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title: Welcome OSM Belgium - newest (

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Welcome OSM Belgium - newest (and returning) OSMF Local Chapter!

We would like to congratulate and welcome [OSM Belgium](https://osm.be) - our newest (and returning) OSMF Local Chapter!

OSM Belgium, operating under Open Knowledge Foundation Belgium (OKFN Belgium), was a Local Chapter from [24 May 2018](https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Board/Minutes/2018-05-24#Belgium_Local_Chapter_application) until resigning from OKFN Belgium in September 2023. In November 2023 OSM Belgium [was re-formed as an independent organisation](https://community.openstreetmap.org/t/osm-be-becomes-its-own-official-organization-osm-be-de-vzw-osm-be-lasbl/106575) and re-applied for Local Chapter status.

The OSM Foundation Board approved the application on [25 January 2024.](https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Board/Minutes/2024-01#OSM_Belgium_Local_Chapter_re-application)

We asked the leadership / members of OSM.be about why it is important to be an OSMF Local Chapter, their experience and aspirations in the year ahead.


> We had a tough 2023 where we had to reinvent ourselves as a separate organization. The good thing about that is that we're now a much less complex organization. And now our bylaws have legal standing, and we were able to set rules that fit OSM style leadership better. 
>
> Returning as a Local Chapter is the cherry on top. As a Local Chapter, it is much easier to be taken serious by outside organizations. It also gives you foot in the door of OSMF policy making.
> 
> This year, we'll continue promoting mapping tasks we find important, supporting projects of our membership and keep running our camera grant project. We'll also keep working with Mapillary to distribute more 360° cameras around Europe. But one of the largest projects we are working on is Panoramax - we are building relations with government and university to be able to set up servers together.

-OSM.be Board

Thank you to the OSM Belgium community for your contributions in spreading the good news of OpenStreetMap - educating/training people about the power of open data, local knowledge and community!

Learn more about OSMF Local Chapters:

* https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Local_Chapters
* [Handbook for becoming a Local Chapter](https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Local_Chapters/Handbook_for_becoming_a_Local_Chapter)
* [Frequently Asked Questions](https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Local_Chapters/FAQ)
* [Application documents to submit](https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Local_Chapters/Application_documents)

If you are interested in becoming a local chapter, and for questions and concerns, please comment in the [community forum thread: Local Chapters: What To Know and How to Join](https://community.openstreetmap.org/t/local-chapters-what-to-know-and-how-to-join/105231/5) or email local@osmfoundation.org.
