Reflecting on a Year of Empowering YouthMappers: A Regional Ambassador's Journey and Experience Sharing

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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 commitment to fostering youth engagement in open mapping.

Training Tomorrow's Leaders

I became the Regional Ambassador for YouthMappers, and I felt privileged to serve four active YouthMappers chapters in Sri Lanka. In the first few months, I interacted with students and faculty regarding the activities they were doing and what they were hoping to achieve. These discussions set the stage for what became an impactful year. One of my first initiatives was a one-day OSM workshop at Southeastern University. This workshop was well received and opened doors to invitations for similar sessions on other campuses, including Eastern University. These workshops aimed not only to enhance technical skills but also to foster the personal confidence needed to contribute to the global community of mappers. This energy translated into impactful projects and more events throughout the year.

But one of the defining events in my journey was a workshop held at Southeastern University of Sri Lanka on August 23. I worked closely with the chapter president and faculty advisor in planning sessions catered to second- and third-year students. Fifty students attended, and notably, 90% were female. The agenda included in-depth discussions on OSM, the use of mobile applications, and advanced JOSM training, especially on the HOT Tasking Manager. Helping these chapters register with OSM Teams further cemented their place in the global mapping community by allowing them to collaborate more effectively. Further partnerships were inspired, such as continued support for OSM projects at Eastern University, enhancing the footprint and reach of YouthMappers in Sri Lanka.

As the year closed, my attention moved to specialized training at Sabaragamuwa University. I provided two-day advanced OSM training to 52 students in late November. ID editing techniques in JOSM and a culminating field mapping exercise were covered in the workshop. Participants used tools like Mapillary, Every Door, and Organic Maps, diving deep into the world of geospatial data collection and validation.

Mapping for Disaster Management and GIS Awareness

Another highlight was the OSM Mapathon on GIS Day, which focused on mapping the Badulla District for landslide risk assessment, providing critical data to Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center. Over 20 participants joined the Mapathon, increasing appreciation for GIS and open-source mapping tools. It wasn't without fun: gifts and e-certificates were prepared for top contributors to keep students engaged in open mapping.

Going Global: State of the Map Asia Conference

My journey went to the next level when I was given the chance to present at the State of the Map Asia conference held in Bangkok. I presented a project proposal, "OpenStreetMap in University Curriculum," which sparked insightful discussions and connections. It was a powerful moment receiving the DEI Community Champion Award, a reflection of how much diversity, equity, and inclusion feature in our community.

This international exposure allowed me to connect with YouthMappers chapters across Asia and further develop a needs assessment, leading to a "Mapping for Community Development" webinar that created an avenue for networking, support, and collaboration beyond borders.

The last event of 2023 was held virtually and was attended by more than 55 students from different YouthMappers chapters. It was encouraging to see 80% female participation, a testament to how the open mapping community is increasingly drawing interest from women. This session emphasized collaboration, leadership, and the tremendous impact of mapping on communities.

Lessons from University Engagement

Each of these university chapters is uniquely remarkable, yet all share one simple mission: empowering communities through mapping. It has been an incredible year of workshops that continued to demonstrate how mapping can be truly transformational. Rather than simply collecting data, it's about empowerment, change, and breaking down barriers to make the world more accessible. It has indeed been an honor to work with such brilliant students and dedicated chapters, and I look forward to seeing the many great things they will continue to do.

One of the most rewarding moments of this journey has been the re-awakening of my love for teaching and mentorship. It was profoundly satisfying to lead students through skill development and witness their growing confidence. Whatever logistical challenges come with training are offset by direct interaction. Meeting students face-to-face reinforced just how strongly I believe in the power of personal connections and shared learning experiences.

A Cycle of Inspiration and Growth

While students look to me for guidance, I am always energized by their enthusiasm and dedication. Knowledge and enthusiasm feed each other in a spiral of growth. In mapping our way to empowering communities, the impact will surely radiate beyond this geographic coverage to create a lasting mark in furthering positive change.

The Growth of 2024: New Beginnings

The third quarter of 2024 saw tremendous growth and new opportunities within the Sri Lankan YouthMappers community — from OpenStreetMap workshops to a day celebrating Open Data, to leadership training. It was a very busy and fulfilling time.

