Foundation/AGM2025/Election to Board/Answers and manifestos/Manifestos
Roland Olbricht
About Me
I'm Roland Olbricht (drolbr). In OpenStreetMap, I'm best known for the Overpass API. I have developed it and maintain the public servers that are available now since more than thirteen years. I'm now also for some years member of the Engineering Working Group. In addition, I'm serving since almost four years as board member and in that role as the treasurer of the OpenStreetMap Foundation.
My largest mapping project so far has been to map and complete the about 1500 bus stops in my home city Wuppertal. For that purpose I have written (many years ago) the public_transport plugin for JOSM. Now my mapping interests are in particular on pedestrian routing. Part of the challenge there is to figure out what is actually relevant to map, thus communication on top of surveying and mapping.
I'm Dr. rer. nat. since 2008 for my works in Pure Mathematics. Since October 2014 I'm a software developer at Mentz in Münster (Westfalen), Germany. My business account is drolbr_mdv.
My day job is developing software for public transport ticketing: It is quite common in Germany that dozens of operators cooperate to offer a uniform combined tariff to the passengers. Thus, dealing with multiple stakeholders with often conflicting interests is part of my day job. And even more: helping out customers whose tariff data turns out to be so full of faults that it needs to be sanitized or completely rewritten, although the customer is sure its data is perfect. This is always a communication challenge.
Beside living in Wuppertal, Münster, Frankfurt and Bonn in Germany, I have also spent four months in Grenoble in France. So I'll answer mails in German, French, and English.
About OpenStreetMap
More important than my personal background is my understanding of OpenStreetMap: There are many sources of free data, and geo data in particular.
The heart of OSM is thus the mapper community. The data structures in OSM are designed to facilitate peer review, i.e. the mapped data is not so much the physical world but the consent how to interpret it. The On-the-Ground-Principle ensures that it is as close to the physical world as useful.
It also means that we offer a virtual venue to communicate about general purpose geodata, and to help out people who want to get done something new or specific. It also means that it is a place where a developer can make a real difference by helpful software.
In addition, OSM offers fine grained general purpose geo data in a worldwide uniform format, and means to stay always up to date. Thus, we are attracting data consumers as long as we ensure that the mapper community maintains the map.
Mappers get their positive feedback from applications where they can see that their contribution makes a difference. This is a task often overlooked by data consumers:
- Not all data consumers have the attribution as clear as we mappers require by the license.
- Very few data consumers tell explicitly which tag structures they process and which not. We see this even within the project by disputes over the map style rules for the default map.
- We are missing out many mappers, in particular from minorities, because there is no respective service that shows the data that really matters to the potential mappers.
Why Do I Candidate for the Board?
There are two competing paradigms about what the board should be:
- The expert paradigm: The assumption is that the voters should elect the super-experts of OSM, and that those do not have to take too serious working groups because the board members were anyway greater experts. It were ok to have a hierarchy of informedness.
- The trust paradigm: Voters should ensure that there are members on the board whom they trust that they represent their interests. Expert knowledge is more likely to indicate a conflict of interest than being a requirement.
I subscribe to the trust paradigm:
- Keep the trust: The board's communication is only open enough if the community has no doubts left.
- The experts are at working groups: The board will not override the (recent and conscious) decisions of active working groups. Beside working groups, reaching out for experts for ad hoc topics on the OSMF communication channels makes sense as well.
- Sustainable funding: Assure that OSM will remain here and stay independent for many years ahead.
I'm confident that I can speak up for developers in the OSM ecosystem and for many of the subgroups of mappers, but I'm aware that interests are diverse enough that conciliation like in the iD case may also be required. I'm happy to help data consumers to understand mapper's needs and OSM intrinsics.
I do on purpose refrain from stating strategic goals. The board has meanwhile completed the Strategic Plan. It is an act of good teamwork to let existing ideas flourish and getting things done within the trust paradigm instead of throwing in further ideas and completing none.
