ReCycle-Moi

The association ReCycle-Moi is among the 2025 laureates of the Fondation Setec Transition Fund, thanks to its project “A Bike Under the Christmas Tree”, a solidarity initiative with a double virtuous impact, combining professional integration, accessible sustainable mobility, and reuse!

Context

Based in Hauts-de-France, in Roubaix, the association aims to reuse as many bicycles as possible on a large scale and to create jobs for people facing difficulties.

Project Objectives

Many people in vulnerable situations face difficulties accessing a bicycle. Yet having a bike provides affordable, eco-friendly mobility and benefits their health.

Through the project “A Bike Under the Christmas Tree”, 300 bicycles will be repaired and put back into circulation in 2026 to provide mobility and independence to children and young adults living in precarious conditions in the North of France. The bikes will be distributed by engaged organizations such as child protection associations (for example, SPRENE and Sauvegarde du Nord), which target the most in-need beneficiaries.

Each young person will receive a bike adapted to their size, fully equipped and ready to ride, and will be supported in learning how to use and maintain it, ensuring a lasting impact.

The project is coordinated by the management team, which handles partnership development with social organizations, fundraising, and communication. Bicycle preparation and reuse are managed by a technical supervisor, supported by a team of trainee mechanics and 6 to 10 volunteers. Bikes are collected through donations from individuals, via reuse points at recycling centers (in partnership with MEL), or from sports stores that collect bicycles not repaired by their customers.

Project Impacts

Participating in the “A Bike Under the Christmas Tree” initiative generates a dual positive impact:

• Providing freedom of mobility to people in need.

• Supporting the ReCycle-Moi workshop in its mission of bicycle reuse and professional integration.

The project also promotes bike learning for children and people unfamiliar with cycling, spreading a passion for biking widely.

Through its approach of reuse and sustainable mobility, the project also contributes to reducing the carbon footprint. A study is currently underway in collaboration with a researcher from the Catholic University of Lille to quantify the positive impact of bicycle reuse.

The Role of the Fondation Setec

The Fondation Setec supports ReCycle-Moi with €22,500, enabling the repair and reuse of 150 bicycles, representing 50% of the project, to benefit children and young adults living in precarious situations in the North of France.