South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) and the South Asian Journal initiated a project in 2005 to develop an interactive network of experts for the South Asian Policy Analysis (SAPANA) Network, to be set-up in 2006. SAPANA Network, a non-partisan, South Asia-wide research and policy analysis network, is to be the first independent South Asian think-thank in the region and is expected to play an influential role in guiding discussion, analysis and policy both in South Asia and outside the region.

SAPANA comprises 14 Research Groups, which have focused on a certain issue or area of policy analysis. The Research Groups have undertaken research, critically analysed current policies, and recommended policy alternatives in the designated area. After necessary amendments during the South Asian Journal Conference, these policy papers will be published in mid-2006 as 14 books.
The aim is to utilise the research and analysis being undertaken in the region and to put together these efforts in a holistic frame and evolve a South Asian Policy Analysis platform -- a South Asian think-tank. Members of each Research Group are carefully chosen from a long list of experts in the area of specialisation and amongst those who work on the South Asian region.