# Open Source and Contributing

The Hate Crimes Map is entirely open source, and contributions are welcome!  
If you’re a developer passionate about data visualization or social justice, you're in the right place.

## Here’s how you can contribute:

1. **Fork the repository.**  
   Make a copy of the repository to your GitHub account.

2. **Make your changes.**  
   Make your changes to the project.

3. **Submit a pull request with your improvements.**  
   Once your changes are ready, open a pull request to suggest them for inclusion in the main project.

We look forward to your contributions! 🌍

👉 [Hate Crimes Map](https://hatecrimesmap.org)

## Contributing Guidelines

We welcome contributions to improve this project! Here are some ways you can help:

1. **Update Data**: If the dataset is outdated, follow the instructions above to convert and upload the updated file.
2. **Report Issues**: Open an issue if you encounter bugs or have suggestions for improvement. Template to follow: ![Issue Template](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kOaDT/hate-crimes-map/refs/heads/develop/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md).
3. **Feature Requests**: Suggest new features or enhancements to make the platform more impactful. Template to follow: ![Feature Request Template](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kOaDT/hate-crimes-map/refs/heads/develop/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md).
4. **Pull Requests**: Feel free to fork the repository and submit your changes via pull requests. Ensure your code follows best practices and includes necessary documentation. Template to follow: ![Pull Request Template](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kOaDT/hate-crimes-map/refs/heads/develop/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/pull_request_template.md).

## Responsive Design

The project prioritizes responsive design to ensure a seamless experience across devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

## Disclaimer

This project is not affiliated with the OSCE or any other organization.