Fighting Air Pollution
The program enables an annual cohort of advocates to fight air pollution by utilizing air quality monitoring data in support of community action or scientific research.
The OpenAQ Community Ambassador Program
Air pollution is a “silent killer” that
accounts for more than 8 million premature deaths each year. 90% of deaths attributed to outdoor air pollution are in
low- and middle-income countries.
OpenAQ's Community Ambassador Program empowers the next generation of
changemakers to tackle this global epidemic
locally in the planet's most polluted regions through the use of data.
A Leadership Training Program
The program includes a comprehensive curriculum on ambient air pollution, air quality monitoring, data transparency, data access, data analysis, participatory research, and community engagement.
A Vibrant Community
The program’s success is in its amazing ambassadors. Participants from low- and middle-income nations learn and grow together during their time in the program and as alumni.
The OpenAQ Community Ambassador Program:
meaningful impact in the world's most polluted regions.
Over 30 low- and -middle income countries have been represented over the history of the program
25 successful regional air quality projects completed by OpenAQ Community Ambassadors
Catalyzing Community Air Quality Action
Study on the Air Pollution Impacts of Brick Production in Rural Mexico
In rural Mexico, brick production is considered to be a leading source of emissions. Rebeca Monroy-Torres completed the first air quality inventory in such a community using low cost sensors. Her work demonstrated dangerous levels of pollution near schools with children and women being the population at greatest risk.
Innovative Field Pollution Study in Douala, Cameroon
To raise awareness about the significant air quality issues in Douala, Cameroon, Melissa Kwenkeu Tondji drove an innovative field pollution study which included collecting data from marketplace spice grinders using wearable sensors. She has since further amplified her efforts by launching a podcast, Voice of The Air: Decoding the Invisible with Air Quality Stories.
Increasing Community Air Pollution Awareness and Monitoring in Mozambique
Air pollution is a silent crisis in Mozambique disproportionately affecting the country’s most vulnerable populations. Moreover, progress is often slow due to low awareness and limited real time monitoring. António Banze is changing this trajectory with his effort which included hosting 13 community workshops and strengthening partnerships to expand air quality monitoring.
The First Comprehensive Survey of Air Quality Data for Pakistan
Pakistan is among the one of the world’s worst countries for air pollution. To help bolster monitoring, Abid Omar built Pakistan’s first comprehensive air quality survey by analyzing seven years of low-cost sensor data. His findings reveal that Lahore experiences significantly worse air quality and also highlights the need for expanding monitoring into smaller towns.
Jumpstarting and Empowering Air Quality Leaders
The ambassador program provided me with tangible work experience and opened doors to seek partnerships and collaborations with other organizations.
— Antonio Banze '24 Cohort
The program provided invaluable knowledge, hands-on experience, and the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of professionals.
— Kostadin Kostadinov '24 Cohort
This program really exceeded my expectations. It pushed me to finally dive into a research project I'd always thought about but never had the chance to pursue
— Maiha Hameed '24 Cohort
I didn’t expect was how much this program would shape my perspective, not just as a researcher and entrepreneur, but as part of a global movement for cleaner air.
— Rafaela Chiminelli Borth '24 Cohort
Get Involved
You can empower the next generation of air quality changemakers by supporting the OpenAQ Community Ambassador Program.
Apply to be a 2026 Ambassador
The application period for the 2026 OpenAQ Ambassador Program will open November 2025.
Sponsor the Ambassadors
Sponsorships and donations support OpenAQ to deliver the leadership training and to provide stipends for the ambassadors to participate.
Collaborate
There are many other ways to support the OpenAQ Community Ambassador Program, such as, donating monitoring equipment, giving a guest lecture, or mentoring an ambassador. We would love to hear from you if you would like to collaborate.
Engage with OpenAQ
Use OpenAQ
To get started accessing and analyzing the global OpenAQ dataset, sign up as a new user of the platform.
Join the Community
Join our Slack Channel for technical details and to learn from the OpenAQ community how to access and analyze the global OpenAQ dataset.
Subscribe
Join our community and subscribe to the OpenAQ newsletter.
Partners
The following partners provide generous funding, equipment, or in-kind support to help make the OpenAQ Community Ambassador Program a reality.
