OSM Awards 2025

Mikko is dedicated in expanding the coverage of OSM and its use case on all aspects of the community

has strong leadership skills, guiding teams toward achieving goals through collaboration, motivation, and effective communication.

has strong leadership skill, guiding teams toward achieving goals through collaboration, motivation and effective communication.

I first met Mikko through the 'She Leads and She Inspires' program, and he’s been a joy to know ever since. The way he connects with people and makes them feel the warmth of a true mentor is genuinely inspiring. His dedication to the community is unmatched. There hasn’t been a single time he didn’t respond or help clear up confusion. As a mentor, he guides with patience and without judgment. I sincerely hope he wins — he truly deserves it.

I first met Mikko through the 'She Leads and She Inspires' program, and he’s been a joy to know ever since. The way he connects with people and makes them feel the warmth of a true mentor is genuinely inspiring. His dedication to the community is unmatched. There hasn’t been a single time he didn’t respond or help clear up confusion. As a mentor, he guides with patience and without judgment. I sincerely hope he wins — he truly deserves it.

It's often said that true growth is evident in the communities we build. Imagine vibrant communities born from a genuine, selfless response to a shared need—like the call for better, more usable open geospatial data. These are groups that have organically grown from the hearts of individuals willing to be part of something larger than themselves. A great community builder inspires this kind of collective spirit and shared purpose.

Mikko embodies this spirit. Heeding the call, he tirelessly worked to establish new OSM communities and nurture existing ones across the Asia-Pacific region. He envisioned creating a network of OSM experts, bestowing upon them the title of Open Mapping Gurus—a recognition fitting the honor they bring to the wider OSM community. Mikko invested considerable effort in building their trust, honing their skills, and fostering an environment of mutual respect and love for the community among the Gurus.

Aside from being a steadfast advocate for the OSM community, he is also an active member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and even the community of fur parents. Wherever Mikko goes, he carries his advocacies with him, ensuring that everyone around him feels celebrated and genuinely welcomed.

What truly sets Mikko apart is his unwavering selflessness. He operates with complete transparency, actively empowering everyone to flourish alongside him. That's why this vote isn't just for Mikko; it's a vote for those he represents and the communities who stand with him in his mission.
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Mikko Tamura has helped many people across Asia-Pacific, including in Bangladesh, to get involved in OpenStreetMap. He supports local communities, teaches mapping, and makes sure everyone feels included. His work has made the OSM community stronger and more diverse. He has helped me personally and always shares opportunities with youth. He is also very friendly and inspiring.

I have worked with Mikko through my student organization, in making OSM more known to young people in the Philippines. He has also actively organized trainings and get-togethers for OSM contributors; some of which I was able to participate in. Over all, Mikko has been an impactful individual in the OSM Philippines community.

I would like to nominate Mikko Tamura - the driving fuel of OSM specially across Asia and who have been uplifting OSM Communities across Asia and globe. I guess there is no day spent by Mikko where he didn't talk/advocate, or contribute to the OSM and its community. I have seen him contributing in OSM Since 6 years and still he have the power and energy to drive this community. I consider him the synonym of OSM Community, engagement and wider expansion, this is why I wholeheartly support Mikko for Community Award.
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Led MapBeks with various community in using OSM’s web map features that edits, add, and delete geometry features and its various corresponding topological features under the defined quality and set of data that is utilizing WGS 1984 in the Philippine Coordinate Reference System (CRS).

Led MapBeks with various community in using OSM’s web map features that edits, add, and delete geometry features and its various corresponding topological features under the defined quality and set of data that is utilizing WGS 1984 in the Philippine Coordinate Reference System (CRS).

Mikko was really instrumental in expanding the OSM community in Asia. Specifically he contributed and led the establishment of new chapters in West Asia.

He has contributed to engage in the community development for local community mapping. His contribution is valuable for future generations.
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Mikko has been vital perison in growing the OpenStreetMap community across the south-east asia through outreach, and leading mapping events. His dedication to building partnerships with new chapter and his passion for open mapping have empowered countless contributors and expanded the reach of the OSM movement in the region.

Mikko has in someway supported and empowered each and every nominee in the Expanding the Community Award. Truly deserving of this award. His/Her/Their efforts not only shines through working with new OSM contributors in the Asia Pacific region but also with experienced mappers and community builders within and outside of HOTOSM.

