Maps from here & abroad: mapping in support of migrant populations in France

"Maps from here & abroad" aims to foster the social inclusion of the migrant population in France through two main kinds of activities: participatory mapping on OSM during mapathons, and sensitive mapping workshops, meaning the freehand drawing of maps based on the affect one has for a space. The objective of this initiative is to offer these activities to the residents of emergency accommodation centers or CADA, everywhere in France in order to raise awareness about digital cartography, but also on an artistic and creative form of mapping.

The first phase of the project, funded by the Fondation de France and implemented from May 2018 to May 2019, aimed to foster social inclusion and new frameworks for exchanges between migrants and members of their host society, through mapathons and sensitive mapping workshops. This first phase was implemented with the support of different partners in France: Bibliothèques sans frontières, Aurore, and several others, as well as the volunteers of CartONG. Learn more about the project as well as the resources created, by reading our one-year project recap news.

The second phase of the project, funded by the FDVA Savoie and implemented from September 2019 to June 2020, allowed us to create an inter-associative dynamic around the use of cartography as a tool for improved social ties between migrants and citizens of Savoie. It also led us to explore new activities around the theme of urban walking.

Thanks to the renewed support of the Fondation de France, the project is entering a third phase of implementation which will run from July 2020 to June 2022 and will make it possible to offer CADA or emergency accommodation centers in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes and Ile-de-France, in particular, innovative group workshops, adapting the sensitive mapping methodology with a mental health perspective. The objective? To accompany people living in exile in expressing their journey to France, thanks to workshops halfway between sensitive mapping and artistic mediation. Such workshops will constitute a first space of expression allowing to identify people in psychological suffering and to direct them towards an adapted care structure. The participants will also be able to choose if they would like to share their maps with a wider audience through exhibitions for instance, with the idea of valorizing their personal experience and raising awareness on the related issues among local inhabitants. More information in this article or in our 2020 Annual Report.