OSM Awards 2025

Core Systems Award

For outstanding contributions to any of the core tools, systems, processes or resources. Not limited to systems under OSMF control. The Rails port, osm2pgsql, openstreetmap-carto, iD, JOSM, mapnik and any other tool that mappers use on a daily basis, knowingly or not, are eligible.

• Anton Khorev , Anton has submitted and merged hundreds of big and small changes to the osm.org website, and was made maintainer in 2024. He has constantly demonstrated that the website development has not stagnated, and set an example for coming contributors.
• Christian Quest , Christian has been among the developers for Panoramax, an open-source alternative to Street View and Mapillary, and a driving force behind its adoption by both government services and OSM-related software.
• Paul Norman , Paul has developed a potentially massive step forwards for the map rendering toolchain with a rendering pipeline that combines the flexible rendering of vector tile technology with the immediate response to edits of OSM’s current front page and is designed as a model for custom maps using data from OSM. This new vector tile layer has been deployed to osm.org and used by many.
• Jake Low , Jake has done tremendous work to overhaul and modernize the OSMCha stack. Among other things, he has introduced a new Augmented Diffs toolchain that revolutionizes changeset visualization. This mission critical software is now more performant, more stable, and even better set up for the future.

Innovation Award

For the best new service or approach. New tools for contributing data, image recognition, trace or OSM data analysis, new mapping approach or new perspective on old tools.

• Roman Deev , For the "better-osm-org" user script that adds dozens of highly useful features to the osm.org website. Changeset visualization, shortcuts, highlighting tag changes, a satellite layer, HDYC in profiles, a dark mode, and much, much more.
• Brandon Liu , For this tireless work on Protomaps and PMTiles, a now fully open source project that makes it trivial and cheap to host map tiles. Besides this technical innovation what is most impressive about the project is the challenge of making a living, marketing, expanding and improving a non-commercial project that aims to make it as cheap and easy as possible to host tiles.
• Eric Theise , Since 2022, Eric Theise has been using OpenStreetMap data with an evolving collection of open source software to create videos, performances, and works on paper. He's given ~40 North American and European performances of "A Synesthete's Atlas", during which he manipulates projected maps in collaboration with improvising musicians as a form of expanded cinema. Throughout February 2024 his 10 minute map animation, "If, as it advanced, the countermap's counter twirled the map around and down, spiraling out from Salesforce Tower to Bolinas as unwaveringly as the boléro (If Map #5)", looped atop the eight story high display that crowns San Francisco's Salesforce Tower. Created using MapLibre GL JS, Protomaps, open-stage-control, and his own code, the project was presented at State of the Maps EU (Lódz) & US (Salt Lake City).
• Daniel Schep , For the Overpass Ultra, which started as a more performant fork of the extremely popular Overpass Turbo. It has become an extremely feature rich platform for creating maps using OSM data. It supports custom styling, more data providers, more easily shareable links and more!

Influential Writing Award

For the best tutorial, documentation, blog or a blog post. A text or series of texts that attracted many new people to OSM, provided an interesting outlook on the project, or inspired the community to do better things.

• b-unicycling , Not only they are a prolific mapper in Ireland, they also have been publishing dozens of high-quality OpenStreetMap diary posts and YouTube videos focused on mapping historical features.
• Raquel Dezidério Souto , Raquel writes in English and Brazilian Portuguese about a variety of mapping topics with a particular interest in mapping disaster areas and mapping to support sustainable development. Her blog is vital for mappers in South America, for she announces all the important events and online initiatives people can participate in.
• Brazil Singh , For the extensive and informative article "What Is OpenStreetMap and Why Should Everyone in Bangladesh Use It?", where he explains how OSM data helps people and organizations in Bangladesh.
• Pablo Sanxiao and Iria Iglesias , In November 2024 they released a children's book "Fina and the Maps" (now translated in nine languages) designed to inspire little ones to explore collaborative cartography and OpenStreetMap.

Greatness in Mapping Award

For significant contributions to the map data, or exemplary mapping: micro-mapping, clean-up, mapping towns from scratch, proper imports.

• Phoebe Adams , For her incredible dedication to mapping solar panels around the world, and keeping buildings and tags in New Zealand in order.
• Juan Jose Iglesias Gonzalez , The lead mapper in Bolivia and one of the most prolific mappers worldwide using ID and Rapid.
• Samuel Darkwah Manu , One of the few Craftmappers with quality and detailed contributions on OpenStreetMap in Ghana. He also teaches and promotes making good and quality contributions to OpenStreetMap. He has been consistent in detailed mapping of Kumasi and the Ashanti Region of Ghana, from POIs to landuse areas. Samuel is one of the few contributors that have created changesets each day for over 3 years.
• Libor Bednarik , Libor Bednarik is a very active humanitarian mapper and he contributes into OSM on daily basis since 2018! He motivated many new people into OSM, shared his knowledge and experience with others and I think he deserves to be more seen in the global OSM community. According to stats on Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team Tasking Manager he created over 1.3 million buildings, 6.6 thousands km of roads and 1.9 thousands km of waterways. He is always picking the most challenging types of projects on HOT TM where he excels thanks to his years long experiences. His mapping quality is always top notch and if you think something should be mapped in a different way he is always very glad and open to discuss.

