Re:Match - needs-based and individualised relocation of protection seekers via algorithm-based matching

Logo of the Berlin Governance Platform's Re:Match pilot project in four colours. The individual pieces of the symbol match with the others to create a matching whole.

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. In the 2023 pilot phase, Pilot phase 2023 were 78 Ukrainian asylum seekerswho were present in Poland were successfully prevented by the data- and preference-driven procedure. matched with six German municipalities and supported them 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 asylum seekers relocated to 8 German municipalities via Re:Match rose to 137.

 

Re:Match is created in close cooperation with international partners, municipalities and people seeking protection and shows how Participatory and solidarity-based approaches for local and customised reception of people seeking protection in Germany and other EU member states can be developed. The project thus presents a innovative contribution to fair and effective distribution, efficient reception and successful integration. The aim is to relieve the burden on external EU border states and support local authorities as well as protection seekers themselves in their reception and integration at the same time.

 

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Project evaluation and recommendations - our publications

The project is continuously evaluated and accompanied by advocacy work at the local, national, and European levels. The latest publication is an implementation guide titled "Data-Driven Matching of Refugees and Cities". Based on the two-year Re:Match pilot, this guide presents valuable experiences and recommendations for data-driven direct relocation and reception of refugees into cities, highlights application potential, and outlines the key steps of the matching process.

Two evaluation reports have already been published on the basis of initial project results. The Interim Evaluation Report provides detailed technical and content-related insights into the Re:Match processes until January 2024. The latest publication From Arrival to Belonging: Six Months Results complements the conclusions of this previous evaluation by providing insights into the integration successes of the participating protection seekers six months after their relocation.

Following the first phase, findings and recommendations for policymakers, municipalities, and civil society stakeholders were presented in the report titled "Re:Match as an innovative tool for the relocation of protection seekers"  .

Berlin Governance Platform Pairity Re:Match - Relocation via Matching - From Arrival to Belonging: Results after six months Evaluation Pilot Project September 2024
Cover photo for the Interim Evaluation report of the BGP Pilot Project Re:Match - Relocation via Matching
Cover photo for the Insights & recommendations report of the BGP project Re:Match - Relocation via Matching
"The successful pilot implementation of Re:Match shows that a human rights-based and participatory European migration policy with the involvement of people seeking protection and local authorities is possible."

The Re:Match process in brief

Successful implementation process

1.Co-Designing the Match Criteria & Algorithm

The Re:Match Preference Algorithm, developed by Pairity builds on years of experience in algorithmic matching matching of refugees. In close collaboration with our implementation partners, it was adapted to the project context through a participatory process (workshops, focus groups, and continuous feedback) with displaced Ukrainiansand participating cities. This participatory design empowers participants by promoting autonomy, collaboration, and self-determination. 

2. Data Collection: Cities

Municipal data is collected via digital questionnaires, completed by municipal representatives. The questionnaires included static and dynamic information such as accommodation capacity, labor market needs, and available services. Many municipalities highlighted how this process fostered interdepartmental collaboration. To enhance data quality and scalability, it is essential to implement digital tools and automated processes, identify and leverage existing intersections, and develop practical, secure solutions for privacy-compliant data handling.

3. Data Collection: Refugees

Biographical details, needs, and preferences of refugees are collected in  trauma-informed interviews conducted by trained (Ukrainian) staff with their own experience of displacement. This data is fed into the algorithm in accordance with data conformity. These personal interviews allow participants to ask questions and foster an early alignment of expectations. Participants value this transparency and helped refine the interview process with valuable feedback. 

4. Generating Matches: How the Algorithm Works

The Re:Match Algorithm generates individualized and needs-based matches between refugees and municipalities. The process optimizes collective welfare for participants and cities by identifying the best matches based on preferences, needs, and capacities. As a first step, the algorithm applies inclusion and exclusion criteria (e.g., accessible housing or specific requirements) to eliminate unsuitable options. In the second step, Match Scores are calculated to evaluate the quality of possible matches and maximizes resource distribution across the cohort in order to create a balance between individual and collective needs. To achieve these outcomes, millions of potential match combinations are analyzed. 

