Collaborative Mapping and Open-source Tools Training with UN Mappers

On 24–25 August 2026, BCL (Biodiversity Conservation for Life) and UN Mappers held a two-day training workshop on collaborative mapping and open-source tools in Kribi, South Region of Cameroon. Delivered under the UN Maps Community Ambassadors Initiative, the workshop aimed to strengthen local capacity to produce open geospatial data in support of local development, biodiversity conservation and the humanitarian action of the United Nations.

The first day introduced UN Mappers and the OpenStreetMap ecosystem, guided the creation of contributor accounts and ran a mapathon. The second day focused on field mapping: collecting real data with ChatMap, then visualising and publishing it as interactive maps with uMap.

The workshop mobilised 37 participants on the first day and 27 on the second, enabled the creation of 22 OpenStreetMap accounts, the formation of 5 thematic groups and the publication of 5 interactive maps covering Kribi’s urban living environment. These outcomes lay the groundwork for a local mapping community and for the envisaged creation of a UN Mappers Chapter in Cameroon.

Results at a glance

Context and objectives

Partnership framework

The workshop is part of the partnership between BCL and UN Mappers under the UN Maps Ambassadors Programme. This programme explores the deployment of open-mapping Chapters and Hubs, contributing to the humanitarian efforts of the United Nations through the production of open geospatial data. The Kribi area — a fast-growing coastline with a deep-water port and sensitive coastal ecosystems — has strong needs for better geospatial knowledge of its territory.

Workshop objectives

• Introduce the UN Mappers initiative, its mandate and its missions in Cameroon;

• Familiarise participants with the OpenStreetMap ecosystem and guide the creation of contributor accounts;

• Train participants in field data collection with ChatMap;

• Train participants in importing, styling and publishing interactive maps with uMap;

• Produce a real dataset and published maps for the Kribi area.

Day 1 — Discovering UN Mappers and remote mapping

Proceedings

The first day began at 09:20 with a welcome by BCL’s executive secretary, followed by a presentation of UN Mappers — its role in supporting the humanitarian missions of the United Nations and its initiatives in Cameroon — and of the OpenStreetMap ecosystem in its technical and collaborative dimensions. The sessions were led by Mr Modo Levo Engelbert, land surveyor-topographer and technical representative, assisted by Mr Thate Tateu Sylvain, forestry engineer.

Turnout exceeded expectations, with 37 people: BCL interns, NGOs, BCL members, public-administration staff and researchers from the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD).

Session in the IRAD conference room, Kribi.  Source: Field Mapping BCL Training, Kribi, 2026.

OSM account creation. 22 OpenStreetMap accounts were created and activated — a first milestone towards a local community of contributors.

Mapathon — Cameroon–Nigeria project. In the afternoon, participants contributed to the Cameroon–Nigeria project via the HOT Tasking Manager, digitising buildings and roads from satellite imagery — tangible contributions from day one.

Day 1 results

Day 2 — Field mapping with ChatMap and uMap

The second day, which began at 08:40 with a presentation of BCL and its activities, was devoted to the hands-on use of collection and visualisation tools. The 27 participants were divided into 5 thematic groups related to Kribi’s urban living environment; each group appointed a group leader and created a dedicated WhatsApp group to coordinate collection beyond the workshop.

Thematic group formation

Field collection in Mokolo (ChatMap)

Following an introduction to ChatMap (principles of geospatial data collection, interface and form creation), the groups deployed to the field in the Mokolo neighbourhood of Kribi. Each group geolocated and documented the features of its theme via WhatsApp. The data were then compiled, cleaned and verified as a group.

Field data collection in Mokolo (Kribi) with ChatMap.  Source: Field Mapping BCL Training, Kribi, 2026.

Visualisation and publishing (uMap)

The afternoon was devoted to uMap. Participants learned to create interactive maps, import their ChatMap data and style it (colours, legends, pop-ups). Each group finalised and published its map, then shared the generated uMap link.

Getting started with Josm and mapping by the groups.  Source: remote  Mapping BCL Training, Kribi, 2026.

Deliverables — published interactive maps

Five interactive maps were produced and published, one per theme. Together with the ChatMap datasets, they constitute the tangible deliverables of the workshop.

Group 1 — Condition of drainage ditches

Published map:  https://umap.hotosm.org/fr/map/chatmap_3755

Group 2 — Water points

Published map:  https://umap.hotosm.org/fr/map/cartographie_pointdeau_kribimokolo_3766

Group 3 — Public lighting

Published map:  https://umap.hotosm.org/fr/map/cartographie_de-leclairage-publique_-kribi-quatier_3754#17/2.944085/9.907726

Group 4 — Waste dumps

Published map:  https://umap.hotosm.org/fr/map/cartographie_tas_dorduremokolo_3763

Group 5 — Electricity poles

Published map:  https://umap.hotosm.org/fr/map/cartographie_des_poteaux_electriques_kribimokolo_3761

Day 2 results

Lessons learned and recommendations

Strong turnout, combined with largely internal resources, highlighted several areas for improvement. They are summarised below, from observation to operational recommendation.

Overall assessment

Conclusion and outlook

The Kribi workshop, organised by BCL in partnership with UN Mappers on 24–25 August 2026, met its objectives. The strong turnout over both days reflects the genuine interest and need of local communities for participatory mapping tools.

The concrete results — 22 OSM accounts created, 5 thematic groups formed with their coordination channels, and field data collected and published as interactive maps — provide a solid basis for continuing open-mapping activities in Kribi and the South Region.

BCL and UN Mappers reaffirm their commitment to supporting this emerging momentum towards the establishment of a UN Mappers Chapter in Cameroon, in support of local development, biodiversity conservation and the humanitarian action of the United Nations.

Photo gallery

Group work, field collection and presentations.  Source: Field  and remote Mapping BCL Training, Kribi, 2026.

Full photo album:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/JuAWsLyCn4uAiUU89