Expanding the Community Award

For efforts in expanding the community. Not only geographically, but also in diversity, into humanitarian sector or government.

• Marco Minghini , Marco Minghini for his contribution to building and sustaining a global academic network around OpenStreetMap. Over the years, Marco has played a key role in connecting the academic world with the OSM community, particularly through his leadership and coordination of the academic track at the State of the Map conferences. He has helped create a space where researchers from all over the world can present, collaborate, and share ideas that both draw from and give back to the OSM ecosystem. Marco’s work has amplified OSM’s credibility in scientific research, public policy, and education — especially within the European Commission, where he now works at the Joint Research Centre (JRC). His efforts go beyond advocacy: he contributes hands-on to data, tools, and applications that benefit the wider OSM community. Thanks to his tireless efforts, an entire team of researchers, institutions, and students now sees OpenStreetMap not just as a dataset, but as a collaborative digital commons. Marco’s work exemplifies how long-term commitment and quiet leadership can turn individual passion into collective progress.
• Sawan Shariar , Sawan is one of the top mappers/contributors in OSM from Bangladesh. But his track record in contributing to community development, especially promoting & advocating OSM to the youth/students in the South Asia region, is phenomenal. He has been serving as a regional ambassador and technical focal point for YouthMappers, with a country focus in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Srilanka, and Myanmar. In last 05 years he has introduced new YouthMappers chapters in more than 20 educational institutes throughout the region, while mentoring more than a dozen others. He has conducted and facilitated more than 100 training sessions/workshops/mapathons, coordinated national & regional events like the YouthMappers Bangladesh Summit 2023 & 2024, the State of the Map Asia & State of the Map Bangladesh 2019 & 2024, and facilitated a couple of dozen other external trainings on OSM organized by multiple organizations, groups & institutes. Overall, he has been one of the key activists & influencers of OSM in youth & academia in the region and has become a role model example to the OSM youth both in the region & the globe.
• Jannie Fleur V. Oraño , Jannie Fleur Oraño has been a driving force in growing the OpenStreetMap (OSM) community in the Philippines, particularly in Southern Leyte. Her passion for open mapping is evident in her work with both academic institutions and local government units (LGUs), where she has made OSM more accessible and widely used. One of her most impactful efforts was leading the “Building Resilience through Open Mapping Tools” project. In this initiative, Jannie took the lead in organizing and delivering training sessions for LGU staff. She introduced participants to the basics of OSM and guided them on how to use it effectively in Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) and Comprehensive Land Use Planning (CLUP). Her hands-on approach helped local communities map their own areas using local knowledge, strengthening disaster preparedness and planning efforts. Aside from her work with LGUs, Jannie also invests in mentoring students and fellow advocates. She consistently promotes the use of open geospatial data as a powerful tool for sustainable development. Her dedication has encouraged more people across various sectors, to get involved with OSM and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Through her teaching, and community engagement, Jannie Fleur Oraño continues to expand the OSM network and inspire others to take part in open mapping. Her work exemplifies inclusive and community-centered growth in the open mapping movement.
• Mikko Tamura , It's often said that true growth is evident in the communities we build. Imagine vibrant communities born from a genuine, selfless response to a shared need—like the call for better, more usable open geospatial data. These are groups that have organically grown from the hearts of individuals willing to be part of something larger than themselves. A great community builder inspires this kind of collective spirit and shared purpose. Mikko embodies this spirit. Heeding the call, he tirelessly worked to establish new OSM communities and nurture existing ones across the Asia-Pacific region. He envisioned creating a network of OSM experts, bestowing upon them the title of Open Mapping Gurus—a recognition fitting the honor they bring to the wider OSM community. Mikko invested considerable effort in building their trust, honing their skills, and fostering an environment of mutual respect and love for the community among the Gurus. Aside from being a steadfast advocate for the OSM community, he is also an active member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and even the community of fur parents. Wherever Mikko goes, he carries his advocacies with him, ensuring that everyone around him feels celebrated and genuinely welcomed. What truly sets Mikko apart is his unwavering selflessness. He operates with complete transparency, actively empowering everyone to flourish alongside him. That's why this vote isn't just for Mikko; it's a vote for those he represents and the communities who stand with him in his mission.

