Written in Ruby, JavaScript License AGPL v3 | Platform web Website www.loomio.org | |
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Repository github.com/loomio/loomio | ||
Loomio is decision-making software to assist groups with collaborative decision-making processes. It is a free software web application. Users initiate discussions and put up proposals. As discussions progress the group receives feedback on a proposal through an up-datable pie chart.
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In 2014, they raised over $100,000 via a crowdfunding effort, to develop Loomio 1.0, with support for mobile phones and other enhancements.
It is built by a core of group of developers based in Wellington, New Zealand. There are contributors to the project from around the world.
History
Loomio emerged from the Occupy movement, launching a prototype in 2012. Loomio used to use occupy hand-signals in the interface but no longer does. Having been developed into a social enterprise, Loomio has been linked to the more general trend of "platform cooperativism".
Operation
The top-level organizational structure in Loomio is the Group. A group is made up of members, granted permission to that group. Groups can be both public and private, allowing for privacy or openness where required.
Within groups, members can create discussions on specific topics. During a discussion, members of the group can post comments and create proposals.
Proposals solicit feedback from members on a specific proposition. Members can either agree, disagree, abstain, or block. Blocking is essentially a strong form of disagreement.
Funding
Loomio funds itself through contracts with government and business, and also solicits donations from its users.
Reception
Loomio has been used by the Wellington City Council for discussion with their citizens.
The Pirate Party of Hellas used Loomio to create 461 groups, covering 18 federal departments, 13 regions of Greece, 23 prefectures, and hundreds of counties and municipalities. The Internet Party of New Zealand also used Loomio to develop policy during the campaign for the 2014 General Election.
Loomio won the MIX Prize Digital Freedom Challenge in April 2014.
Projects using Loomio
Prominent projects that use Loomio for collaborative work based on democratic process: