Honest answers to real questions.
Everything about applying, matching, and the programme. If your question isn't here, send it through the contact form.
What is Smarch?
Smarch — short for Smart Match — is a collaboration platform that helps you shape your career by matching you with the right team. You focus on your role. Your teammates handle theirs. The goal: you get to work doing what you're good at.
Our mission: use skill-based matching to create balanced, complementary teams — so you can focus on your craft while teammates cover the other roles. Once your project is funded, you start working in your role.
Who should apply to Smarch?
Anyone 18+ who wants to build something real with others. People looking for a path back into meaningful work, people with an idea they want to develop, people who want to contribute their skills to a complementary team.
What we ask of you: honesty about your availability and commitment level, willingness to stay engaged, and commitment to help your teammates build real opportunity — not just yourself.
Is Smarch free for participants?
Yes — permanently. Smarch is a Swedish ideell förening, a nonprofit. We never take money from participants: applying, matching, meeting your team, the whole programme — free, now and later.
How do I apply?
Three steps: create an account, complete the survey (35 questions across four phases), and submit it. We review your application and you enter the matching queue.
You can save your progress and return anytime — just make sure to submit when you're done. Write naturally; there's no corporate language filter here.
How long does the survey take?
Usually somewhere between 12 and 25 minutes, depending on how much you want to write. It's split into four phases: basic information, individual dreams, collaborative reality, and practical implementation.
You can save your progress and come back anytime.
What happens after I submit my application?
Right away you receive a confirmation email with your unique case number. Then you enter the matching queue.
Matching runs weekly, and the queue prioritises the people who have been searching longest. When it's your turn, we email you — first to confirm your availability, then with your team invitation.
How does matching work?
We analyse survey responses to form balanced teams with complementary skills and aligned direction — considering skills, experience, availability and team dynamics together. The process is designed to be fair and unbiased.
The queue order is simple and honest: the people who have been searching longest go first.
Can I choose my own team members?
Matching is done by us, but we're flexible. If you know someone who would be perfect for your team, contact us — we can add them if it responds to the team's needs. A referral feature is on our roadmap.
What if I don't get matched in the first round?
You stay in the queue — no need to reapply. You'll be considered in every following round, and we email you when it's your turn.
One ask: keep your availability status updated. If your situation changes, mark yourself as not available — it's a small act of respect to the other participants waiting. Silence is what harms the process.
What happens after I'm matched with a team?
You work with your team to build something together — and once it's funded, you start working in your role.
Your team collaborates through a structured programme paced over ~6 weeks, moving at its own speed. We recommend two team meetings per week (camera-on), plus time for tasks and deliverables between meetings.
Outcome: once your project secures funding, grants, or paying clients — you start your paid position in the role you applied for.
Is Smarch full-time or part-time? Do I need to quit my job?
You choose your commitment level during the survey. Some participants are employed, some aren't, some are between roles — you decide what you can dedicate.
No, you don't need to quit your job. There will be weekly meetings to attend and tasks to complete. As your project grows and secures funding, moving to full-time paid work is a decision you make with your team when the time is right.
Why are cameras required in meetings?
All meetings are camera-on, for everybody. We want to create remote work that feels like working with real people — and there's no way to do that with cameras off.
It builds trust, shows respect and engagement, and makes the best first impression on the people you're about to build with. We know it can feel hard some days — but we need you to show up, especially in the first meetings. (Unless your first meeting is in person, of course! 😊)
Can I leave my team?
Yes — stepping back is always okay. But please communicate first.
Talk to your team honestly, then contact us — we may be able to find a replacement if the role is crucial. Leaving in silence is what harms the team; telling people is what makes it okay.
Can I be on multiple teams?
We believe one team at a time is enough — but there are no strict rules.
Good to know: when you're assigned to a team, you leave the matching queue. If you decline a team invitation, you go back into the queue. If you don't respond at all, you're marked unresponsive and removed from matching — so keep your availability status honest.
Is my data safe?
Yes. We're GDPR-compliant and take security seriously. All data is stored in EU regions. You control your profile information, you can export your data anytime, and you can delete your account anytime.
Learn more: Privacy Policy · GDPR rights
Can I update my profile after submitting?
Yes, with one limitation. You can update your contact information, profile picture, bio, and availability status anytime.
Survey answers are locked after submission to keep matching fair. If you need to change something in your answers, use the contact form.
What if I have technical issues?
We're here to help — send us a message through the contact form and we'll get you back on track as quickly as possible.
I forgot my password. What do I do?
Go to the password reset page, enter your email address, and follow the instructions we send you. If the email doesn't arrive, check your spam folder — or contact us.