, a port city on Lake Victoria, advocates for the rights of communities with multiple stigmatised identities (e.g., sex worker, LGBTQI+, and/or living with HIV). MAAYGO’s mission is to provide men sex workers and men having sex with men, especially those living with HIV, with access to quality health services. The group runs a safe space where young LGBTQI+ can meet, exchange experiences, access free condoms, receive HIV counselling and simply be themselves. Learn more
|
Kenya | Africa | 2017 |
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
|
Nigeria | Africa | 2017 |
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 |
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 |
African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)
African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)Regional Network - Kenya Based International English Created in 2009, this regional network based in Kenya unites 100 sex worker groups from 33 countries in Africa and aims to expand its membership to include all countries of the continent. ASWA provides strategic advice, networking opportunities, capacity-building tools and financial support to local groups that work to improve sex workers’ access to health services and labour rights. Its membership includes sex workers of all genders. ASWA represents the interests of sex workers in regional and international debates and platforms. Learn more
|
Regional Network - Kenya Based | Africa | 2018 |
And Soppeku (AS)
And Soppeku (AS)Senegal Local, National French And Soppeku (meaning “together for a change in behaviour”) is a ten-year-old sex worker organisation that aims to improve sex workers’ knowledge of their rights and achieve legal reform in Senegal to ensure that sex work is respected as work. And Soppeku provides leadership training for sex workers and engages in advocacy with parliamentarians and other politicians. The group is comprised of women sex workers who live and work in the suburbs of Dakar and in the regions of Thies, Kaolack and Sédhiou. Learn more
|
Senegal | Africa | 2018 |
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 |
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 |
Nigeria Sex Workers Association (NSWA)
Nigeria Sex Workers Association (NSWA)Nigeria National English This national network of sex workers in Nigeria provides trainings to build the capacity of its 24 member organisations. This group particularly works on reducing violence from the police by educating sex workers on how to document abuse when they face it and by organising workshops with police officers on respect for human rights. NSWA provides trainings to sex workers to build self-esteem and public-speaking skills so that sex workers can speak out more effectively in national and international forums. Learn more
|
Nigeria | Africa | 2018 |
Anonymous
AnonymousANON
|
ANON | Africa | 2019 |
Anonymous
AnonymousANON
|
ANON | Africa | 2019 |
Anonymous
AnonymousANON
|
ANON | Africa | 2019 |
Coalition Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre pour le travail du sexe (CAFOC-TS)
Coalition Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre pour le travail du sexe (CAFOC-TS)Regional Network - Senegal Based International French Formed in 2015, this network of 21 sex worker-led organisations in 14 countries in West and Central Africa focuses on building the leadership of sex workers in Francophone Africa. CAFOC-TS works to harmonise sex workers’ rights advocacy in the region and to document and share the successes of its members. The network collaborates with the African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA) and Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) to better address the specific needs of Francophone sex workers.
|
Regional Network - Senegal Based | Africa | 2019 |
Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA)
Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA)Kenya National English This national network unites and represents sex worker-led organisations in all 47 counties of Kenya. KESWA organises media boot camps and builds leadership skills of its members. The network trains sex workers as paralegals and human rights defenders to improve sex workers’ access to justice. KESWA is working towards a strategic litigation case to decriminalize sex work in the country and is developing a security plan to address violence against sex workers. Learn more
|
Kenya | Africa | 2019 |
Parapli Rouz
Parapli RouzMauritius Local, National English This group builds sex workers’ knowledge and skills on human rights and advocacy with the aim to have sex work recognised as work in Mauritius. Parapli Rouz provides legal support to sex workers to protect their right to carry condoms and to be able to maintain custody of their children. The group also offers peer education and HIV testing among sex workers across the island with their outreach caravan. Learn more
|
Mauritius | Africa | 2019 |
Pow Wow
Pow WowZimbabwe Local, National English This local group of sex workers of all genders was created in 2014. It is a founding member of the national network of sex workers in the country and a member of the regional network, the African Sex Workers Alliance. Pow Wow led the successful effort to outlaw solicitation arrests of female sex workers and aims to expand the ruling to apply to all genders. The group conducts peer outreach and holds themed bi-weekly dialogues with sex workers to foster solidarity among the diverse sex workers that it brings together. Learn more
|
Zimbabwe | Africa | 2019 |
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 |
Zambia Sex Workers Alliance (ZASWA)
Zambia Sex Workers Alliance (ZASWA)Zambia Local, National English This sex worker-led organisation works with trained community champions in six districts to improve the quality of life of sex workers in Zambia. ZASWA provides local community saving schemes and workshops on sexual and reproductive health and rights. The group provides trainings on human rights and community organising for sex workers and awareness raising workshops on human rights of sex workers for police in Lusaka. By organising events around international sex worker days, ZASWA aims to increase visibility of sex workers. Learn more
|
Zambia | Africa | 2019 |
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 |
Anonymous
AnonymousANON
|
ANON | Africa | 2020 |
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 |