WE DON'T JUST BUILD MAPS.
WE BUILD MAPPERS.
Capitalizing on web-based open geospatial technologies, and a network of universities around the globe, our mission is to cultivate a generation of young leaders to create resilient communities and to define their world by mapping it.
Estimated number of people covered by
improved open geographic data generated by YouthMappers mapping campaigns.
67,832,885
YouthMappers at 10:
A Decade of Mapping for Impact
On November 17, 2025, YouthMappers marks its 10th anniversary: a decade of empowering young people worldwide to create and use open mapping and geospatial technologies for good.
What began in 2015 as a bold idea has grown into a global movement: thousands of students, more than 400 university chapters, across 80+ countries, contributing over 26 million OpenStreetMap edits that have impacted the lives of 68 million people. Together, we’ve built maps that save lives, advance sustainable development, and strengthen resilience in the face of global challenges. More than maps, we’ve built a thriving, connected community of passionate, skilled, and socially driven leaders.
This anniversary is not just about looking back—it’s about coming together to reflect, connect, and be inspired for what comes next. To celebrate this milestone, we’ll host in-person and virtual celebrations, launch special mapping campaigns, and highlight the voices and stories of the people who make YouthMappers what it is today.
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WHAT WE ARE MAPPING NOW
Open Mapping towards Sustainable Development Goals
Voices of YouthMappers on Community Engaged Scholarship
This collection amplifies the experiences of some of the world’s young people who are working to address SDGs using geospatial technologies and multi-national collaboration. Authors from every region of the world who have emerged as leaders in the YouthMappers movement share their perspectives and knowledge in an accessible and peer-friendly format. YouthMappers are university students who create and use open mapping for development and humanitarian purposes. Their work leverages digital innovations - both geospatial platforms and communications technologies - to answer the call for leadership to address sustainability challenges.
Download an open access copy of our new book.
