Global Applied Research Network- South Asia
(GARNET-SA)

The Global Applied Research Network – South Asia (GARNET-SA) is a voluntary, open, and member-driven knowledge exchange network working in the fields of water, sanitation, environment, and agriculture. Established in Bangladesh in 1992, GARNET-SA promotes collaboration and information sharing among practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and development stakeholders at national, regional, and international levels.

GARNET-SA operates as an open and demand-based platform, bringing together more than 570 professionals and organizations from Bangladesh, other South Asian countries, as well as the USA, UK, and Japan. Membership is primarily organizational, with individual membership available in specific cases. Application forms are available from the Secretariat offices of Environment and Population Research Center (EPRC) and through the website.

The network’s activities are guided by an Advisory Committee comprising representatives from leading national and international institutions, including the Environment and Population Research Center (EPRC), WEDC – Loughborough University, Water Resources Planning Organization (WARPO), WHO Bangladesh, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Department of Environment (DoE), Bangladesh, All India Institute of Public Health & Hygiene, Indian Institute of Bio-Social Research and Development (IBRAD), and Johns Hopkins University.

What We Do

GARNET-SA promotes knowledge sharing, research, and capacity development through a wide range of initiatives, including:

  • Organizing workshops, seminars, and training programs
  • Facilitating collaborative research and educational initiatives
  • Publishing a six-monthly newsletter
  • Producing diverse communication materials in partnership with member organizations
  • Supporting environmental health, hygiene promotion, and disaster response activities
  • Coordinating collaborative relief and recovery efforts during major disasters in Bangladesh
  • Providing small research fellowship grants

The network organizes four or more local information-sharing and training workshops each year, primarily based on member demand. These activities focus on strengthening the capacity of small NGOs, schools, local government institutions, and other grassroots stakeholders.

By 2010, GARNET-SA had organized 43 national and 7 international conferences and conducted collaborative research on arsenic removal technologies, including the development of the homemade Emergency GARNET Filter.

GARNET-SA History and Advance

GARNET-SA formally began operations in April 1992 following a national workshop on NGO mobilization in water supply and sanitation. Initially launched by professionals from national and international organizations, the network joined the global GARNET initiative in 1995 through collaboration with WEDC and the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC). In 1997, its scope expanded to South Asia, and in 2000 the Secretariat was transferred to the Environment and Population Research Center (EPRC).

GARNET-SA India has since been launched by IBRAD, in collaboration with EPRC, further strengthening regional cooperation.

Since its formation, Dr. Bilqis Amin Hoque has served as the Coordinator and Principal Investigator of GARNET-SA.

Ref: Proceedings of the workshop on “Mobilization of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) in water supply and sanitation, April12-13, 1992, BRAC Auditorium, Rajendrapur, Bangladesh.