India’s OpenStreetMap community is characterised by its vast diversity and absence of a formal national body. Instead, independent regional groups drive mapping efforts, facing challenges such as funding restrictions and policy gaps. This talk highlights the “local first” approach, empowering regional communities to build sustainable mapping initiatives.

Using OSM Kerala as a case study, I will share how this community navigated legal and funding hurdles to successfully host India’s first regional State of the Map conference in 2023. The talk also explores how communities gained the trust of the government and spearheaded open data policies and releases. This will be a learning for how decentralised communities can leverage these developments to strengthen their impact.

This session offers valuable lessons for diverse democracies worldwide on fostering resilient and inclusive open mapping movements through local empowerment.