YouthMappers in Action: Celebrating World Cleanup Day 2025 with Mapping, Learning, and Community Impact
- Emmanuel Richard Mahe
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
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, who stepped forward to protect our planet for current and future generations."
A Global Movement, a Shared Platform
With support from HOT (Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team), Yoma, UNICEF, and Generation Unlimited, young people across Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond were able to connect, take online courses, and contribute directly to open mapping. Using ChatMap for Mapping Trash and uMap, participants collected and published trash data from their communities, creating powerful visualizations of waste hotspots.
Explore the Cleanup Map here:
Spotlight: CUSL-Mappers – Sierra Leone
As part of the Africa and Caribbean Challenge, the Central University YouthMappers Sierra Leone (CUSL-Mappers) combined on-the-ground cleanups with digital mapping efforts at the Mile 91 Clock Tower Roundabout, working alongside volunteers, interns, and local stakeholders.
They also committed to continuous learning by enrolling in mapping courses on Yoma and the HOT Learning Platform, including:
YouthMappers Tanzania: Regional Reflections
As a Regional Ambassador for YouthMappers, I had the privilege of mobilizing groups in Tanzania to participate in World Cleanup Day. This included bringing together students and alumni from different chapters and reconnecting with stakeholders, groups, and other partners.
This year felt really special to me because different organizations in Tanzania worked closely with YouthMappers chapters. We had amazing support from partner organizations in Tanzania: GeoTE Tanzania, OMDTZ (Open Map Development Tanzania), My Birthday Tree Organization, Open Knowledge Tanzania, Roots GIS, Youth Environment Forum, Limitless Mind Movement, and other partner groups across the country who showed up for direct collaboration with YouthMappers chapters in different parts of the country.
I am grateful to the chapters across Tanzania — SMCoSE YouthMappers from Sokoine University of Agriculture, JUCo YouthMappers from Jordan University College, Mzumbe YouthMappers from Mzumbe University, UDSM YouthMappers from the University of Dar es Salaam, and IRDP Mwanza YouthMappers from the Institute of Rural Development Planning — for proving that when students and alumni unite, change is possible.
All youths worked together through the Yoma platform and WhatsApp groups, finishing online mapping courses, sharing ideas for local cleanups, and mapping trash points globally.
"It really proved how strong we are when young people, universities, and local organizations join forces for one goal: keeping our planet clean."
This showed how strong we are when we all work together to keep our planet clean.
Recognizing Global YouthMappers Efforts
World Cleanup Day 2025 was a global YouthMappers effort. From Africa to the Caribbean, Asia to the Americas, chapters worked tirelessly to learn, map, and act for cleaner communities.
"It felt historic — not only were we active in our own communities, but as YouthMappers we were part of a worldwide wave of change."
A global collage of YouthMappers in action.
Moving Forward
World Cleanup Day 2025 was more than a single-day event — it was a call to action. By combining digital mapping with physical cleanups, YouthMappers worldwide demonstrated how technology and youth leadership can protect our planet.
"For me personally, this event was more than just a cleanup. It was proof that when young people lead with passion, change is possible anywhere."
The journey doesn't stop here. The mapping courses remain open, and more students and communities are encouraged to enroll, learn, and take part in future initiatives. Together, we are not just cleaning our planet — we are mapping a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Special Acknowledgments
On behalf of fellow YouthMappers, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who made World Cleanup Day 2025 impactful:
Global Partners: Yoma, HOT, UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, and the Open Mapping Hub – Eastern and Southern Africa.
YouthMappers Chapters in Tanzania: SMCoSE, JUCo, Mzumbe, UDSM, IRDP Mwanza.
Partner Organizations in Tanzania: GeoTE Tanzania, My Birthday Tree Organization, Open Knowledge Tanzania, OMDTZ, Roots GIS, Youth Environment Forum, Limitless Mind Movement.
Global YouthMappers Family: From Sierra Leone to the Caribbean, East Africa to Asia and the Americas — and finally, to each participant individually: whether you joined a cleanup, completed a mapping course, recorded trash points, or encouraged others, your effort mattered. It is not easy, but with the spirit of youth leadership and the heart to protect our planet for future generations, you made this impact great.
We Clean, We Map, and We Care for Our Future Generations.
About the Author
Emmanuel Richard Mahe is a Lawyer by professional and Regional Ambassador for YouthMappers, passionate about human rights, environmental protection, and digital skills. He works with GeoTE Tanzania as an Administrator, integrating legal expertise and geospatial technology to drive youths and community engagement.
Comments