5. Match-Results Delivery & Relocation

The Re:Match Team provided individualized information to refugees and municipalities to ensure transparency and manage expectations. Refugees received detailed match results with justifications, practical information like accomodation details an arrival guide. This fosters refugees’ satisfaction and pre-integration. Municipalities were given data packages containing biometric information, needs, and professional backgrounds of participants to facilitate the preparation of arrival and reception processes.  

Ukrainian participants retained the ability to accept or decline their match. This was enabled by the European Temporary Protection Directive and may need to be adjusted for other use cases. Travel arrangements were organized by the Berlin Governance Platform. 

6. Continuous Developmental Evaluation

A developmental evaluation process accompanied Re:Match’s implementation, enabling continuous adjustments and iterative improvement according to real-time feedback. As the matching was executed in cohorts, results could be directly analyzed and applied to subsequent matching rounds. For example, insights from Phase I focus groups informed improved communication and expectation management in Phase II, leading to higher participant satisfaction.

Composition of communities of need in the matching implementation

23x single mothers with child(ren) 10x more than two adults 9x single persons 4x single mothers with child(ren) and grandmother 9x mobility restrictions 6x couples with child(ren)

Pilot phase (2023): First-time implementation of capacity-, demand- and preference-based matching

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 asylum 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. 

Phase II (2024): Implement what has been learnt, generate new findings and data

In summer 2024, Re:Match worked with Pairity and Right2Protection to put the findings from the pilot phase directly into practice. In a second matching and relocation phase, consisting of two cohorts, 59 Ukrainian asylum 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.

Media appearances & mentions

Press

Algorithm matches refugees and municipalities - better distribution is possible (Fachzeitschrift Alternative Kommunalpolitik, April 2024)

Algorithm to better distribute people seeking protection (Tagesspiegel Background, January 2024)

Migration can be better controlled (Süddeutsche Zeitung, October 2023)

"Re:Match" - Düsseldorf supports pilot project for the distribution of refugees (Düsseldorfer Stadtpost, May 2023)

Plea for an innovative migration policy (Süddeutsche Zeitung, May 2023, Paywall)

Migration: Matching for refugees (ZEIT Online, December 2022)

Distributing refugees correctly - matching instead of the Königstein key (MIGAZIN, April 2022)

Municipal reception of refugees: All good without Seehofer? (TAZ, January 2022)

Immigration - Which refugee is right for me? (Süddeutsche Zeitung, September 2021)

Scientific mentions

Radio & Podcasts

Event recordings

Technical development and strategic networking

Re:Match sets a strong Focus on relevant partnerships and targeted collaboration with people seeking protection and local authorities as well as stakeholders from politics and administration, academia and other civil society organisations. Sharing knowledge and working together on a improvement of the matching criteria, the algorithm and the relocation and admission processes. The aim is to consolidate the positive impact of Re:Match in the long term. We are also examining how the processes need to be adapted in order to be able to use the matching system for different groups of people seeking protection.

Through a Close dialogue with political decision-makers at European, national and municipal level should identify potential scalabillites for further application and generate support for the idea.

 

The Re:Match project is currently being implemented.

  • More detailed information and updates on the implementation can be found on the multilingual project website.
  • To be kept up to date, we recommend that you read our Newsletter .
  • Do you have any questions, suggestions or ideas for follow-up projects? Please feel free to contact us: rematch[at]governance-platform.org

 

News about the project

The first successes of the project have already been highlighted by the press. Here you will find blog updates, open job advertisements and our press review

Relocation via Matching: Wie bewerten Re:Match-Partnerkommunen das datengestützte Matching von Schutzsuchenden und Städten?

20. January 2025In,
Re:Match Data-Driven Matching of Refugees and Cities An Implementation Guide

Re:Match – Data-Driven Matching of Refugees and Cities - An Implementation Guide

4. December 2024In,

Webinar-Invitation: Implementing Data-Driven Matching of Refugees and Cities

14. November 2024In,
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