Youth Climate Mapping Fellowship 2026 for Youth Groups in Lesotho, Eswatini and South Africa | Receive a $400 Climate Action Stipend and Free Digital Mapping Training ·Unknown

Climate change continues to affect communities across Africa, creating urgent challenges related to environmental sustainability, disaster preparedness, and resilience. One of the most effective ways to strengthen local climate action is through accurate community mapping, which helps organizations, governments, and humanitarian agencies better understand environmental risks and make informed decisions.

To empower young people to become leaders in climate resilience, the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), in partnership with UNICEF YOMA, has launched the Youth Climate Mapping Fellowship. This unique fellowship is designed for youth groups, OpenStreetMap communities, and youth-led organizations based in Lesotho, Eswatini, and South Africa.

The fellowship combines digital mapping, climate education, community engagement, and practical climate action. Selected youth groups will gain access to professional online training, technical support, and financial assistance to implement local climate awareness initiatives within their communities.

If your organization is passionate about climate resilience, community mapping, and youth-led environmental advocacy, this fellowship presents an excellent opportunity to build valuable skills while making a meaningful impact.

About the Youth Climate Mapping Fellowship

The Youth Climate Mapping Fellowship is a capacity-building initiative that equips youth organizations with practical knowledge and digital tools for climate mapping and community resilience.

The program focuses on helping young people learn how geographic data can support climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, environmental planning, and local advocacy efforts.

The fellowship encourages participants to use OpenStreetMap technologies to collect, organize, and analyze location-based information that contributes to stronger community decision-making and climate awareness.

The initiative is delivered by the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), a globally recognized nonprofit organization that uses open mapping technologies to support humanitarian response and sustainable development, in collaboration with UNICEF YOMA, which works to empower young people through learning and social impact opportunities.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to youth groups and organizations located in:

• Lesotho
• Eswatini
• South Africa

Eligible organizations include:

• YouthMappers Chapters
• OpenStreetMap (OSM) Communities
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
• Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
• Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
• Other youth-led organizations or community groups interested in climate action

Applicants must also be capable of mobilizing at least 20 participants who will take part in the fellowship activities.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected youth groups will receive a range of educational and practical benefits designed to strengthen their mapping capacity and climate leadership.

1. Free Self-Paced Online Training

Participants will gain access to two comprehensive online courses at no cost:

Introduction to Open Mapping for Climate Action

This course introduces participants to:

• Fundamentals of OpenStreetMap
• Digital mapping concepts
• Climate mapping techniques
• Community-based data collection
• Using geographic information for climate resilience

ChatMap for Field Mapping

Participants will also learn how to:

• Conduct field mapping activities
• Collect geographic information
• Improve community mapping accuracy
• Generate local climate data
• Support environmental planning initiatives

Because both courses are self-paced, participants can complete the learning modules according to their own schedules.

2. Technical Support

Throughout the fellowship, participants receive guidance and technical assistance to strengthen their mapping projects and ensure successful implementation of community activities.

Support includes:

• Digital mapping guidance
• Climate data collection assistance
• Community mapping best practices
• Practical implementation support

3. Climate Action Experience

Learning is combined with real-world implementation.

Participants will organize and conduct a local climate action activity within their communities that promotes:

• Climate awareness
• Environmental education
• Community resilience
• Public advocacy on climate-related issues

This practical experience allows participants to apply the skills learned during the fellowship while creating measurable local impact.

4. $400 Climate Action Stipend

Each selected youth group will receive a $400 stipend to support the implementation of its local climate action activity.

The funding is intended to assist groups in organizing activities that promote climate education, awareness, and advocacy within their communities.

What Participants Will Learn

The fellowship equips participants with valuable knowledge in several important areas, including:

• OpenStreetMap fundamentals
• Community digital mapping
• Climate resilience
• Geographic data collection
• Field mapping techniques
• Community engagement
• Climate awareness campaigns
• Local climate advocacy
• Environmental data management
• Digital collaboration tools

Why This Fellowship Matters

Climate action requires reliable local information.

Many communities lack detailed geographic data that can help identify environmental risks, vulnerable populations, infrastructure gaps, and climate-related challenges.

Through this fellowship, young people become active contributors to climate resilience by generating community data that can support:

• Climate adaptation planning
• Disaster risk reduction
• Sustainable development initiatives
• Community resilience strategies
• Evidence-based advocacy
• Local environmental decision-making

The fellowship also strengthens participants’ digital skills, leadership abilities, teamwork, and community engagement experience.

Group Information Required During Application

Applicants will be asked to provide the following information:

• Email address
• Group Lead’s name
• Group Lead’s WhatsApp number
• Gender
• Group name
• Country
• Town or city where the group is based
• Brief description of the group
• Social media or website links (if available)
• Organization category
• Confirmation that the group can mobilize at least 20 participants
• Details of a second contact person, including:
  • Name
  • Phone number
  • WhatsApp number
  • Email address

Organization Categories Accepted

Applicants may identify their organizations under one of the following categories:

• YouthMappers Chapter
• OpenStreetMap Community
• NGO
• CBO
• CSO
• Other

How to Apply

Interested youth groups should complete the official application form by providing accurate information about their organization, leadership team, contact details, and capacity to participate in the fellowship.

Applicants should ensure that all required information is completed before submitting the application.

Visit HERE for more information about Youth Climate Mapping Fellowship 2026.

Applications close Sunday, 26 July 2026.
Questions? esahub-info@hotosm.org

Conclusion

The Youth Climate Mapping Fellowship offers an outstanding opportunity for youth organizations in Lesotho, Eswatini, and South Africa to develop practical digital mapping skills while contributing to meaningful climate action within their communities.

Beyond learning new technologies, participants will become part of a growing movement that uses open geographic data to strengthen climate resilience, improve environmental awareness, and support sustainable local development. With free technical training, mentorship, practical experience, and a $400 climate action stipend, the fellowship empowers young people to transform knowledge into action and create lasting community impact.

Youth groups interested in climate change, digital innovation, and community development are encouraged to submit their applications and take advantage of this opportunity to become climate mapping leaders in their communities.

Discover more global Fellowship opportunities on OFY HERE.