Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content

Co-creating the UN Mappers Ambassadors and Chapters Initiative

Submitted by michael.montani on
Building upon the success and  best practices of other open mapping communities, we are exploring to set up a UN Mappers Ambassadors and Chapter initiative to expand the community and establish a community-owned data production and  sustainability.
 
Since our April Mappy Hour, we have been conducting co-creation sessions with the community to brainstorm how we can grow the UN Mappers community and exchange opinions about the UN Mappers Ambassadors and Chapter initiative. The co-creation process will run from May to June 2025. Read below for key takeaways and updates about the initiative.
 
Our concept
UN Mappers Ambassadors

We envision the UN Mappers Ambassador to be similar to the YouthMappers Regional Ambassadors. UN Mappers Ambassadors are exceptionally recognized UN Mappers who champion UN Maps’ mission and community building. Potentially, they will support field mapping activities as well as serve as community engagers and UN Mappers representatives who will lead on building UN Mappers Chapter communities.

UN Mappers Chapters

UN Mappers Chapters are local UN Mappers collectives who contributes to UN Maps’ data production and promotes the power of open data in their communities. Potentially, the Chapters are composed of contributors in their local area and where UN Maps missions are.

How you can get involved

There are lots of motivation and enthusiasm from the community to take part in the co-creation process as well as participating in building the UN Mappers community. Join our #un-mappers-chapters-discussion channel in our Discord server to participate or register to our upcoming Mappy Hours to share your ideas!

April 2025 Mappy Hour

In April, we have a breakout room to brainstorm ideas in community building. We also shared our motivation and initial impression about the Ambassadors/Chapters initiative.

  • Sharing of motivation: what brought you here?
    • to network and discuss ideas,
    • learn about maps and utilize data,
  • Ideas and brainstorming  
    • collaborate with orgs and local communities,
    • different stakeholders shared they are happy to host community activities,
    • training and learning activities on data production and utilization,
    • Ambassadors: what will be their role, how will they work with UN, scope, language barrier,
    • Local Chapters: great to have and solving community problems with localized geospatial data
April 2025 collaborative board
 
May 2025 Mappy Hour
We dedicated our May Mappy Hour for a deep dive about the UN Mappers Ambassadors / Chapters initiative. Before the session, we share the draft concept note to the community so they are aware about the idea and prepared to share their inputs.
 
The discussion was guided by four main questions:
  1. What similar initiatives in community building do you know of / fond of?
  2. What would encourage you to participate in the Ambassadors / Chapters Initiative?
  3. What are barriers to access?
  4. What other factors do we need to consider for this initiative?
May 2025 collaborative board

 

What is next?

Moving forward, the community inputs and feedback from the co-creation sessions will be considered and inform the UN Mappers Ambassadors / Chapters Plan (or programme design). We will share the plan with the community and enable feedback.

Discussions and consultations with other geo-communities with similar programs such as YouthMappers are planned as well as engagements with local UN Staff in areas of operations.

A pilot experimentation is expected to be rolled out this year.

Do you have any ideas?

Join our #un-mappers-chapters-discussion channel in our Discord server to participate or register to our upcoming Mappy Hours to share your feedback!

Tags

Quicklinks