Team Achievement Award

For outstanding achievement in mapping, providing data or bringing the OpenStreetMap community together. Awarded to commercial companies, non-profits, government organizations and volunteer groups.

• UP Resilience Institute YouthMappers , UPRI YouthMappers have consistently shown what it means to use open mapping for public service. Over the years, they’ve worked with diverse communities such as OpenStreetMap-Philippines, Open Mapping Hub-Asia Pacific, Mapillary/Meta, TomTom, Karta, UN Mappers, and Grab-Philippines, to grassroots partners like Buklod Tao and Tiklop Society of the Philippines—always grounding their work in development needs and addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals. They’ve promoted a holistic practice of mapping that brings together disaster resilience, sustainable mobility, education, and youth leadership. Their flagship projects including PedalMap, developed during the Open Data Day celebration in 2024, was recently recognized through the Gawad Pangulo sa Natatanging Organisasyong Pangmag-aaral, the highest distinction for student organizations in the University of the Philippines. More than just producing maps, they build relationships, mentor young mappers, and push for inclusive use of open data in governance and community planning. Their impact is steady, collaborative, and deeply rooted in service.
• HeiGIT , With their work HeiGIT bridges the gap between fundamental research in geoinformatics and practical applications by developing innovative tools and methods. In almost all of their work OpenStreetMap is central. Summing up some of the great tools they developed over the years: openrouteservice, ohsome Dashboard, MapSwipe, and Sketchmap Tool.
• OSM Latam Community , The Latin American OpenStreetMap community has been working on various issues and has several community achievements to show: - It has organized two successful SotM Latam events after a five-year hiatus. - It has begun organizing SotM events by country, as is the case in Brazil and Argentina. - It has revitalized the topic of Notes in OSM, organizing notathons and resolving years-old notes. It has also reviewed their relevance and improved their usage procedures. - It has reactivated inactive communities OSM communities in countries such as Ecuador, Bolivia, Guatemala, and others. - National communities such as those of Colombia, Peru and Ecuador have mobilized on the occasion of national mapathons in disaster risk prevention, with critical young leadership.
• Grab Maps , For the development of the lightweight KartaCam 2 camera specifically designed for mapping for OpenStreetMap. And for making all their 360° imagery freely available on their platform KartaView.

Ulf Möller Memorial Award

To individual contributors for making a difference to the OpenStreetMap project, through good mapping, benefit to the community and other improvements to the OSM. Any member who's been active at any time since 2004 is eligible for this award.

• Sawan Shariar , Sawan is one of the top mappers/contributors in OSM from Bangladesh. But his track record in contributing to community development, especially promoting & advocating OSM to the youth/students in the South Asia region, is phenomenal. He has been serving as a regional ambassador and technical focal point for YouthMappers, with a country focus in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Srilanka, and Myanmar. In last 05 years he has introduced new YouthMappers chapters in more than 20 educational institutes throughout the region, while mentoring more than a dozen others. He has conducted and facilitated more than 100 training sessions/workshops/mapathons, coordinated national & regional events like the YouthMappers Bangladesh Summit 2023 & 2024, the State of the Map Asia & State of the Map Bangladesh 2019 & 2024, and facilitated a couple of dozen other external trainings on OSM organized by multiple organizations, groups & institutes. Overall, he has been one of the key activists & influencers of OSM in youth & academia in the region and has become a role model example to the OSM youth both in the region & the globe.
• Geoffrey Katterega , If you ask anyone mapping in Africa, they will know Geoffrey. He started contributing to OpenStreetMap in 2012 and has since than made it a personal mission to grow OpenStreetMap on his continent. He is a founder and leader of OpenStreetMap Africa, a network of local communities across Africa working together to organize the bi-annual State of the Map Africa conference.
• Tom Hughes , Tom has been one of the project’s most consistent technical contributors. As a maintainer of the openstreetmap.org website, he has ensured its reliability and continued development, often responding to bugs and pull requests at all hours. His work has enabled millions of users to interact with the map and data. Beyond his development contributions, Tom has quietly contributed his expertise to the sysadmin tasks that keep the OSM infrastructure running: maintaining servers, coordinating with other sysadmins, and participating in countless discussions to ensure our operations are stable and sustainable. His work is a model of reliability, competence, and public service.
• Maggie Cawley , Maggie is the executive director for OSM US, leading their work in working with various stakeholders. In her role, Maggie works to engage, support, and grow OSM and its community across the United States through advocacy, education, and events like the annual State of the Map US! She has served in various roles for the community, including being a board member for TeachOSM and leading the Community Working Group.