Get Involved

What is OpenStreetMap?

Much of the world’s most vulnerable populations are not mapped, and this has its consequences. OpenStreetMap (OSM), is a free, editable map of the world that is being built by volunteers that seeks to close gaps in the map by allowing anyone to contribute to it. This map has been used for a variety of needs, including disaster response and relief, disease outbreaks, geographic education, and international development. Established in 2007 in the United Kingdom, it gained traction around 2010 following the devastating earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti and its uses have been growing since. Over the past several years, the Spatializing poverty project team and participating communities have been contributing to the map in order to have better base information, to provide a clearer image of their needs to policymakers and development organizations.

How do I Contribute?

Learn to map

LearnOSM provides step-by-step guides to contributing to OSM and using OSM data. Check out their guide here.

Use OSM in the Classroom

TeachOSM provides guides and resources for educators to use OSM in the classroom at all levels. Check out their training guide and case studies here.

Start Mapping

Already an experienced mapper? Contribute to current high priority tasks via the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team’s Tasking Manager.

Host a Map-a-thon

To host your own mapping workshop, or “map-a-thon”, visit the Missing Maps Project’s Guide for comprehensive, step-by-step instructions​ and materials.

Find more resources on how other organizations have been mapping poverty by visiting the Poverty Mapping Resources page.

Below are some before-and-after examples of how our participatory mapping projects in nine villages in three communes, Ait Ouassif, Ighil M’goun , Ikniouen, have created map data where there previously was none.