Brazil Singh
Read My Full Manifesto here: My OSM Diary
My name is Brazil Singh, and I am running for the OpenStreetMap Foundation Board with a simple, yet powerful vision. My journey with OpenStreetMap began not in a boardroom, but on the ground, in my home country of Bangladesh. I have seen firsthand the transformative power of a community-driven map, from helping local businesses optimize their routes to empowering slum communities to advocate for their needs. This experience has instilled in me a deep commitment to the core values of our project: collaboration, openness, and the belief that anyone, anywhere can contribute to a free and open map of the world. As an Open Mapping Guru, a YouthMappers Regional Ambassador, and an active member of the OSMF Communications and Local Chapters and Communities Working Groups, I have had the privilege of working with mappers from all corners of the globe. I have listened to your ideas, your concerns, and your aspirations for our project. And I believe that, together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant OpenStreetMap for generations to come. I am not a politician. I am a mapper, a community builder, and a passionate advocate for the power of open data. I am confident that my experience, my dedication, and my vision for the future of OpenStreetMap make me the right candidate to serve on the OSMF Board. But I cannot do this alone. I need your support, your ideas, and your vote. Let's work together to build a better future for OpenStreetMap.
Thank you for your consideration.
Brazil Singh
Daniela Waltersdorfer
Who Am I?
Hi, I’m Daniela Waltersdorfer, many know me as Dani. I’m originally from Lima, Peru, and currently based in Washington, D.C. Over the past two years, I’ve had the honor of serving on the OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF) Board, and I’m running for re-election to continue this work.
During my term, I’ve taken time to deeply understand the internal workings of the Foundation. I’ve led key initiatives, including organizing the Face-to-Face (F2F) Board meetings in Frankfurt (2024) and Milan (2025), even though I couldn’t attend the latter due to personal matters. These meetings are vital for strategic planning and strengthening collaboration among Board members. As the Liaison to the Communications Working Group, I helped with various communication outreach strategies on social media and through blog posts. I’m proud to share that our engagement and outreach efforts helped secure funding from Proton, through their fundraising campaign—an important milestone that shows how impactful our work can be when we connect and continuously communicate about what the OSM is with the broader tech and civic communities around the world.
I’ve also represented the Foundation at global events like State of the Map (World) in Nairobi, where I:
1.) Met mappers from across the globe
2.) Presented on the Foundation’s finances
3.) Participated in a panel to help members better understand the Board’s role
I also represented the Board at State of the Map LatAm, the first time a Board member attended this regional conference. I spoke with Latin American community members and presented on what the Foundation is, isn’t, and what it does. These experiences reaffirmed that representation and engagement matter—we must show up and support communities wherever they are. We need to be supportive of our various regional communities.
Why am I Running?
I’m running for re-election because I believe deeply in the power of OpenStreetMap and the importance of the Foundation’s role in supporting it. OSM is not just a map. OSM is a community and global infrastructure relied upon by countless organizations, companies, and individuals every single day. A day without OSM would be catastrophic for mobility services, humanitarian aid efforts, data analysts, and community mappers alike.
That’s why I’ve made it's been my passion to advocate for OSM on my free time, communicate its impact, and support fundraising efforts. I want to continue working closely with our existing funders and expand our partnerships to ensure the sustainability and growth of the Foundation.Fundraising is not just about money,money, money. Sure, money is imperative, but fundraising is about building trust, communicating our value, having funders understand where their funds are going and who they are supporting, and ensuring that the people who rely on OSM (often without even knowing it) can continue to do so.
Community engagement is at the heart of everything we do. It’s not enough to make decisions from afar—we must listen, show up, and collaborate. Whether it’s attending regional conferences, responding to community questions, or amplifying voices through our communications channels, I believe in meeting people where they are and ensuring they feel heard and supported.
I’m committed to:
1.) Listening to and learning from our global community
2.)Promoting transparency and accessibility
3.)Supporting chapters and mappers in ways that reflect their unique needs
4.)Advocating for sustainable funding and growth
The Board doesn’t lead the Foundation—it represents you. Thank you for considering me for re-election. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Si tienes preguntas en español, o quisieras este resumen en español, por favor contáctame.
Md Atikuzzaman Limon
Who I Am
I am Md Atikuzzaman Limon, a proud Bangladeshi from the bustling city of Dhaka, where my passion for mapping has grown into a lifelong commitment to open geospatial data. I am currently serving as Deputy Director in the Vice Chancellor’s Office at Eastern University, Dhaka, where I support administrative operations and lead initiatives in creative services and digital marketing. On a personal note, I am a curious explorer at heart, inspired by the vibrant communities of Bangladesh and driven to make a global impact through mapping.
