OSM Academy

OSM Academy® OSM Academy is an international online platform that teaches mapping to individuals, regardless of their experience. It focuses on contributing to OpenStreetMap (OSM) through volunteer-driven learning activities. Official website: [1]

OSM Academy

Official website: [2].

Introduction

• • OSM Academy** is an initiative dedicated to empowering individuals and communities around the world by providing training, resources, and support for open mapping and geospatial data skills. Built on the foundation of OpenStreetMap (OSM), OSM Academy aims to create a global network of mappers who can contribute to humanitarian aid, disaster response, economic development, and environmental protection using open geographic data.

The Academy is designed for everyone—whether you're a beginner looking to learn mapping tools, a professional seeking to sharpen your skills, or an organization looking for training resources for your team. The goal of OSM Academy is to make geospatial skills and tools accessible to all, facilitating a more inclusive, informed, and collaborative world through the power of open mapping.

Mission

Our mission is to:

• Empower people and communities to contribute to global mapmaking through the use of open-source tools and resources.
• Provide comprehensive and accessible training on the practical use of geospatial data, especially OpenStreetMap.
• Facilitate collaboration across borders to address global challenges like disaster response, climate change, and economic development.
• Promote the principles of open data and open source software as essential tools for societal development.

Key Features

OSM Academy offers a variety of features to support learners and contributors:

Training and Tutorials

We provide a range of tutorials and training programs, from beginner to advanced levels, covering essential OpenStreetMap tools and techniques. Our training is hands-on and designed to give learners practical experience with tools like:

• **iD Editor**: A beginner-friendly online editor for contributing to OSM.
• **JOSM**: A more advanced tool for detailed and bulk mapping tasks.
• **Mapillary**: A street-level imagery platform that integrates with OpenStreetMap for enhanced mapping accuracy.

Webinars and Workshops

OSM Academy organizes regular webinars, workshops, and virtual events to introduce participants to key mapping topics. These events cover:

• Humanitarian mapping and disaster response.
• Specialized mapping projects such as flood mapping, accessibility mapping, and land use classification.
• Best practices for mapping, data validation, and quality assurance.
• How to integrate OSM data into GIS and other mapping platforms.

Community-driven Projects

As part of OSM Academy’s commitment to practical learning, we host community-driven projects where users can collaborate on live mapping tasks. This includes projects related to:

• Disaster preparedness and response, such as mapping areas affected by hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods.
• Sustainable development goals (SDGs), with mapping efforts focused on health, education, and infrastructure.
• Environmental conservation, such as mapping biodiversity hotspots and protected areas.

Participants in these projects gain valuable experience while contributing to meaningful, real-world causes.

Global Collaboration

We believe that collaboration is key to achieving large-scale impact. OSM Academy encourages participation from individuals and organizations across the globe. Mappers can:

• Join global task forces for humanitarian mapping initiatives.
• Collaborate with experts in GIS, open data, and disaster response.
• Participate in events such as the [State of the Map](https://www.stateofthemap.org/) conference to connect with others in the OSM community.

Certification Programs

To recognize the skills and contributions of learners, OSM Academy offers certification programs. Participants can earn certificates in various areas such as:

• OpenStreetMap editing and validation.
• Disaster response and humanitarian mapping.
• Geospatial data analysis using open tools.

How to Get Involved

Getting started with OSM Academy is simple: 1. **Create an OpenStreetMap account**: To contribute to OSM and access OSM Academy's resources, you'll need to have an OSM account. You can [sign up here](https://www.openstreetmap.org/user/new). 2. **Explore OSM Academy resources**: Visit our website for tutorials, training sessions, and upcoming events. 3. **Join the community**: Become part of the global OSM Academy community by joining our online forums, chat groups, and social media channels. 4. **Participate in live mapping events**: Contribute to current humanitarian projects, or start your own mapping initiatives.

Success Stories

Many individuals and organizations have benefited from OSM Academy’s training and resources. Here are a few success stories:

• **Community Mapping in Bangladesh**: OSM Academy helped train a group of university students in Bangladesh, leading to the creation of detailed maps for flood-prone regions. This project not only enhanced the students' mapping skills but also contributed to disaster preparedness efforts in the region.
• **Disaster Response in the Philippines**: After a devastating typhoon, a group of local volunteers, trained by OSM Academy, quickly contributed to mapping the affected areas. Their efforts enabled relief organizations to more efficiently deliver aid and resources.

Upcoming Events

OSM Academy regularly organizes events to support its mission and engage the global mapping community. Upcoming events include:

• **Virtual Mapping Parties**: Join online mapping events where participants from around the world work together to map disaster zones, infrastructure, and community resources.
• **Mapping for Climate Change**: A series of workshops focused on how open mapping can be used to monitor and respond to the impacts of climate change.
• **Hackathons and Competitions**: These events encourage developers and mappers to create innovative solutions using OSM data to address real-world problems.

Stay up to date with our events on our [website](https://osm.academy/events) and [social media pages].

Join the Movement

By joining OSM Academy, you’re becoming part of a global effort to build better maps, better data, and a better future. Whether you're contributing to a disaster relief effort or working on a local project, your work will have a lasting impact.

Contact Us

Have questions or want to get involved? Feel free to reach out to us:

• Email: ask.osmacademy@gmail.com
• Social Media: