Launched in 2022 as a pilot phase with the vision of building the capacity of OpenStreetMap communities on OpenSource tools in general and OpenStreetMap in particular, HOT's Community Working Group Mentorship Program has evolved over the years with the first and second cohorts held in 2023 and 2024 respectively. In addition to the capacity-building component, which contributes to the personal and professional development of participants, the programme also provides a platform for exchanges and networking for global communities, and fosters the emergence of leaders who contribute to the creation or consolidation of Open Mapping communities.

As a result, the program has empowered 200+ people (mentors/mentees) and 500+ people outside the program with Open Source technologies, limiting technical gaps between communities and enabling effective disaster response. The program also fostered the emergence of new leaders in several communities where the Open Mapping culture had not yet been established. 27 projects were developed by the participants on various themes.

This talk will highlight:
- The design and goals of the program
- Thematic focus areas and mentorship methods
- Outcomes from previous cohorts (statistics, testimonials, case studies)
- Challenges and lessons learned
- The role of mentorship in bridging knowledge gaps and increasing inclusion in mapping

Target audience:
- OSM community leaders and mappers
- Local chapters and YouthMappers
- Organizations and individuals interested in community development and mentorship
- Anyone seeking to replicate mentorship initiatives in their region or support it.