Every journey has a first step. For me, that step was May 10, 2024. Figure 1: Photo from X, Unilag YouthMappers Chapter, 2024. I didn't document the day then (I didn't even keep a diary at the time), but looking back, that was the day I was inducted as a YouthMapper. The session, led by the then-president and now Regional Ambassador, Iyanu Gbiri was engaging and eye-opening. Still, at that point in my life, my focus was elsewhere. I was deeply caught up in the chase for finan

Introduction Agriculture and technology are increasingly intersecting to solve real-world challenges, especially in food production and sustainability. This blog explores an exciting initiative that demonstrates how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and satellite data can be used to assess crop health. Led by the KNUST YouthMappers chapter, the project focused on mapping and analyzing farmlands on the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus using

Mary Muthee My YouthMappers story began in 2021, when I joined the Technical University of Kenya YouthMappers Chapter. In 2022, I was honored to serve as Chapter President, leading mapping initiatives and capacity-building sessions that empowered other students to use geospatial tools for humanitarian and development work. In 2024, I was selected as part of the YouthMappers Leadership Fellowship, an unforgettable experience that took place in Thailand, bringing together young

On September 20, 2025, the world came together to mark World Cleanup Day, a global day of action against waste and pollution. This year, YouthMappers played a special role in supporting the movement, with members uniting through the Yoma platform and WhatsApp groups to share knowledge, coordinate cleanups, and map trash points across different communities. "This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible spirit of leadership within young people worldwide,

Introduction Every September, the world comes together under one movement: World Cleanup Day — a day where millions of people in over 150 countries unite to fight waste and protect the environment. For us at YouthMappers, Gombe State University (GSU), Nigeria, 2025 was another chance to stand tall as part of this global effort. On Saturday, September 20, 2025, our chapter joined hands with the global YouthMappers community and the world at large to make a difference in our ci

On March 4, 2025, the YouthMappers Chapter at the Institute of Remote Sensing and GIS (IRS), Jahangirnagar University, proudly celebrated Open Data Day 2025 with an impactful event titled "Mapping Resilience: Harnessing Open Data for Flood Preparedness in Sunamganj." This celebration united over 50 students in a full-day program dedicated to open data, disaster resilience, and community engagement. Why Sunamganj? Sunamganj, a flood-prone region of Bangladesh, served as the fo

Welcome to my article (my journey) in the world of OpenStreetMap (OSM) (https://www.openstreetmap.org/user/Bayazid%20Ahmed), an open collaboration map that envisions geographic data available for the common good. Over the last couple of months, I have participated in many OSM events and training sessions. Through these experiences, I have gained knowledge and earned several certificates of participation. I. Introduction Mapping goes a step further than simply drawing the geog

After a momentous event, Far Western University became the first university in Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal, to host a formal chapter of YouthMappers, setting a new pace for geospatial innovation and collaborative breakthroughs in the region. On August 4 and 5, 2024, Far Western University hosted a two-day, colorful, and inspiring event with more than 100 students from various faculties — including Engineering, Management, Law, and CSIT — for the Grand Opening, themed "Surpas

The YouthMappers UFRJ chapter (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and the Virtual Institute for Sustainable Development (IVIDES.org) carried out a field mapping of trees on OpenStreetMap on the campus of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), with the support of mobile applications. The MapComplete (https://mapcomplete.org) application was used to record photographs of the individual trees and include data on relevant attributes, such as the circumference of the tree, i

Acknowledgment: This post was delayed in publication and may contain outdated information. We appreciate your understanding. On July 22, YouthMappers UNA collaborated in a Mapathon organized by the YouthMappers chapter at TU Munich, alongside Geoawesome, the German Red Cross, and Runder Tisch E.V. The event focused on mapping vulnerable regions, with special training provided by Isabel Klipper from the German Red Cross. The event saw 25 participants, 21 of whom attended in pe

