For years, I’ve been an active contributor to OpenStreetMap (OSM) – starting as a mapper in college (2017) and evolving into a trainer, leading over 30 trainings and reaching more than 1500 people. Recently, I took my commitment to the next level as a Trainer Fellow with Open Mapping Hub Asia Pacific (OMH AP). This 5-month journey wasn’t just about delivering training; it was about wearing a new hat – that of an organizer.

The Guru fellowship involved five trainings, including three online, one in-person (which I’ll delve into), and one where I acted as a support trainer. While every training experience is unique, this in-person workshop held a special place.

The in-person training titled “Map and Chat: Open Mapping Hands-on Workshop for DRR 2024”, held on April 28-29 2024, was designed for bachelor students with diverse backgrounds in Kathmandu, Nepal, in collaboration with Open Mapping Hub Asia-Pacific, Sendai Stakeholders Children and Youth Group, UN Major Group for Children and Youth (UNMGCY) and ALIN Foundation Nepal. The workshop aimed to equip them with hands-on open mapping tools and knowledge for disaster risk reduction (DRR).

Stepping Up: The Organizer’s Hat

While I was accustomed to crafting training materials and schedules, organizing demanded a whole new set of skills. The in-person aspect brought a new layer of complexity of logistics. Suddenly, I was creating Google Forms, counting water bottles and pens, designing posters and certificates, budgeting and managing finances and also analyzing participants’ backgrounds to tailor content effectively (as I usually do as a trainer. Gone were the days of solely focusing on the curriculum.)

The two-day workshop started with an introduction to open mapping tools and DRR concepts. The 22 participants came from diverse backgrounds – public health, agriculture, environmental science, and more. We provided training on both remote and field mapping techniques. Day two focused on solidifying knowledge through quizzes and interactive group discussions focusing on how OSM data could benefit their specific fields, mapping for DRR preparation and response, and how to attract more volunteers from their diverse backgrounds.

The highlight of the workshop and my favourite moment was seeing the participants present their ideas after the group discussions. It was a testament to their newfound skills and how they could be applied in their respective disciplines.

Following the training, a group of participants participated in a week-long mapathon focusing on DRR. They mapped areas affected by floods, and landslides, and contributed to various global projects remotely. The collective effort resulted in mapping over 4000 buildings and 250 km of roads – a testament to the power of this initiative and the impact extended beyond the mere workshop.

A Transformative Experience

This fellowship experience was really transformative. I didn’t just organize and lead the training – I facilitated a pathway for participants to create a tangible impact (mapping over 4000 buildings and 250 km roads ). As a proud outcome, I’ve also developed an interdisciplinary training module that’s adaptable and replicable, making it easier to train interdisciplinary participants in the future. A big thank you to Open Mapping Hub Asia Pacific and Mikko, OM Guru Rabina, training requestor/co-organiser Sagar, venue partner King’s College and everyone involved in making this possible. I am now even more excited to continue promoting open mapping and empowering others to contribute.