As part of the University of Hildesheim’s joint exhibition stand, Match’In 2.0 presented an interactive game developed specifically for the festival, illustrating the core idea of needs-oriented allocation in the form of relocation. Under the motto “Imagine you are moving,” visitors were asked to assign five cards representing different individuals or groups of people to one of three fictional destinations (city, countryside, seaside). The challenge was that each destination offered only a limited amount of housing.
The German version of the location cards and character cards can be found here: Ortskarten, Personenkarten
Several questions emerged throughout the game, such as “Can all needs be met at a new destination?”, “Should I choose to live by the sea because it is my personal dream, or should I prioritize the needs of my child wanting to join a sports club?”, “What does a medical student need most urgently?”, or “How can a retired couple lead a balanced life?”. These discussions encouraged a reflection on different understandings of what constitutes a “good life”. The game provided a fitting introduction to the Match’In project, which matches the needs and characteristics of asylum seekers with the services, opportunities, and infrastructure available in municipalities. It aims to support a more suitable allocation process that eases the burden on municipalities and creates the best possible starting conditions for asylum seekers.
The festival made an exchange with a wide range of stakeholders possible, including Hildesheim’s Mayor Ingo Meyer, District Administrator Bernd Lynack, representatives of the city administration, and members of the local community. A discussion explored potential links to the Hildesheim app, while the mayor’s visit provided an opportunity for a direct dialogue with the project team. The positive response to the interactive game and the subsequent conversations showed the importance of engaging with individual needs and life situations for social participation.
