MEMORY SPACES: Mapping Oral History in Mosul (MESMOM) aims to establish an online accessible digital platform where former and current residents of the Iraqi city of Mosul can contribute their personal and individual memories of their hometown. These memories can be in inserted in the form of stories, images, and audio recordings, all placed on a digital and visually appealing map of Mosul and its surroundings (prior to 2014). After editorial processing and approval by a dedicated editorial team, these contributions will be accessible worldwide.

The idea for this digital platform originated from a project concept developed by the applicants in collaboration with a group of Iraqi students during a student workshop in Mosul in February 2023. These classes in the form of seminars were part of a student conference organized within the framework of a program funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and conducted by the academic cooperation RESI (Rethink Education and Science in Iraq). Almost 1,000 students participated in over 50 workshops during the conference. In a competitive closing event, all workshop groups presented their project ideas, and the MEMORY SPACES: Mapping Oral History in Mosul project was awarded the winner in May 2023.

 At the core of MEMORY SPACES are the inhabitants of Mosul, representing its social, ethnic, and religious diversity. This initiative explicitly invites individuals who no longer reside in their former hometown to contribute as well. The main objectives are twofold: to preserve and spatially contextualize individual memories of a city that was largely destroyed during the occupation by the so-called Islamic State (2014–2017) and the subsequent liberation battles (Battle of Mosul, 2016–2017). Additionally, the project aims to introduce Iraqi students to aspects of memory culture and practical skills related to recording, managing, and curating historical eyewitness reports. This exposure is intended to inspire the students to work independently in this field.

The loss of Mosul's architectural structures is expected to be enduring. Presently, international organizations primarily focus on rebuilding essential public infrastructure and, notably, the reconstruction of historical buildings and sites considered part of the cultural heritage. The widespread reconstruction of historical residential and commercial districts, streets, and public spaces – places that used to be integral to residents' daily lives and carry great importance in their memories of the city today – largely relies on private initiatives. However, only a few can afford such endeavors. For this reason, MEMORY SPACES places a deliberate emphasis on preserving and showcasing personal memories associated with private residential and functional buildings (such as shops, shopping streets, squares, parks, etc.) within the urban environment – these are the places that shaped the participants' sense of "their" city before 2014.

Concurrently, the act of evoking these mainly positively connotated and emotionally crucial memories aims to contribute to the process of coping with the traumatic loss of once-familiar everyday life environments.