Agradecimiento: Esta publicación se retrasó y podría contener información desactualizada. Agradecemos su comprensión. El 22 de julio, YouthMappers UNA participó como colaborador en un Mapatón organizado por el capítulo de YouthMappers en TU Munich, junto con Geoawesome, la Cruz Roja Alemana y Runder Tisch E.V. Este evento se centró en mapear regiones vulnerables, con la colaboración especial de Isabel Klipper, de la Cruz Roja Alemana, quien proporcionó capacitación en mapeo h

Acknowledgment: This post was delayed in publication and may contain outdated information. We appreciate your understanding. When I first received the email notifying me of my selection for the YouthMappers Leadership Fellowship 2024 in Thailand, it was a surreal moment. I was doing my assignments, all frustrated, when suddenly the notification popped up, and I couldn't contain my emotions. I jumped with joy, overwhelmed by the thought of being chosen for such an incredible o

Introduction On February 7, 2026, HTU YouthMappers, in partnership with the Ho Central Division of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), conducted a Fire Hydrant Mapping Exercise in the Ho Municipality, organized by Calvin Amevienku, YouthMappers Volunteer Regional Ambassador to Ghana. This initiative aimed to identify, verify, and digitally map 19 fire hydrants to support emergency response operations, improve fire safety planning, and strengthen community resilience. It a

Acknowledgment: This post was delayed in publication and may contain outdated information. We appreciate your understanding. Collaborations have proven instrumental in fostering meaningful engagement for YouthMappers, providing opportunities for career growth. The conclusion of 2023 marked a triumphant moment for YouthMappers in Kenya. Nancy Kinywa, representing the Clinton Health Access Initiative, along with Maurine Oyugi, the Regional Ambassador for YouthMappers, organized

Acknowledgment: This post was delayed in publication and may contain outdated information. We appreciate your understanding. Hello, YouthMappers community! I am very excited to share with you the experiences and milestones that have marked my journey so far as a Regional Ambassador for YouthMappers 2023-2024. As I reflect upon the first year in this role, it appears to me like a tapestry knitted through collaboration, challenges, and growth, all of which strengthened my commi

Introduction Leadership often begins with a question: How can we use what we know to serve the communities around us, and how can we change the community with what we have? When I assumed office as President of the KNUST YouthMappers Chapter (2024–2025), I carried a strong passion for community engagement, environmental sanitation, and climate action. As a geospatial community enthusiast, I believed our work and activities should go beyond mapping and translate into visible i

On September 20, 2025, our team, KabU YouthMappers from Kabale University, joined hundreds of youths across Africa and the Caribbean for the MAP&CLEAN Challenge, a collaborative initiative with Yoma, UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, and the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT). Where We Made a Difference We focused our efforts around Kabale Town, working in the areas captured in our shared digital map: https://umap.hotosm.org/en/map/chatmap_960. The map pinpoints exactly where

When I reflect on my journey this year, I see two worlds converging: my leadership experience with YouthMappers and my participation in the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) on Public Policy, under the Kansas Women's Leadership Institute (KWLI) at the University of Kansas. While SUSI was not focused specifically on mapping or geospatial data, it deeply shaped how I understand leadership and community impact. In many ways, my role in YouthMappers prepared me to fully embrace

Acknowledgment: This post was delayed in publication and may contain outdated information. We appreciate your understanding. In January 2023, I began my journey as a freshman studying Geography and Regional Planning at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. As a "tabula rasa" student, I arrived on campus eager to explore new opportunities. During my first lecture, various student groups introduced themselves, promoting different academic societies. One group, however, stood o

Acknowledgment: This post was delayed in publication and may contain outdated information. We appreciate your understanding. My adventure with University of Malawi YouthMappers Chapter (UNIMA) began in 2022 when I first joined the University of Malawi. As a new student, I was eager to explore opportunities and contribute meaningfully. Little did I know then that this organization would become such a significant part of my university life and personal growth. When I first join