Amila Mohamadi and her husband Masud Ali Sudi are taking part in the CARE AACES program to improve their food security which they say is being affected by climate change. They live in Likonde Village, Tanzania. Photo: Josh Estey/CARE

During the first year of implementation, AACES has been successful in laying the foundation for achieving the program's objectives. While much remains to be done, tangible change is already apparent. For example, more marginalised people; particularly women, young people and people with disability have a greater voice and influence and are better able to access services in health, water, sanitation and agriculture.

In addition, the training conducted by AACES NGOs using rights-based, strengths-based and other community-based approaches to development, has contributed to communities gaining confidence and trust in their ability to demand services and drive their own development agendas. Communities are also better able to engage constructively with government departments, decision-makers and other stakeholders around the delivery of services and to hold people in authority more accountable for their responsibilities.

Furthermore, the inclusive management of the program and regular information sharing between AusAID and AACES NGO partners reflects the AACES partnership principles.

Looking forward and drawing on the lessons and challenges from the past year, there will be a greater focus on consolidating progress in key areas by:

• ensuring that more people with disability can access services and are better able to advocate and influence change
• promoting gender equity in decision-making and access to program benefits
• encouraging responsiveness of national governments and local authorities and strengthening their capacity to meet the needs of women and children, people with disability and other marginalised groups
• strengthening the AACES partnership to increase collaboration and synergies between partners. The outlook also includes more emphasis on exchanging information and lessons between AACES partners and AusAID and increasing communication and outreach activities for the Australian public. Progress achieved during the year has provided a strong base for expanding the scale of activities in the coming year.