Lango Safe
Water Project
The world's first Gold Standard Gender Responsive certified safe water project, restoring boreholes across Lango while advancing safer water access, women's participation and economic independence.
Safe water that advances gender equality
Since 2013, CO2balance has worked to increase access to safe water in Northern Uganda through the rehabilitation of boreholes. The Lango Safe Water Project is one of our largest safe water programmes, restoring 163 boreholes between 2016 and 2019 across Alebtong, Dokolo, Otuke and Kole.
The project reduces reliance on wood fuel for water purification, lowering emissions while improving daily life for households that previously had to travel long distances for water. Its impact is strongest for women and children, who most often carry the burden of water collection.
In 2020, the Lango Safe Water Project received the first-ever Gold Standard Gender Responsive Certification, recognising the project's measurable contribution to women's safety, representation and economic opportunity.
The project data shows significant gender outcomes: the Water Resource Committee is now 47% women and 53% men, domestic violence linked to water collection reduced from 35% to 1%, and 99% of surveyed water users report using saved time for income-generating activities.
Being able to have a daily source of income without having to solely depend on my husband has highly improved my life.
Fiona Mercy Akullu, from Alebtong District, is a farmer whose life changed when safe water became available much closer to home. She relies on water for her business making mandazi from fresh cassava, so nearby safe water has strengthened both her livelihood and her safety.
Before the project, long journeys to collect water created risk and uncertainty. Fiona describes how a nearby water source reduced her exposure to assault, bullying and overcrowded water points, while also making it easier to balance domestic work, farming and small-business activity.
For Fiona, financial independence matters as much as convenience. She explains that she is now able to afford basic needs for herself and her children, while her family uses free time for making mandazi, cooking, farming, playing and bonding.
Rehabilitation, training and long-term care
The project rehabilitated 163 boreholes across four districts of the Lango sub-region, providing communities with reliable safe water closer to home and reducing the need to boil water over wood fires.
The local Water Resource Committee now has 47% women and 53% men, creating stronger representation in how water points are managed, protected and prioritised.
Every surveyed water user reported using saved time for domestic tasks, with 99% using that time for income-generating activities and 94% for social, religious or leisure activities.
Verified emissions reductions from avoided boiling support long-term project delivery. The model shows how carbon finance can fund climate action while delivering measurable gender and community benefits.
Impact beyond verified emissions
In addition to reducing emissions, the Lango Safe Water Project delivers measurable social and economic co-benefits. The project supports safer access to water, stronger household economics, women's representation and more equitable outcomes for the communities it serves.
UN SDGs contributed to by this project
Built on trusted partnerships
CO2balance developed the project model and supports the delivery, monitoring and carbon-finance structure that makes long-term safe water access viable.
The committee's more balanced representation - 47% women and 53% men - helps ensure safe water governance reflects the people most affected by water collection.
The project’s success is visible in the businesses women like Fiona can build when time is no longer consumed by water collection and wood gathering.
More from our safe water portfolio
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