Capacity Building

At GeoConnect, we believe that sustainable development starts with empowering people. Our capacity building programs are designed to equip individuals, especially youth and underrepresented groups, with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to harness geospatial technologies for real-world impact.

From hands-on mapping trainings and field data collection to digital workshops on GIS, remote sensing, and open data, we create opportunities for learning that are both practical and transformative. Whether we’re working with local governments, universities, or community-based organizations, our goal is to build strong, locally-led solutions through geospatial innovation.

GIS Day 2025, Gokomere High School

As part of GeoConnect’s mission to democratize geospatial education and cultivate future-ready youth, the Gokomere GIS Day event introduced high school learners to the world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), digital mapping, and spatial problem-solving. The outreach demonstrated the power of early exposure, community-building, and practical skills that shape the future of Zimbabwe’s geospatial landscape.

Event Impact and Statistics

60+ sudents and staff reached
65% participants completing at least one map feature edit onto OSM
37% of girls empowered to lead through geospatial innovation
18% of students expressing interest in pursuing a geospatial career
1 more institutional partnership strengthened

Strengthened Community of Young Geospatial Learners. The outreach cultivated a new cohort of students who now view GIS as a pathway to innovation, problem-solving, and personal growth.

Empowering Students with Future Proof Skills. Learners engaged in mapping for the first time, developing spatial reasoning and digital literacy skills essential for 21st-century STEM pathways.

Creating a ripple effect in Masvingo Province. The event marked a significant step toward building a regional geospatial learning community anchored around GeoConnect’s capacity-building mission.

The Launch of YouthMappers at Marondera University of Agriculture, Science & Technology

On the 18th of October 2025, the computer laboratory at the Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST) came alive with excitement, curiosity, and a shared sense of purpose. Young people from MUAST, joined by visiting students from the Chinhoyi University of Technology, gathered for the official launch of the MUAST YouthMappers Chapter — a new hub for youth-led mapping and open-data innovation in Zimbabwe.

The event, held at the MUAST CSC Campus, was organised by OpenStreetMap (OSM) Zimbabwe with support from GeoConnect, whose ongoing work focuses on empowering young people through geospatial education, open data, and technology-driven community development.

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