Map & Drill: Crowdmapping and Crowdfunding for Smarter Water Wells in Ethiopia

This project uses citizen science and data-driven mapping to guide water well placement, improving access to clean water and empowering communities through participatory decision-making

This project combines citizen science and humanitarian engineering to address water insecurity through participatory mapping and infrastructure development. Building on prior research, the team will launch a WhatsApp-based crowdmapping campaign to assess water infrastructure, followed by the creation of a data-informed map identifying optimal well locations. Stakeholders will collaboratively select a site for drilling, ensuring community ownership and sustainability.

The project will culminate in the construction of a water well, directly improving access to clean water for up to 30,000 people. Outcomes include a peer-reviewed publication on the socio-technical process, a replicable model for data-driven water interventions, and strengthened local decision-making. By integrating community knowledge, remote sensing, and participatory governance, the project demonstrates how citizen-led data can drive equitable, high-impact solutions to water crises.