It’s Document Freedom Day, and we’re delighted to announce that the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) has given OpenStreetMap an award recognising the project’s work on Open Standards and Emerging Standards.

Members of OpenStreetMap produce the world’s most up-to-date, accurate, and yes, open map of the world for anyone to use for any purpose. It’s used by outdoor enthusiasts, relief efforts, mobile device users, governments, web-based mapping applications and commercial organisations, showing just how useful Open Data can be.

Although the award went to the entire project (that’s You), the FSFE didn’t have room for all 1 million+ of us to turn up, so members of Mappa Mercia, the West Midlands, UK group of OpenStreetMappers met the FSFE representatives in Birmingham on Saturday 22nd March. Brian Prangle received the award, saying “It’s always great to have your work recognised, so thank you, on behalf of all the hundreds of thousands of contributors to OpenStreetMap, to FSFE for their award. We’re thrilled that you see OpenStreetMap as making such an effort towards open standards and it’s especially pleasing that you position us as an ’emerging standard'”.

Anna Morris from the Document Freedom Day campaign explained how useful the meeting was. “This was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the achievements and problems faced by a sister movement,” said Morris. “We found that we have many common goals and ample opportunity to share skills and resources.”