My journey with OpenStreetMap (OSM) began in 2017, sparked by a fascination with how open data can empower communities, especially in disaster-prone regions like Bangladesh. Since then, I have immersed myself in the OSM ecosystem, contributing to platforms like Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), Mapillary, Missing Maps, and CrisisMappers. As the Communication Officer for YouthMappers at Eastern University, I have dedicated myself to inspiring young mappers to join this global movement. I am fluent in Bengali and English, and I am learning Hindi to better connect with South Asian mapping communities, particularly for events like State of the Map (SotM) Asia.
My enthusiasm for building bridges between mappers and the communities they serve. My professional and volunteer experiences give me a unique perspective to lead OSMF toward a more inclusive, innovative, and impactful future.
What Have I Done in OSM?
My contributions to OSM are rooted in a commitment to community, collaboration, and quality data. Over the years, I have engaged in various roles to strengthen OSM in Bangladesh and beyond: Community Leadership: I spearheaded the revival of the OSM Bangladesh community, participated in virtual meetups and annual in-person workshops since 2017. Recent attachment with State of the Map 2025 in Manila, Philippines selected for a talk, Communication Officer of Eastern University YouthMappers, Bangladesh, Participated in SotM Asia 2024 in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, Join Dhaka Thrive Dashboard Webinar etc.
Mapping and Mapathons: I am an Open Mapping GURU of Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team. I have contributed over 13,500 edits to OSM, focusing on areas in Bangladesh. Recently I started a Pre Map Weekly Campaign to promote regular mapping . The theme of the campaign is “A Small Contribution Can Save Lives!Join the #PreMapWeeklyCampaign with PreMap for Humanity! We often start mapping when disaster strikes, but imagine the impact if every corner of our country was already mapped! This week, we are calling on mappers worldwide to join our OpenStreetMap challenge and make a difference.”
Social Media and Outreach: Share mapping experience and OSM and OSMF related information from my public social media platform and community pages.
Community Leadership with YouthMappers: As Communication Officer for YouthMappers at Eastern University, I have participated and supported different workshops, engaging students in mapping critical infrastructure like schools and hospitals. These efforts have grown our local chapter into one of the most active in the region, onboarding over 100 new mappers.
Humanitarian Mapping with HOT: I am an active contributor to the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, mapping vulnerable areas for disaster response, such as flood-prone regions in Bangladesh. My work with HOT has supported humanitarian efforts by providing accurate geospatial data during crises like the 2022 floods.
Mapillary Contributions: I have uploaded over 46,000 of street-level images to Mapillary, enhancing map accuracy in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh. These images have improved navigation and urban planning applications, making OSM data more reliable.
Missing Maps and CrisisMappers: Through the Missing Maps project, I have mapped underserved areas to support disaster preparedness. As a member of CrisisMappers, I collaborate with global experts to leverage mapping for crisis response, contributing to initiatives like earthquake recovery in South Asia.
My contributions are entirely voluntary, driven by a passion for open data, as my professional role at Eastern University focuses on administration and digital marketing, not GIS or mapping. This diverse engagement gives me a broad understanding of OSM’s challenges and opportunities.
Why My Candidacy to the Board?
My years of contributions to OSM, combined with my professional experience in academic administration and digital communication, position me to serve effectively on the OSMF Board. I see OSM as a global movement with untapped potential to empower communities, but it faces challenges like low election participation, imagery access issues, and the need for responsible technology use, as highlighted in the 2025 election questions. I am running to:
- Foster Inclusivity: Ensure that mappers from all regions have the tools and support to contribute meaningfully.
- Enhance Transparency: Make OSMF’s operations more open and accountable to build trust and encourage participation.
- Drive Innovation: Leverage technology responsibly to improve data quality and user experience while preserving OSM’s open data ethos.
- Protect Our Mission: Safeguard OSM’s intellectual property and ensure sustainable resource access for all mappers.
- Strengthen Sustainability: Protect OSM’s intellectual property and secure resources like imagery to support mappers worldwide.
The 2025 election highlighted a lack of candidate and community engagement, as noted in the official questions. I aim to address this by inspiring more diverse participation and strengthening OSMF’s connection with its community.
Vision for OSMF
I envision an OSMF that empowers every mapper, from seasoned contributors to newcomers, to build the world’s best open map. OSM should be a household name, recognized not just by tech enthusiasts but by everyday people who benefit from its data. By fostering a collaborative, transparent, and innovative foundation, we can ensure OSM remains a sustainable, inclusive project that serves communities worldwide.
