Humanitarian OSM Team/Open Mapping Hub Eastern and Southern Africa/Map&Clean Challenge
#MapandClean Challenge for Africa and Barbados: A Youth-Led Mapping and Learning Campaign
Summary
The #Map&Clean challenge for Africa is a youth-led advocacy campaign built upon the deeply rooted African concept of collective action, where the well-being of an individual is linked to the community. Drawing on principles like Ubuntu and Harambee, the campaign positions young people as leaders and agents of change. By mapping waste and pollution, the campaign provides an innovative approach to tackling environmental issues through collective actions and the adoption of innovative technologies such as ChatMap.
The situation
Africa faces a growing waste management crisis, with plastic pollution being the most complex pressing issue. The World Economic Forum estimated that if current trends continue, Africa's annual waste generation is projected to be six times higher by 2060 than it was in 2019. This crisis is amplified by rapid urbanisation, population growth and industrialisation. With growing needs local governments and municipalities are getting outpaced, leaving communities to bear the burden of sanitation.
About the project
HOT’s Open Mapping Hubs in Africa, with the support of UNICEF YOMA, has developed this advocacy project with the goal of igniting environmental action among African youth. The project integrates digital mapping with tangible community cleanup efforts as an innovative approach to addressing environmental issues. The project will mobilise existing YouthMappers and OpenStreetMap (OSM) communities in Africa to participate in the challenge. Selected participants will first complete an online open mapping course, then apply their new skills to map trash in their local neighborhoods. The courses will be hosted on the HOT’s Learning Centre (Hosted on the LearnWorlds platform), ChatMap will serve as the primary tool for localized waste mapping, and the YOMA platform will be instrumental for youth outreach and engagement. Crucially, 100 groups will each receive $250 (totalling $25,000) disbursed through HOT's Open Mapping Hub for Eastern and Southern Africa, and HOT's Open Mapping Hub for West And Northern Africa to spend on purchasing essential clean-up materials such as, gloves, trash bags, and brooms, as well as T-shirts for branding
The Change We Want to Make
The #Map&Clean challenge for africa is a youth-led advocacy campaign built upon the deeply rooted african concept of collective action, where the well-being of an individual is linked to the community. Drawing on principles like Ubuntu and Harambee, the campaign positions young people as leaders and agents of change.
The ultimate goal is to create a collective approach to sanitation and promote community-driven movement. The culmination of participants' efforts will be their direct participation in a physical clean-up event on World Clean-up Day in September, tackling the very trash they've mapped.
Why Mapping?
Through mapping, young people are able to turn a visible problem into a data-driven tool. Instead of picking up trash, participants will be using ChatMap. A HOT’s open-source tool that leverages WhatsApp, an application used by 2.78 billion people worldwide. Its simplicity and accessibility make it an effective tool for communities. By integrating It integrates mapping with hands-on tangible community cleanup efforts. This blended approach ensures both digital contribution to valuable geospatial data and direct, visible environmental impact, fostering a deeper connection to their communities
Who can apply?
Open to all OSM members, community-based organisations, University student groups and any other community member who is willing to mobilise a minimum of 25 participants to join him.
How to apply
To apply, click here.