FAQ
What is Omaidea?
Omaidea – in English “Own idea” - provides an online platform and tools for use by residents, organizations and various community actors to promote idea generation, interaction and social impact.
The pilot use of Omaidea participation platform will focus on the themes of the circular economy, sustainable living and local development. These emphases are also reflected in in the graphical look of the platform. The participation platform is open to all and can be used for any non-commercial activities that benefit of decentralized participation and interaction.
How to use the platform?
Participating in the events of the platform is simple and browsing the content is not different from a regular website. You can see the planned participation events in the participate menu. Scrolling through the menus tells you when the event is active and how each participation event is progressing in practice.
Ongoing events are displayed at the top. Select upcoming or all events to see events that are scheduled to open later. In connection with each event, the tools used to participate (for example, survey, discussion, idea competition) are briefly presented. The use of each tool is explained in more detail once the event is launched.
All content can be read without registration. Submitting, supporting, and discussing ideas requires registration. We recommend that you register/log in before use to allow access to all tools.
How to register and log in to the platform?
You need an email address to register on the platform. Enter your username (nickname) for the first time and create your own password. The software may provide you with additional instructions when you register. Accept the operating rules and read the registry description and privacy policy of the platform. If you wish, you can also register or log in with your social media IDs.
If you have forgotten your password, you can change it on the login page. Then follow the instructions and you will receive instructions on how to change your password in your email.
How is the development of the Omaidea platform progressing?
Omaidea participation platform will be further developed in stages according to the principles of co-development. In the first testing phase in autumn of 2020, feedback will be collected on the visual look and functions of the development version of the participation platform.
Later, the features of the participation platform will be tested in two different events:
- From organic waste to bio-commodities survey and discussion
- Small-scale climate action idea competition
At all stages of the development work, the purpose is to obtain content input to solving sustainability issues and feedback on the operation of the Omaidea participation platform as a participation tool.
Where does the software of Omaidea come from?
The Omaidea participation platform has been modified from the open source Decidim software www.decidim.org. Decidim has been created to activate the participation and influence of residents and communities in various events, consultations and discussions. Originally created in Barcelona, Spain, the open source software is used in many different countries as well as in different organizations and communities.
The local development of the Omaidea participation platform is made possible by the Interreg / NPA project Emerging Technologies for Greener Communities (EMERGREEN), http://emergreen.interreg-npa.eu, the Finnish part of which is the responsibility of the Ruralia Institute of the University of Helsinki, www.helsinki.fi/ruralia. Until the end of June 2021, the Ruralia Institute and Metatavu Oy will be responsible for the content and management of the Omaidea platform.
Can I also use the Omaidea participation platform as an event manager, for example to support a participating event I organize on my own initiative?
An interaction event of a third party can be, for example, a theme-specific poll, a hearing or an idea generation exercise. To this end, an authorized partner may be granted a transaction-specific tenure right, which will be valid for a specific period. It is a required that the event specific admin user undertakes to maintain the participation event in accordance with the terms of use of the platform and the applicable laws.
