Do you live in a city, do you know it well and do you want to show others the places locals actually go to? Then you can make a USE-IT map! Everybody who’s motivated can join us.
The initiative to start a new USE-IT always comes from young locals. That means: there is no boss with a big bag of money who decides where the next USE-IT will come. Every USE-IT initiative has the same basic philosophy, but apart from that they're quite independent and they look for their own money. USE-IT is a quality label. It's always non-commercial, free, no-nonsense, up-to-date and made by young locals. If you stick to these rules, you can join the club.
When you e-mail us, we invite you for an online coffee with our editor-in-chief, where you can ask all the questions you want. After that, the editor-in-chief is with you every step of the way, and the existing members can help you as well.
HOW CAN I MAKE MY OWN MAP?
Great to hear that you want to join us! You are very welcome in our midst. Please e-mail info@use-it.travel, tell us where you are from and what you want to do and we’ll get back to you!
WHO DECIDES WHAT'S ON THE MAP?
USE-IT is made by locals. It is as simple as that. We don’t let anyone pay to be on the map, we don’t give our sponsors editing rights and we only put things on the map that we love and we want you to love.
+ precisions about no chains, no bullshit, local tips, real advice about tourist classic…?
WHERE DO I FIND THE MONEY TO MAKE A MAP?
USE-IT Europe gives practical support, feedback, a network to fall back on, access to the meeting and official membership. Not money.
Maps are made with local money. Here are some options:
→ The municipality. Most cities get money from the city
→ Tourist info. Are there any tourist organisations in your city that could help?
→ Youth centres
→ Universities
→ European Commission
→ Crowdfunding or sponsoring
Or from a mix of the above. Show as much initiative as possible to puzzle your budget together! For more information on this, you can check out our resources page, FUND-IT website, and the I want to start my own USE-IT document!
I WANT MY BUSINESS TO BE ON A USE-IT MAP! HOW DO I DO THAT?
Just be very good at what you do. Nobody pays to be on a USE-IT map, the locals choose places that they visit themselves and consider a great inside tip, a place that they would take their visitors to. We don’t take advertisements either.
IS THERE AN INITIATIVE IN MY CITY?
Our editor-in-chief can connect you to people who showed interest to make a map of your city before. Maybe together, you can make magic! E-mail info@use-it.travel for more info.
ARE THERE WAYS TO JOIN THE NETWORK WITHOUT MAKING A MAP?
Making a map is the classic way to join the network, but we are always happy to talk to people who are interested in what we do! Just e-mail info@use-it.travel and let’s talk!
CAN I MAKE A MAP OF A CITY OUTSIDE EUROPE?
Right now, we operate only in Europe. This has to do with the peoplepower we have and the fact that we don’t have enough knowledge of other continents to support the teams there to make a map. Maybe this will change in the future, but for now, we are a Europe-based organization.
I AM 37/59/99 and I STILL LOVE YOUR MAPS! WHY AREN'T I IN THE AGE GROUP?
Great that you love what we do! Of course you are totally welcome to use our maps and have that beer in the weird bar with socks on the ceiling or that ice cream in the best hidden ice cream shop in town. But when we make maps for everybody, we make maps for nobody. And we don’t want to make maps for nobody! USE-IT has always aimed at young people, which means that we focus on affordable tips and backpacking options, some party options, some non-party options, and we leave out the more expensive stuff or - for example - tips for people with children. But, if you feel it still works for you, please use and love our maps as much as we do. We are happy to have you.
