The project will create a Volunteer Technical Community (VTC) by training and mobilizing Nigerien students in ‘collaborative open source humanitarian mapping’ to increase inclusive information sharing in crisis preparedness, international solidarity and citizen agency through targeted digital capacity building and outreach. The VTC will then engage key humanitarian actors in Niger to contribute to OpenStreetMap, a free online mapping tool.
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
Describe the specific community with whom you will be working.
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
The project participants will work on digital mapping in Niamey and surrounding areas through distance mapping and field surveys, as well as contributing to the map of neighboring countries facing difficult situations. They will create and contribute to the project’s blog, Twitter and Facebook page with regular updates, photos and videos to participate in a global dialogue and advocate for free and transparent information.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established that will contribute to the success of the project.
Strong partnership and on-line support can be expected from Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, with their Geographical Information System experts and Volunteer Technical Community. With their existing support, the project plans to work together with humanitarian actors, such as OCHA, WFP or UNHCR, as well as students and academics of the Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey and the Centre Régional Agrhymet.
How many participants do you think will be involved in your project?
The initial trainings will be held for 15 students and academics, who will create the core team. They will be responsible not only to contribute to the online map on OpenStreetMap, but also to organize and facilitate trainings of future participating students and organizations and share their experiences on-line. Altogether, throughout the year, the team will to train over 100 people on the basics of mapping and social media.
Besides the microgrant funding, what other resources and support are you seeking for your project to ensure its success?
Besides the microgrant funding, technical support and consultation with specialists working on social media promotion and advocacy, as well as connection with former Rising Voices mapping grantees would be a valuable contribution to ensure the success of the project.
Organization
Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team
2 comments
Very Smart!
Wow, this is a great idea! I work for an NGO ‘Search for Common Ground’ on a USAID project here in Niger and we focus on youth. One of the big issues we see with youth here is that they lack employable skills, and a platform to express themselves. This project is a great means to provide both. The GPS/ mapping component is particularly meaningful as it contributes to local development initiatives, and encourages advocacy. This is a really great initiative. Well done, and good luck!!