The co-operation between Nokia and non-Nokia members of the Maemo community has evolved radically over the lifetime of the project. Since its inception in 2008, the Maemo Community Council has become a key element of how the Maemo community co-operates with Nokia in setting priorities for the project. The council is elected by the Maemo Community, and represents the community's interests to Nokia, and has a large say in the priorities of the maemo.org staff, a group of people paid by Nokia to work on the Maemo project.