The year started virtually with "Unveiling 2023 Activities and Envisioning 2024 Activity Plans," which attracted about 60 participants, including international attendees. This event allowed chapter officers to showcase past accomplishments from the preceding year alongside their plans for 2024. Contributions from guest speakers like Mr. Sawan Shariar and Mr. Ibrahim Abdulai Kargbo, fellow YouthMappers Regional Ambassadors, were highly appreciated and encouraged participants to seek emerging opportunities in geospatial technology.

In February, we kicked off the "Mapping Mastery Series" at Eastern University, Southeastern University, and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Sri Lanka. Workshops included advanced OSM skills, field mapping, and leadership training, drawing upward of 50-55 students at each event. Participants used tools like Mapillary, Every Door, and Organic Maps, diving deep into the world of geospatial data collection and validation.

This series developed not only technical skills but also advanced our gender inclusion goals: 90% of participants were women. Amid minor setbacks, like delays in setting up OSM Team accounts and last-minute changes, these experiences taught us the value of resilience, flexibility, and communication. It was also a time of personal growth, as I received the DEI Award from the Open Mapping Women Awards, which I understood as a reflection of our collective work toward an inclusive mapping community.

Organizing the YouthMappers Summit Sri Lanka 2024

One of the major milestones this year was organizing the YouthMappers Summit Sri Lanka 2024. It began in April with the announcement of the summit date and a call for logo designs. By July, 150 participants — including students, faculty, and academic personnel — were confirmed. We also announced a "YouthMappers Mini-Grant" to support YouthMappers activities in Sri Lanka and encourage greater student involvement.

Energy was palpable on summit day. Organized to celebrate open mapping and collaboration, the program featured keynote speakers, lightning talks, workshops, and presentations. Notable guests included Ms. Nushkiya Hassan, Mr. K. Nijamir, and Prof. A. Rameez, who shared their expertise, while international speakers like Kiran Ahire and Solita MuthuKrishna brought a global perspective on the power of mapping. The keynote speeches and workshops held during the summit were truly memorable. Highlights included Arnalie Vicario, Board Member at the OpenStreetMap Foundation, sharing insights on the OSMF, and Kiran Ahire speaking about TomTom's operations. Workshops such as "Validating OSM Data" by Severin Menard and "QGIS: An Introduction" by Richard Hinton gave participants hands-on training and a deeper understanding of geospatial technology. The summit closed with awards honoring the contributions of speakers, volunteers, and participants, setting a high bar for future collaboration.

Reflecting on an Incredible Year and Looking Ahead

This year was truly transformative — marked by growth through challenges, learning from setbacks, and celebrating successes with the open mapping community. My involvement as a Regional Ambassador with YouthMappers has been enriching, and I am excited to continue promoting inclusion, skill development, and leadership within YouthMappers. I want to express my deep gratitude to Marcela Zeballos, Managing Director of YouthMappers, and Dr. Patricia Solis, Director of YouthMappers, for their guidance and support. This is a reason for me to be truly optimistic about chapter growth and community impact through open mapping. Together, we are creating a world where everyone can have a place in open mapping and contribute to it. Thank you for being part of this journey, and here's to continued triumphs and collaborations in the future.

About the Author 

Sajeevini served as Regional Ambassador for the Asia Pacific Region at YouthMappers from 2023-2024 and is an OpenStreetMap volunteer based in Sri Lanka, a 2024 YouthMappers Leadership Fellow, and an alumna of the YouthMappers chapter at Eastern University, Sri Lanka. She completed a geospatial specialist internship at the United Nations and works as an OpenStreetMap trainer, helping purpose-driven organizations create social impact through open data and open-source software. She is currently pursuing an M.Sc. in GIS and Remote Sensing at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Sajeevini is passionate about GIS technologies and active in OpenStreetMap leadership in Sri Lanka, where she works to promote YouthMappers chapter activities and increase women's participation in OpenStreetMap. She led the organization of the YouthMappers Summit Sri Lanka 2024 and serves as an OM Guru at Open Mapping Hub Asia, focusing on the Validation Track.