Re:Match is an innovative matching project which rethinks solidarity in the European Union (EU) and the distribution of protection seekers in a new and participatory way: in contrast to conventional processes, it takes into account the individual profiles and preferences of protection seekers and matches them with the infrastructural framework conditions and capacities of the municipalities. As a result, Re:Match opens up better future prospects for people seeking protection and offers local authorities better planning options.
Matching is carried out using a preference-based algorithm to bring both sides together in the best possible way. During the initial pilot phase (2023), 78 Ukrainian protection seekerswho were in Poland, were successfully matched with six German municipalities by the data- and preference-driven procedure and supported in their relocation. A second matching and relocation phase was carried out in summer 2024 with the aim of applying the refined Re:Match processes and gaining new insights and data. As a result, the total number of protection seekers relocated to 8 German municipalities via Re:Match rose to 137.
Re:Match is being developed in close cooperation with international partners (Pairity, SalamLab, Right to Protection), municipalities and people seeking protection. Together we show how participatory and solidarity-based approaches for local and customised reception of people seeking protection in Germany and other EU Member States can be implemented. The project thus presents a innovative contribution to fair and effective distribution, efficient reception and successful integration. The goal is to ease the burden on external EU border states while supporting local authorities and protection seekers in their reception and integration. At the same time, the project enables an innovative implementation of the EU solidarity mechanism and distribution systems at national and local levels.
Pilot phase
09/2022 – 10/2023
Second phase
11/2023 – 03/2025
Follow-up project Re:MatchJob since
04/2025
In summer 2023, Re:Match piloted the previously developed matching process for the first time together with Pairity and Salam Lab. In three cohorts, 78 Ukrainian protection seekers were matched with 6 German municipalities and supported in their relocation. The data and results served as the basis for two reports (see below) and the further development of the process, the algorithm and the matching criteria.
In summer 2024, Re:Match worked with Pairity and Right to Protection to put the findings from the pilot phase directly into practice. In a second matching and relocation phase, consisting of two cohorts, 59 Ukrainian protection seekers were finally matched with 7 German municipalities and supported in their relocation. The project is thus gathering further valuable experience and data in order to further develop the process for possible scaling. This additional data is currently being comprehensively analysed and the results will be published towards the end of 2024.
Re:Match places a strong emphasis on relevant partnerships and targeted collaboration with people seeking protection, local authorities, and stakeholders from politics, administration, academia, and civil society. By sharing knowledge and working together to refine matching criteria, the algorithm, and relocation and admission processes, we aim to consolidate the positive impact of Re:Match in the long term. At the same time, we are assessing how these processes need to be adapted to apply the matching system to different groups of people seeking protection.
Engaging in close dialogue with political decision-makers at the European, national, and municipal levels allows us to explore potential avenues for scaling up and to generate support for the idea.
