What is GARNET-E?

GARNET-E stands for GMES and Africa: Regional Network for information Exchange and Training in Emergencies. A team of 17 Partners – led by Infoterra from the UK, supported through €1Million EU funding starting 1st May 2010.

How long has GARNET-E been running?
GARNET-E will run over 2 years with a start date of 1^st May 2010 and will end 30^th April 2012.

What are its objectives?
At the highest level, the overarching objective of GARNET-E is:

To contribute to the partial re-alignment of the “GMES Emergency Response in Africa” agenda, from  technical activities focussed purely on risk and poverty reduction and response using European capacities, to those more directed to building sustainable local capacities, leading to real wealth creation in Africa.

This will be achieved through the two sub-objectives:

To enable the integration of African requirements in the definition of future operation of the Emergency Response Core Service in Africa
To encourage the strengthening and building of regional and local capabilities, to allow African users and policy makers to access the EO-derived information provided by the Emergency Response Core Service

Further technical sub-objectives flowing from these are:

To exchange information, mainly through training exercises, on the operation of the GMES Emergency Response Core Service and the International Charter Space and Major Disasters
To improve the quality and efficacy of the GMES Emergency Response Core Service itself, through consideration of requirements gathering exercises and the ingestion of in-situ data

Who is guiding GARNET-E at an executive level?
The Project Coordinator, Infoterra, is in charge of leading the GARNET-E project and holds the executive responsibility to the EC, the funding party.

The project Management Steering Board will meet bi-monthly, via teleconference, with physical meetings annually. Each workpackage leader (ie. Infoterra, ITC, RCMRD, GeoSAS and Arsenale) will have a place on this Board. The Board will be responsible for the operation of the GARNET-E network and for the production and quality of the respective deliverables (each member having responsibility for that specific workpackage).

The Independent Advisory Board (IAB) provides advice and guidance for the project.  The role of the Independent Advisory Board is to provide support to the EC Technical Officer and the Project Coordinator in setting and reviewing the top-level objectives for the duration of the project.

How many people are involved?
The GARNET-E consortium is a team of 17 partners across Africa and Europe.

Working with partners: UNITAR/UNOSAT, UN-SPIDER and UNEDRA

What is GMES?
Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security (GMES) is a joint initiative of the European Commission and the European Space Agency, designed to establish a European capacity for the provision and use of operational information for Global Monitoring of Environment and Security. More details on GMES can be found on the GMES.info website which is dedicated to this activity.

What is ERS SAFER?
ERS SAFER is one of three GMES services that have been identified as first candidates for “fast track” treatment, with the objective of being operational by 2008. The Emergency Response Core Service (ERS) has been selected with the objective to reinforce the European capacity to respond to crises and emergencies associated with natural, technological and humanitarian disasters. ERS focus will be on the provision of rapid mapping and assessment services.

Where can I find more information about the project?
GARNET-E uploads the majority of its project deliverables and publications on to the website.

I have some feedback for the GARNET-E project, how can I send it to you?
GARNET-E is always keen to hear feedback so that we can improve our services.   There is a private forum area where feedback can be left – please register to use this service.

Where can I find updates on GARNET-E?
GARNET-E provides up to date news of its activities and achievements on its news page.

What events will GARNET-E be present at?

UN SPIDER Workshop – July 2010
AARSE Conference 2010 – October
RCMRD Conference of Ministers – November 2010
Africa GIS – October 2011

A full list of all events (which will be continually updated) is available on the news page.

This post is also available in: French, Portuguese (Portugal)