A wider perspective on VersaTiles

Geographic information is a public good. Maps represent our shared world, and restricting access to geographic data — through copyright, licensing fees or proprietary infrastructure — limits who can participate in building and using it.

When control of mapping infrastructure is concentrated in the hands of a few commercial providers, the consequences are predictable: high costs, limited transparency and growing dependency on platforms that may not serve the public interest. Open standards, open data and open source software are the tools to build a better alternative.

VersaTiles is driven by the goal of making mapping data and tools accessible to everyone. By providing open access to map data and infrastructure, VersaTiles lets individuals, communities and organisations freely build, use and share geographic knowledge, fostering innovation and collaboration.

Core Values

VersaTiles' core values are rooted in the principles of openness, freedom and empowerment. Our mission is to enable both users and contributors to collaborate, innovate and benefit from shared geographic information and tools. We believe that open source software is a catalyst for creativity, problem solving and collective progress.

We uphold these values through

• Open Standards: VersaTiles is committed to openly documented protocols and formats that ensure interoperability and flexibility among mapping solutions. By adopting open standards, we empower developers and organisations to build systems that work together seamlessly, free from vendor lock-in or proprietary restrictions.

• Open Data: We are strongly committed to unrestricted access to geographic data. We support initiatives that encourage data sharing, believing that the free exchange of information enriches public knowledge, spurs innovation and drives societal progress.

• Open Source: VersaTiles is being developed in an open, transparent environment where anyone can contribute, review or use the software. This openness promotes collaboration, enhances security through auditability, and fosters a vibrant ecosystem of applications, users and contributors.

• Prefer free to open: While we are committed to openness, we prioritise the creation and use of free standards, data and software whenever possible. This commitment ensures that everyone, regardless of resources, can access and contribute to the tools and knowledge.

Support

Maintaining the non-commercial ethos of VersaTiles while supporting ongoing development and infrastructure presents unique challenges. To address these challenges, we are actively seeking grants and partnerships to secure financial support for both development and infrastructure maintenance to ensure the long-term viability of the project. We are also encouraging the community and beneficiaries of VersaTiles to contribute code.

Legal entity

Finding the right legal structure to handle donations, financial transactions and governance is an open question for VersaTiles. The two main options under consideration are:

• Independent entity: Full control over decisions and operations, but carries significant administrative overhead for legal, financial and organisational matters.
• Part of an existing foundation: Leverages an established legal and financial framework, letting the project focus on its core mission — though it may involve conforming to the governance structures of the parent organisation.

Both have genuine trade-offs. This remains an ongoing discussion; the project welcomes input from the community.