The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 proved a wake-up call for Ukrainians, and transformed civil preparedness from a theoretical concept into a vital survival and resilience practice. This paper examines Ukraine’s civil preparedness, using Lviv as a regional case study. Situated in the safer, western part of the country, the city has become a humanitarian aid hub, and serves as a testing ground for innovative crisis management, community mobilisation and resilience-building strategies.
This research highlights the efforts of national and regional authorities. Local governments, universities, businesses and civil society continue to work together to deliver essential services such as energy, healthcare, education, and psychological and physical rehabilitation, while also protecting civilians and internally displaced persons.
Key themes include multi-level governance, energy and healthcare adaptability, digital tools (e.g. the Diia platform for alerts and shelter mapping), and the increasing involvement of private business and volunteer networks in crisis management. The study also examines social and psychological resilience, including community-based practices such as “Toloka” and social-communicative strategies involving inspirational members of the community, art therapy and inclusive communication.
The situation in Ukraine, and especially in Lviv, shows that effective civil preparedness relies on co-operation, adaptability and trust. These insights offer valuable lessons for the Nordic countries and others seeking to strengthen regional and community crisis resilience.
