SMILE CITY provides realistic circular systemic solutions to support the evolution toward a carbon-neutral, environmentally sustainable, toxic-free, and circular economy by 2050.

The project brings together a consortium of 35 public and private partners from twelve European and non-European countries and is funded by the Horizon Europe framework program.

The main objective of SMILE CITY is to integrate innovative systemic solutions into up to 100 km of cycle paths and implement 20 e-bike charging stations, developed using various types of recycled urban waste: construction materials, end-of-life (EoL) tires, and end-of-life batteries from electric vehicles. The planned innovations include the creation of e-bike charging stations made from prefabricated recycled concrete elements and photovoltaic panels also produced with recycled materials, and the installation of recycled rubber molded products for urban furniture, such as rubber bollards, lane dividers, and rubberized asphalt, thereby contributing to increased sustainability and safety.

SMILE CITY will therefore assemble the state-of-the-art technology from the various value chains involved to implement circular systemic solutions in 7 different EU and non-EU countries, supporting the transition toward a regenerative, inclusive, and circular economy at the local and regional scale across Europe, thus fostering interregional and cross-border cooperation.