Last December, I had the privilege of attending State of the Map Latin America (SOTM LATAM) in Belém, Brazil. I want to first share my gratitude to the entire community. I may be biased because I am latina myself, but latinos sure know how to make one feel loved and welcomed.
This was my first time at SOTM LATAM, and I was deeply inspired by the energy, passion, and dedication of the OpenStreetMap (OSM) community in this region. The event showcased an impressive array of presentations and workshops, from mapping remote areas of the Amazon to using innovative tools and techniques for open mapping. I am so grateful to everyone who shared their work and insights, broadening my understanding of the challenges and opportunities in Latin America.
As a Director of the OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF), I had the opportunity to present about the role of the OSMF, the purpose of the Board of Directors, and how we strive to support the global OSM community. Engaging directly with attendees highlighted how essential it is for the OSMF to maintain stronger connections with regional communities. I was surprised to learn that this was the first time an OSMF Board member had attended a SOTM LATAM. Representation matters, and I am committed to ensuring this is not the last time. Strengthening our communication channels with the LATAM community is vital, and I am eager to build more meaningful and consistent engagement.
Open Conversations with the Community
A key part of this experience was the opportunity to hear directly from participants. During the event, an open online collaborative document page was shared, allowing attendees to express their thoughts, feedback, and even grievances with the Board. Some of the valuable insights included:
Regional Representation on the Board: There were discussions around creating dedicated Board seats for representatives from different regions to ensure equitable representation, particularly for communities that may struggle to gain sufficient global votes.
Lack of Awareness of Working Groups: Many attendees expressed that they were unaware of the existence and functions of OSMF Working Groups. Promoting these groups and encouraging participation from Latin American communities could strengthen regional representation and collaboration.
First Formal Board Presence: For many, this was the first time they had the opportunity to hear directly from a Board member. The engagement was positively received, and it was clear that there is a desire for more consistent interaction between the OSMF and Latin American communities.
Recognizing Regional Entities: Some established and active communities in the region are not formally recognized as official OSM chapters. This can create challenges in accessing grants and participating in global events. Greater support from the OSMF could bridge this gap.
Building Strategic Partnerships: Participants highlighted the potential for OSMF to collaborate with independent media organizations in Latin America, especially within data journalism, indigenous journalism, and environmental reporting. Strengthening these connections could increase OSM visibility and promote responsible use of open geospatial data.
Funding for Training and Capacity Building: Accessing financial resources for training journalists and other community members on OSM tools was identified as a critical need. Expanding funding opportunities for local projects could accelerate mapping efforts and amplify the impact of OSM data.
Moving Forward
The feedback shared during SOTM LATAM was invaluable. Meaningful participation and representation of all regions are essential for the growth and success of OpenStreetMap. We need to be more engaged with this and all communities. If you have any suggestions our communication channels (1;2;3;4 ) are always open.
To everyone I had the pleasure of meeting, thank you for your warm welcome and for sharing your perspectives. If you have further questions, comments, or feedback about the event or the OSMF, please feel free to reach out. ¡Obrigada, SOTM LATAM!
SOTM LATAM 2025
I’d like to also share with you all that SOTM LATAM 2025 will be in Medellin, Colombia from September 4th-6th. This is a great opportunity for all to get to know this amazing OSM Community and learn about the inspiring work they are doing.
Additionally, I’d like to ask our sponsors and contributors to consider becoming sponsors of this event. This is an amazing opportunity to become involved and support the Latin American Community. You can find more information here: https://www.osmlatam.org/2025/03/22/convocatoria-a-patrocinios-sotm-latam-2025/
Dani Waltersdorfer
OpenStreetMap Foundation board
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