My journey with YouthMappers began in 2022, fueled by enthusiasm but hampered by technological constraints. My initial laptop barely functioned, and when it finally gave out,  my phone followed suit. However, these setbacks did not deter my commitment. I borrowed laptops from friends, participated in online training sessions, and gradually honed my skills, particularly in JOSM (Java OpenStreetMap Editor). As the Media and Publicity Director for my chapter, I channeled my crea

Acknowledgement: This post was delayed in publication and may contain outdated information. We appreciate your understanding. It was a crisp day when I first encountered Mapillary, the application that has transformed the way I view the world. I was introduced to this revolutionary mapping tool by Mr. Mawutor Stephen Donkor (OSM Ghana) on August 2, 2022, and since then, it has been history. Little did I know that this chance encounter would ignite a passion within me and set

A concise but captivating story of my transformative journey at YouthMappersFUTA. Brace up, it’s a long read. Introduction My name is Ezekiel Ogungbemi, a final-year student from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, with a major in Remote Sensing and Geoscience Information Systems. About YouthMappersFUTA Chapter First Meetup 2021 YouthMappers FUTA Chapter is one among the 425 campus chapters across 81 countries in the globe. A vibrant local community filled with resil

Acknowledgement: This post was delayed in publication and may contain outdated information. We appreciate your understanding. On the 6th April 2024 marked a significant milestone in my academic journey at MUBAS as I embarked on a new adventure with the Geospatial Youth Mappers program. Despite being in my third year and pursuing a program unrelated to geospatial mapping, I found myself immersed in an exciting world of mapping and data contribution that left me feeling inspire

The next decade is about scaling not just data, but impact—ensuring the maps we make reflect the communities we call home.

This post is published in both English and Spanish. For the English translation, please scroll down. Un cálido saludo a toda la comunidad de YouthMappers y de OpenStreetMap. Mi nombre es Isabel Alejandra Fuentes Núñez, y este 2025 estoy culminando mi Licenciatura en Ciencia y Tecnología de la Información Geográfica en la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH). Quiero compartir con ustedes una experiencia que ha marcado profundamente mi trayectoria académica y person

Attending the ESRI User Conference (UC) 2025 in San Diego was nothing short of an unforgettable experience. It was my first time...

YouthMappers not only equipped me with technical skills but also instilled in me confidence, leadership, and the ability to make tangible, positive changes in the world. To any student thinking about joining YouthMappers, my advice is simple: take the leap. You never know how far you can go until you start mapping your own journey.

Acknowledgement: This post was delayed in publication and may contain outdated information. We appreciate your understanding....

Acknowledgement: This post was delayed in publication and may contain outdated information. We appreciate your understanding. In...

The journey isn't just about maps; it's about the stories we tell, the communities we empower, and the collective impact we make. Together, we continue to map, learn, and grow, weaving a story that transcends borders and echoes the resounding impact of geospatial technology in our collective pursuit of positive change.

"One of the most rewarding outcomes of those workshops have been witnessing chapter members take ownership of their learning and put their skills into practice. Seeing their initiatives and accomplishments presented at SOTM Asia was a proud moment that validated the collective efforts of the community. It proved that YouthMappers in Bangladesh have the potential to make a lasting impact, not just locally but also on a broader scale."

On May 7th, I had the honor of receiving the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Emerging Leader Award 2025 at the GEO Awards Ceremony in...

In 2015, a bold idea took root to empower young people across the globe to create and use open mapping and geospatial technologies to...

The views and content expressed in this blog are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of any...

The views and content expressed in this blog are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of any...

Meta’s Open Maps Team focuses on improving OpenStreetMap (OSM) data for pedestrian features in select major cities worldwide. We...

The Emergence of YouthMappers More than 1 billion people in the world are missing from the maps that are foundational for basic needs and...

Acknowledgment: This post was delayed in publication and may contain outdated information. We appreciate your understanding. A Little...

"No matter who they are or where they are from, young people with skills right now are invaluable."