Our new project Re:Match aims to pilot an innovative model for a better, human rights-based and more sustainable distribution of people seeking protection in Europe and thus offer a solution to the current challenges in the reception and (European) redistribution of refugees from Ukraine.
Since February 2022, more than 6 million people have fled Ukraine to neighbouring European countries as a result of the Russian war of aggression. Fleeing the war in Ukraine remains a major challenge, especially for local politics in Europe. This winter, in addition to other escape routes, a further influx of people seeking protection from Ukraine is expected. However, there are still serious gaps in the German distribution and reception system. In order to close these gaps in the best possible way, the exact capacities, needs and individual profiles of municipalities and people seeking protection should be taken into account in the further reception and distribution process. What could this look like in practice?
We would like to build on international experience and, as part of the pilot project Re:Match for this purpose an algorithm-supported Matching mechanism with various stakeholders in a participatory manner. In the first phase, criteria such as municipal infrastructure, housing and labour market and language services will be developed together with local authorities. For people seeking protection, criteria such as family ties, work experience and other special needs will be relevant. In the second phase of the project, protection seekers from Ukraine will be paired with German municipalities with the help of this matching mechanism.
This matching is intended to ensure both Individualised and needs-oriented admission of protection seekers as also room for manoeuvre for German municipalities be made possible. In recent years, municipalities in Europe have become important players in migration policy and have repeatedly shown their solidarity with refugees and their willingness to take them in. Re:Match wants to test for the first time how voluntary municipal reception could work at European level.
We are looking for adventurous Municipalities!
The Berlin Governance Platform wants to work closely with 10 to 15 German municipalities, international matching experts and refugees themselves to develop relevant criteria for matching and bring 100 to 150 people into the best possible match with partner municipalities.
Are you a local authority interested in taking part in the pilot project and want to find out more about the objectives and implementation steps? With our digital project kick-off on 20 October we will present the pilot project, our approach and our implementation partners in detail and enter into an exchange with you!
Find out more about the project on this page.