Loomio

Loomio is a web-based platform designed to help groups make decisions collaboratively and transparently. Built around the process of proposing options, discussing them openly, and voting to reach agreements, Loomio is commonly used by community organizations, non-profits, unions, cooperatives, and student groups.

Key features include the ability to create proposals with descriptions and attachments, threaded discussions on each proposal, comment and reply capabilities, and voting options such as yes, no, or abstain. It supports customizable decision rules, including consensus thresholds or majority voting, and enables setting deadlines and assigning roles or memberships to control who can participate.

The platform is available as a hosted service and as an open-source project that groups can self-host, allowing adaptation and integration.

History of Loomio traces its development to the early 2010s by a small team aiming to replace ad hoc meetings with structured, participatory decision making. Over time, it has grown into an international community of users and developers who contribute to the project and its ecosystem.

Impact and reception: Loomio has been adopted by a range of organizations to facilitate democratic participation, though some users note a learning curve and the effort required to maintain inclusive discussions in larger groups. It is generally viewed as a tool for improving transparency and deliberation in group decision processes.