Mikko Tamura has expanded the OSM Asia community as well as expanded inclusivity in OpenStreetMap, making space for, empowering and training underrepresented groups in the community.
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I feel honored to continue supporting and recommending Prativa Thapa, who is currently leading the KU YouthMappers chapter as its President. Prativa’s leadership has been nothing short of exceptional, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the OSM community and its growth.
Under her guidance, KU YouthMappers organized a highly successful Mapping Week in collaboration with TomTom from April 18 2025 to 5 April 2025. This event was an impressive showcase of Prativa's organizational prowess, bringing together a wide range of contributors and creating an opportunity for mapping enthusiasts to make tangible contributions to open mapping. The event was an excellent example of how a dedicated leader can mobilize resources and people to make a significant impact to the open mapping community.
In addition to her leadership skills, Prativa has been a top contributor in various Mapping Challenges, showcasing her technical mapping expertise and problem-solving abilities. Her hands-on experience in mapping challenges has enabled her to be a mentor to many, guiding fellow youth through the process and encouraging them to be involved in open mapping efforts. Her dedication to both leadership and hands-on involvement in the mapping community sets her apart as a true role model.
Prativa’s remarkable journey from being a first-semester student to now leading the KU YouthMappers chapter exemplifies her passion for open mapping and her ability to inspire others. She has not only contributed significantly to expanding women-led mapping initiatives but has also been a driving force in bringing together diverse groups for a common cause in the OSM community.
As a passionate advocate for OSM, Prativa is undeniably a leader of the future. I am confident that she will continue to inspire and lead with great success, and I look forward to seeing the lasting impact she will make in the world of geomatics and open mapping.
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The Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) has played a pivotal role in expanding the global OpenStreetMap community, particularly in regions historically underrepresented in digital mapping. Through initiatives like the Open Mapping Hub network in Asia-Pacific, Eastern and Southern Africa, West and Northern Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean, HOT has supported hundreds of local organizations and communities to learn OSM skills and apply open mapping for resilience, advocacy, and development.

HOT’s investment in the youth, women-led initiatives, local volunteers, and open-source contributors has helped grow a diverse and sustainable OSM ecosystem. Their training programs, microgrants, fellowship opportunities, and support during humanitarian crises have enabled tens of thousands of new mappers to join and thrive in the OpenStreetMap project.

HOT's work goes beyond mapping, it's about capacity building, community empowerment, and inclusion. HOT's work has helped expand, diversify, and strengthen the global OpenStreetMap community.
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she is geomatics engineering student at kathmandu university.firstly she participate openly in osm after becoming trainer,om guru top notchers she diverse club from department of geomatics engineering to kathmandu university by leading and introducing mapping week for first time in nepal to give knowledge to all background student.she just work and support every country task.she is president of our club ku youthmappers.she just collab with bangladesh youthmapper club formally to support bangladesh mapping and she have plan with tomtom for august to work on india map in maprolutte 1 month mapathon and she have working aafno thau aafai banau campaign to trained different governement bodies within nepal
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Currently working with GeoTE Tanzania as a GIS and Open Mapping Manager. I actively train students from various universities across Tanzania through Field Practical Training (FPT) programs organized in collaboration with university partners. In addition, I support the development of YouthMappers chapters nationwide by facilitating both in-person training sessions and online mapathons or events. I also participate regularly in the monthly OpenStreetMap (OSM) Africa mapathons, contributing to open mapping initiatives across the continent.
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Prativa Thapa is a passionate mapper and community builder who has significantly expanded the OSM community in Nepal. As the founder and first president of the Kathmandu University YouthMappers Chapter, she led impactful initiatives such as GES Mapping Week 2025, mobilizing students from diverse backgrounds to map for humanitarian and environmental causes. Starting alone as a self-taught mapper, she transformed her curiosity into a movement uniting students and building awareness of OSM’s power for social good. Prativa’s influence extends beyond Nepal; she actively participates in African-led projects, such as the Nigeria mapping initiative and Tanzanian virtual mapathons. Her inclusive leadership, cross-border collaborations, and commitment to empowering women and youth through mapping have helped build a more resilient and connected OSM community. Prativa continues to inspire others to lead from where they are, proving that meaningful change begins with a single step and a shared map.
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The Latin American OpenStreetMap community has been working on various issues and has several community achievements to show:
- It has organized two successful SotM Latam events after a five-year hiatus.
- It has begun organizing SotM events by country, as is the case in Brazil and Argentina.
- It has revitalized the topic of Notes in OSM, organizing notathons and resolving years-old notes. It has also reviewed their relevance and improved their usage procedures.
- It has reactivated inactive communities OSM communities in countries such as Ecuador, Bolivia, Guatemala, and others.
-National communities such as those of Colombia, Peru and Ecuador have mobilized on the occasion of national mapathons in disaster risk prevention, with critical young leadership.

https://www.osmlatam.org/equipo-osmlatam/
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He created a new version of the "Meet Your Mappers tool" that lets you discover active mappers around you.
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Jannie Fleur Oraño has been a driving force in growing the OpenStreetMap (OSM) community in the Philippines, particularly in Southern Leyte. Her passion for open mapping is evident in her work with both academic institutions and local government units (LGUs), where she has made OSM more accessible and widely used.

One of her most impactful efforts was leading the “Building Resilience through Open Mapping Tools” project. In this initiative, Jannie took the lead in organizing and delivering training sessions for LGU staff. She introduced participants to the basics of OSM and guided them on how to use it effectively in Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) and Comprehensive Land Use Planning (CLUP). Her hands-on approach helped local communities map their own areas using local knowledge, strengthening disaster preparedness and planning efforts.

Aside from her work with LGUs, Jannie also invests in mentoring students and fellow advocates. She consistently promotes the use of open geospatial data as a powerful tool for sustainable development. Her dedication has encouraged more people across various sectors, to get involved with OSM and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Through her teaching, and community engagement, Jannie Fleur Oraño continues to expand the OSM network and inspire others to take part in open mapping. Her work exemplifies inclusive and community-centered growth in the open mapping movement.

Jannie Fleur Oraño has been a driving force in growing the OpenStreetMap (OSM) community in the Philippines, particularly in Southern Leyte. Her passion for open mapping is evident in her work with both academic institutions and local government units (LGUs), where she has made OSM more accessible and widely used.

One of her most impactful efforts was leading the “Building Resilience through Open Mapping Tools” project. In this initiative, Jannie took the lead in organizing and delivering training sessions for LGU staff. She introduced participants to the basics of OSM and guided them on how to use it effectively in Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) and Comprehensive Land Use Planning (CLUP). Her hands-on approach helped local communities map their own areas using local knowledge, strengthening disaster preparedness and planning efforts.

Aside from her work with LGUs, Jannie also invests in mentoring students and fellow advocates. She consistently promotes the use of open geospatial data as a powerful tool for sustainable development. Her dedication has encouraged more people across various sectors, to get involved with OSM and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Through her teaching, and community engagement, Jannie Fleur Oraño continues to expand the OSM network and inspire others to take part in open mapping. Her work exemplifies inclusive and community-centered growth in the open mapping movement.
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The Southern Leyte State U YouthMappers is a standout example of a youth-led organization that has meaningfully expanded the OpenStreetMap (OSM) community—not only geographically, but also by fostering diversity, engaging government stakeholders, and contributing to humanitarian efforts. As the first organization in Asia funded by the EU Green Diplomacy Week for their flagship initiative, “Map for Climate,” the chapter mobilized over 120 mappers to contribute open geospatial data on climate-vulnerable areas, strengthening both youth participation and environmental advocacy. They actively bridged the gap between academia and government by training municipal personnel through their award-winning project “Building Resilience through Open Mapping Tools,” introducing OSM to local government planning for CDRA and CLUP. They have extended their reach across sectors, collaborating with humanitarian platforms like HOTOSM in response to the 2025 Myanmar earthquake, and regularly working with national mapping networks such as Mapakalamidad.ph to promote inclusivity and civic technology. Through these efforts, the chapter has significantly expanded the OSM community in the Philippines by empowering underrepresented voices, engaging decision-makers, and anchoring mapping as a tool for resilience, inclusion, and progress.
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Jannie Fleur Oraño is a passionate open mapping advocate from the Philippines who has significantly contributed to promoting OpenStreetMap (OSM) among local government units and academic communities in Southern Leyte and even beyond. She played a leading role in the “Building Resilience through Open Mapping Tools” project, where she personally conducted training sessions for LGU personnel—introducing them to OSM and demonstrating its practical use in Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) and Comprehensive Land Use Planning (CLUP). Through her leadership, local stakeholders were empowered to map their own communities using firsthand knowledge, enabling more effective planning and disaster preparedness. Beyond this initiative, Jannie has actively mentored students and colleagues, advocating the value of open geospatial data for sustainable development. Her efforts continue to influence OSM adoption across sectors, making her a strong example of community-centered leadership in open mapping.
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Sawan is one of the top mappers/contributors in OSM from Bangladesh. But his track record in contributing to community development, especially promoting & advocating OSM to the youth/students in the South Asia region, is phenomenal. He has been serving as a regional ambassador and technical focal point for YouthMappers, with a country focus in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Srilanka, and Myanmar. In last 05 years he has introduced new YouthMappers chapters in more than 20 educational institutes throughout the region, while mentoring more than a dozen others. He has conducted and facilitated more than 100 training sessions/workshops/mapathons, coordinated national & regional events like the YouthMappers Bangladesh Summit 2023 & 2024, the State of the Map Asia & State of the Map Bangladesh 2019 & 2024, and facilitated a couple of dozen other external trainings on OSM organized by multiple organizations, groups & institutes. Overall, he has been one of the key activists & influencers of OSM in youth & academia in the region and has become a role model example to the OSM youth both in the region & the globe.
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Contrapunctus has started conducting monthly mapping parties since around January 2024. Through this they have built a strong community in Delhi. Now they are shifting their focus to Mumbai, so that older members of OSM Delhi can instead take over the responsibility of Delhi parties.
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As the Community Manager for Asia at HOT, he has done outstanding work in expanding the reach of the Open Mapping Hub and advancing the Open Mapping Guru initiative.
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