Through the project “NGO Equipped for Civic Resilience”,  introductory trainings and tabletop exercises were conducted in more than ten municipalities across Lithuania. These activities strengthened cooperation among local NGOs, municipal authorities, emergency services, preparedness officers, and representatives of the national defense system.

While national-level planning and exercises are essential, it is equally important to invest in and empower organizations at the local level – as they are the first to respond when disaster strikes.

Forum discussion topics

During the forum, we will explore and discuss:

• Civic resilience and NGO participation: How does an active civil society reinforce democracy and societal security?

• Integrating NGOs into crisis preparedness: Why is it crucial to include NGOs in both local and national preparedness plans?

• Regional experiences: Insights from the Baltic and Nordic countries and Ukraine, highlighting diverse yet complementary models for mobilizing communities in times of crisis.

Who should attend

We invite local and national NGOs, public sector representatives, municipalities and their services, preparedness officers, elderships, and all those interested in strengthening NGO engagement in crisis management.

The event will provide a space not only to exchange best practices but also to build new partnerships – helping to create stronger, more resilient communities across the region.

Preliminary programme (subject to updates)

10:00 – Opening Remarks

• Ole Andreas LINDEMAN, Director, Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania
• Vilmantas VITKAUSKAS, irector, National Crisis Management Centre

10:30 – The Role of NGOs in Crisis Management in Lithuania: NGOs as part of the first response line – experiences, challenges, and solutions

• Gaja ŠAVELĖ, Head, National NGO Coalition
• Jūratė BLINSTRUBAITĖ, Kėdainiai District Municipality
• Representatives from: Lithuanian Red Cross, Lithuanian Caritas, Order of Malta Relief Organization, Food Bank, Lithuanian Disability Organizations Forum, Save the Children

11:30 – Coffee Break

11:45 – The Role of NGOs in Crisis Management in the Nordic Countries: How to mobilize crisis volunteers effectively

• Ole Andreas LINDEMAN / Mindaugas DAMIJONAITIS, Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania
• Jari HONKANEN, Ministry of the Interior, Finland
• Kalle HAKALA, Voluntary Rescue Service VAPEPA / SVAP ry, Finland
• Andreas Andersson KURDVE, Skåne County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen Skåne), Sweden
• Mattias LARSSON, Civil Society Network in Skåne (NÄTVERKET), Sweden

12:45 – The Role of NGOs in Crisis Management in Ukraine: Lessons learned from wartime experiences

13:45 – Summary

14:00 – Lunch Break

14:45 – Discussion and Networking: Integrating NGOs into Crisis Management in the Baltic–Nordic Region

• Common experiences: What shared challenges have emerged across countries and institutions?
• Cooperation potential: How can we exchange and apply each other’s expertise more effectively?
• Bridging sectors: How can we strengthen collaboration among NGOs, municipalities, and state institutions?

16:00 – Forum Closing