The Berlin Governance Platform, the International Rescue Committee, and HIAS Europe have joined forces to call on EU institutions and Member States to strengthen relocation as a cornerstone of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. Relocation, when done fairly and effectively, eases pressure on border countries, offers safe pathways for people seeking protection, and improves long-term integration in host communities. Yet, without strong political will, the new Solidarity Mechanism risks becoming symbolic rather than transformative.
This policy brief draws on years of programmatic experience and highlights good practices such as data-driven matching, participatory relocation, and community sponsorship. It provides concrete recommendations to make EU relocation fairer, faster, and more transparent—placing vulnerability, family unity, and the agency of protection seekers at the center.