Connections have existed between the communities of Lancashire and Gulu in Uganda for fifteen years. The two communities are now entering a new phase in their relationship through an exciting project focussed around sustainable development and carbon compensation.

The Gulu Carbon Compensation Scheme is a four way partnership between 2 local charities and the 2 councils in Lancashire and Gulu. At its core is the premise that Lancastrians can compensate for some of their carbon emissions by helping those who are already feeling the effects of climate change to better deal with the consequences.

The project, which has received initial seed funding as part of Lancashire County Council's Community Climate Change Programme, aims to support practical, small scale, locally-determined and managed projects in Gulu, which will make it easier for local residents to adapt to, and mitigate, climate change. Lancashire County Council provide technical advice on climate change issues and the scheme involves communities in Lancashire and Gulu, which helps to raise awareness of the issues affecting both communities.

The Carbon Compensation Scheme (CCS) was launched in Preston in June 2008, with the signing of a formal partnership agreement between all four partners. The delegation from Gulu then undertook a study programme to see how Lancashire is tackling some of the issues associated with the CCS projects in Gulu. This included visits throughout lancashire to local waste recycling companies, charities, bee-keeping groups, a bio-diesel manufacturer, one of the County's wetlands, youth groups, schools, forestry sites, agricultural colleges, cultural and community group and the County Council.

Although the link was initially managed by the council, responsibility for the link with Gulu has now been devolved to a community-based charity, Lancashire-Gulu Link. Derek Taylor from Lancashire-Gulu Link said "involving community groups brought in valuable knowledge to the project and reduced the workload fo council officers...we also found that members of the public and businesses were more supportive of the project".

There are six projects in the initial phase, which include integrated wetland and conservation management; bio-diesel production, smallholder timber plantations; integrated bee keeping, agro-forestry & organic farming and community recycling & reuse. All projects have been proposed and designed in discussion with local people, with advice and support from the Gulu Partners. This helps each project to meet both the CCS critieria and local needs and priorities for improving economic, social and environmental well being. Each fosters community participation and will help local groups to work together for mutual benefit. For further information read the full case study.