Australia Africa Community Engagement Scheme The Australia Africa Community Engagement Scheme (AACES) initiative provides funding for Australian Non- Government Organisations (NGOs) and their Africa-based partners to implement community development programs in Africa. It supports Australia's strategic objectives through a focus on the priority sectors of food security, water, sanitation and hygiene, and maternal and child health. The NGOs work with their African partner organisations to deliver activities in the priority sectors that contribute to policy engagement on African development issues and improve basic service delivery to poor and marginalised people in eleven African countries. The total value of this multi-country initiative is $83.2 million over 6 years, starting 2010-11.