Re:Match rethinks solidarity in the European Union (EU) and the distribution of protection seekers in a new and participatory way: in contrast to conventional processes, our approach of relocation via matching takes into account the individual profiles and preferences of protection seekers and matches them with the infrastructural framework conditions and capacities of the municipalities. In this way, Re:Match achieves an individually customised distribution of people seeking protection and lays the foundation for successful integration, strong future prospects and better municipal planning opportunities.
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) and phase II (2024) of Re:Match, 137 Ukrainian protection seekers were relocated to 8 German municipalities. Starting in March 2025, the Re:Match team will continue its work under the new project, Re:MatchJob.
With Re:MatchJob, the Berlin Governance Platform will focus specifically on expanding those matching criteria and processes that make it easier for people seeking protection to find their way into local labour markets. In a participatory process with protection seekers, municipalities and labour market experts, we analyse how data-driven matching can bring together the existing qualifications and professional interests of protection seekers in a more targeted manner, taking into account their individual circumstances, with the needs of local labour markets and the vocational training offers of host municipalities and thus - in addition to the existing matching criteria - make a further contribution to the successful development of an independent future in the new municipality.
Re:MatchJob is being developed in close cooperation with international partners (Pairity and 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 an innovative contribution to fair and effective distribution, efficient reception and successful integration. At the same time, the project enables an innovative implementation of the EU solidarity mechanism and distribution systems at national and local levels.
04/2025 – 08/2026
Predecessor project Re:Match already
since 09/2022
European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) of the European Union
People seeking protection who took part in Re:Match in 2023 and 2024 show a measurably high willingness to build a future for themselves in their new community(Follow-up evaluation report: 12 month results).This is reflected, among other things, in their above-average speed of language acquisition, strong social ties and first steps into the labour market - key factors for independence and social participation. Despite this very positive trend, our evaluation also showed that Re:Match participants in their first year in their new municipality want more labour market-relevant resources to support their integration into the labour market. These include sufficient language skills, quick access to childcare, recognition of professional qualifications, personal networks and information about the local labour market. These hurdles are perceived as frustrating and delay entry into the German labour market - one of the most important points in matching for most Re:Match participants. The federal government and local authorities also see labour market integration as a key challenge - and equally as a great opportunity. In order to help people seeking protection integrate into local labour markets, settling-in, language acquisition, and job entry must happen in parallel. Our matching programme enables key steps to be taken as early as the allocation stage to receiving municipalities. Re:MatchJob builds on existing knowledge and develops relevant criteria and processes in a targeted manner.
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.
