YouthMappers for Sustainable Development

From OpenStreetMap Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

YouthMappers for Sustainable Development

Introduction: YouthMappers for Sustainable Development, formerly known as YouthMappers Technical University East, is a dynamic chapter established on the 17th of July 2021, at the Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone. The chapter aims to engage young people in contributing to the OpenStreetMap, use of geospatial tools and data to promote sustainable development in Sierra Leone and beyond. Through mapping, education, and community involvement, YouthMappers fosters a collaborative environment for youth empowerment and contributes to global development goals.

Mission and Vision

YouthMappers for Sustainable Development focuses on:

  • Youth Empowerment: Encouraging young people to engage in contributing to OpenStreetMap, mapping and data analysis for sustainable development.
  • Community Engagement: Collaborating with local communities to address challenges using geospatial data.
  • Education and Training: Providing workshops, training programs, and events to build technical skills in the field of geospatial sciences.
  • Data for Development: Using mapping and geospatial data to solve critical issues such as environmental degradation, disaster preparedness, and access to resources, and data for SDG.

The chapter's mission is to empower young people with the knowledge and tools to use OpenStreetMap and other geospatial technologies to contribute to sustainable development in their communities.

Key Activities

YouthMappers for Sustainable Development has been involved in several key activities:

  • Mapping Projects: The chapter has worked on mapping critical areas in Sierra Leone, including roads, water sources, and infrastructure. These maps are valuable for local development and emergency response.
  • Collaboration with NGOs and Government Agencies: The chapter partners with non-governmental organizations and Government Agencies to map vulnerable communities and provide data for humanitarian aid.
  • Workshops and Trainings: The chapter organizes regular workshops to train students and youth in geospatial tools and OpenStreetMap. These sessions focus on practical skills for Archair, field mapping and data management.

Accomplishments

Since its inception in 2021, YouthMappers for Sustainable Development has made significant progress in:

  • Contributed to OpenStreetMap data of Sierra Leone and globally at large.
  • Participated in the Power Grid Mapping project.
  • Implemented the Mapping of Rural Water Resources and Risk Flooad Areas.
  • Implemented the Mapping of 16 Communities and over 100 farmers cocoa farmlands.
  • Implemented the Mapping of ICT and Library Resouces Centers within Kenema City.
  • Implementing the Smart Agriculture and Climate Resilience Project.
  • Collaborated with the OpenStreetMap Sierra Leone to train communities members from diverse sectors on Armchair and Field Mapping.
  • Partnering with local NGOs to improve the geospatial data of Sierra Leone.
  • Training students and young professionals in geospatial data collection and mapping tools.

The chapter has become a key player in advancing geospatial technology and its applications for sustainable development in Sierra Leone.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, YouthMappers for Sustainable Development aims to:

  • Expand mapping efforts to cover all districts of Sierra Leone.
  • Increase partnerships with national, international organizations and local government agencies.
  • Develop a mentorship program to support young geospatial professionals in the region.
  • And implemented past and recent projects in other regions, and even globally.

References

Retrieved from "https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/w/index.php?title=YouthMappers_for_Sustainable_Development&oldid=2791315"