Key Priorities
1. Building an Inclusive and Engaged Community
OSM’s strength lies in its contributors. To grow and diversify our community, I will:
Launch a Global Mentorship Program: Pair experienced mappers with newcomers, focusing on underrepresented regions like Latin America, Africa, and Asia. This program will provide training materials in multiple languages and support for local mapping initiatives.
Expand Local Chapter Support: Provide grants and technical resources to local chapters, enabling them to host mapathons, workshops, and outreach events. I aim to increase active chapters by 25% by 2027. Annual Community Survey: Conduct a survey to gather feedback on OSMF’s performance and community needs, with results published on the OSM wiki to guide board decisions.
2. Ensuring Resource Access
- Access to tools and data is critical for mapping.
- Securing Imagery Access: I will explore open-source imagery for regions with limited alternatives.
- Funding Core Tools: Allocate resources to maintain and enhance tools like iD and JOSM, prioritizing user-friendly features and accessibility for new mappers.
- Supporting Local Imagery: Provide grants for local communities to source regional imagery, ensuring equitable access for mappers in underserved areas.
3. Promoting Transparency and Accountability
Trust is the foundation of our community. I will make OSMF’s operations more open by:
- Open Board Meetings: Publish detailed minutes and recordings of board meetings on the OSM wiki, with summaries shared via the OSM blog.
- Community Advisory Group: Establish a diverse advisory group to provide input on major decisions, ensuring representation from all regions.
- Clear Financial Reporting: Publish annual financial reports detailing OSMF’s spending, including tile server costs, to address concerns about free usage without attribution.
4. Leveraging Technology Responsibly
Technological advancements, like AI, can enhance OSM if used ethically. I will:
- Develop AI Guidelines: Form a working group to create an AI ethics framework by mid-2026, ensuring tools like computer vision for data validation align with OSM’s open data principles.
- Support Open-Source Innovation: Fund open-source AI and mapping tool development, prioritizing community-driven projects to improve data quality and user experience.
- Educate Mappers: Create accessible resources on the OSM wiki to guide mappers on using AI tools responsibly, addressing concerns from the official questions about AI’s role in OSM.
Addressing Community Concerns
The 2025 election questions highlight several challenges that I am prepared to tackle:
- Low Election Participation: The small number of candidates and questions reflects awareness gaps and perceived barriers. I will launch an outreach campaign via social media and the OSM blog, simplify nomination processes, and mentor potential candidates to increase participation by 20% by 2027.
- Imagery Access: Exploring alternative imagery sources to support global mappers.
- Map Styles: Decisions on map styles for openstreetmap.org should involve the board, Data Working Group, and community, using transparent criteria like those for OpenStreetMap Carto.
- SotM Controversies: I will ensure SotM location selections prioritize safety and inclusivity, with clear protocols for handling protests.
Why Me?
My diverse background—spanning technical expertise, business management, and community leadership—uniquely positions me to serve on the OSMF Board. My multilingual skills and global perspective enable me to connect with mappers worldwide. My hands-on experience in OSM, from mapping to organizing events, gives me a deep understanding of the community’s needs and aspirations. I am committed to listening, collaborating, and acting decisively to strengthen OSMF and ensure OSM’s continued success.
Conclusion
Joining the OSMF Board is an opportunity to give back to a community that has inspired me for over a decade. I am committed to building a more inclusive, transparent, and innovative OSM that empowers every mapper to contribute to the world’s best open map. With your support, I will work tirelessly to realize this vision, ensuring OSM remains a global force for good. Thank you for considering my candidacy in the 2025 election.
OSM Foundation's board election 2025: official questions
Q01 Motivation and Objectives
| Q02 Conflict of Interest Management
| Q03 Transparency and Accountability
| Q04 Teamwork
| Q05 Artificial Intelligence
| Q06 Access to Imagery
| Q07 Software Governance
| Q08 Map Styles on OpenStreetMap.org
| Q09 State of the Map Conferences
| Q10 Intellectual Property
| Q11 OSMF Enthusiasm
All board candidates' manifestos
2025 OpenStreetMap Foundation's: Board election - Voting information and instructions - Annual General Meeting
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