Being a Featured N2Y3 project has proven to be quite important to Green Map System. Taking part helped us realize so much more about the potential of the Open Green Map not only as a platform for sharing local information, but also for transforming it into global interaction.  

With the goal of maximizing OGM as a vehicle for social change, our locally-led global network began adding sites, testing and requesting improvements in summer. Now, the first 50 interactive Open Green Maps can be previewed online at  http://OpenGreenMap.org. There are over 3,600 sites that are open to public viewpoints, easy to compare, update and share. Currently, we're preparing for the  global launch celebration and  upgrading the technology to Drupal 6 to improve sharing, proximity, translations as well as integrating OGM and our main website, http://GreenMap.org.

OGM's social impacts include involving a greater diversity of people and record-breaking growth in new Green Map projects; 88 registered in 2008. Each decides whether to use the OGM platform or our traditional Green Mapmaking tools. Many are opting to use both! Today, our network is expanding faster than ever. The number of new communities joining has surpassed last year's first quarter count by 30%.

NetSquared gave our business plan a boost, too. We are in the midst of developing an exciting new revenue model to help us support the efforts of communities worldwide as they chart a sustainable future, especially through Open Green Map's continual development and expansion into mobile, mashups and other sharing formats. Watch for news on this soon!

We're proud to display your ceremonial $2,777 check, too. It helped us raise 100% of OGM's first year budget, as well as leverage Surdna Foundation support in 2009, thanks to meeting N2Y3 supporter Vince Stehle at the conference. We think your even-handed support is a great indicator of NetSquare's commitment and social integrity that we wish more competitions would emulate. As finalists, we worked hard to prepare for N2Y3's live pitches and opportunities - these funds and your cheerful Featured Project logo on our outreach materials have really made a difference.

Open Green Map's global launch celebration will take place on World Environment Day, June 5th, with special events in Cape Town, Geneva, Jakarta, Stockholm, Santiago, New York, and other places! We invite the entire NetSquare community to get involved, support this effort and join the party. See the video, download a slideshow and find more details at http://GreenMap.org/ogm-launch.