The ACBF and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) have agreed on a strategic partnership to strengthen knowledge sharing and learning in the Australia Africa Community Engagement Scheme (AACES). Both parties agreed that by leveraging ACBF resources, including ACBF-funded research organizations and networks, there is a strong potential for collaboration to strengthen knowledge sharing in AACES. It was also agreed that links be created with ACBF funded research institutions and civil society organizations.
During a meeting at the ACBF headquarters on 15 September 2014, the DFAT delegation from Nairobi met with the Executive Secretary and the management team and also discussed opportunities for closer collaboration with ACBF in the implementation of the AACES as well as other Australian Government’s development initiatives in Africa.
On capacity building for AACES African partners, ACBF will work with DFAT to examine ways the AACES programme can benefit from training that is regularly offered to ACBF grantees on monitoring and evaluation, procurement procedures, among others. ACBF will also support DFAT in organizing media coverage of AACES activities and visits to AACES project sites.
AACES is a partnership of the Australian Government, 10 Australian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and their Africa-based partners. AACES contributes to Australia’s aid strategy for Africa through community-based interventions across the sectors of water and sanitation, food security, and maternal and child health.
ACBF first managed the AACES as the Resource Facility manager for two years starting January 2012. The contract was further extended for six months to 15 July 2014. An amendment for final extension to 15 September 2016 was signed at the end of this period. The Resource Facility supports communication, coordination and management of the AACES.
The DFAT team comprised of the First Secretary, Development Cooperation, Leisa Gibson, Second Secretary, Development Cooperation, Daniel Kark, Senior Program Manager-Civil Society, Alice Oyaro and the Coordinator, AACES Resource Facility Manager, Ernest Etti.
Read more on the AACES program.
