Transactional sex – the exchange of sex for money, goods, services or privileges – is a critical yet underrecognized livelihood strategy in humanitarian contexts. 

This project seeks to strengthen the societal impact of research insights by partnering with four local community-based organizations to become a bridge between the target population and the humanitarian sector, beyond the duration of the project. 

Partnering with four community-based organizations, the project will focus on building capacity for translating research results into outputs such as storytelling, script writing and podcast production that are accessible for both service providers and people practicing transactional sex.

These partners have experience working with humanitarian-crises affected populations and/or people

• Fundación de Mujeres Mercedes Abrego - organization working directly with and for people practicing transactional sex in Cúcuta, Colombia
• Trans Women Association from North Santander - a transwomen community-based organization from Cúcuta, Colombia
• Fundación Mahuampi Venezuela - organization working with migrant populations in Bogotá and surrounding areas, specifically with Venezuelan migrants
• Balu Organization - organization in Bogotá, working with various public and private organizations to reduce stigma towards sex work and transgender populations

The project is led by Dr Silke Heumann, PhD researcher Maria Inés Cubides Kovacsics and Dr Karin Astrid Siegmann.