To bridge this gap, the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania has launched the project „NGOs Equipped for Civic Resilience” with a mission to empower NGOs in crisis response through insights and methodologies inspired by the Nordic region. This initiative, the first of its kind in Lithuania, seeks to establish practical pathways for collaboration between civil society and public authorities in crisis situations.

The project’s lead partner in Lithuania is the National Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO Coalition), with expert support from Nordic partners, including the Finnish National Rescue Association SPEK and the County Administrative Board of Skåne, Sweden.

Helén Nilsson, Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania

„Building societal security including civil preparedness and resilience is an important priority for the Nordic Council of Ministers in its efforts to become the most sustainable and inclusive region by 2030,” says Helén Nilsson, Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania. ”The strength of the Nordic countries lies in trust and mobilising resources of both the state and its citizens.  We believe that the project will further empower NGOs in crisis management, contribute to the resilience of civil society, and strengthen the Nordic-Baltic region as a whole through the sharing of experiences.”

The project kicked off with a series of introductory training sessions in six Lithuanian municipalities – Alytus, Kėdainiai, Klaipėda, Kupiškis, Telšiai, and the Vilnius district. These sessions include a comprehensive overview of the security landscape and current crisis management frameworks at both local and national levels. Through workshops, NGOs can evaluate their capacities and define their roles in handling crises ranging from natural disasters to complex hybrid threats. Active participants include the Lithuanian Disability Organisations Forum, the National Poverty Reduction Network, Maisto Bankas, Lithuanian Caritas, Scouts, and many other dedicated NGOs.

Gaja Šavelė, Head of the National NGO Coalition, underscores the vital role of NGOs in crisis situations: “NGOs, both large and small, demonstrate remarkable agility in responding to emergencies, bringing specialized expertise and resources to the forefront. To effectively tackle future challenges, we must build on this spirit of collaboration.”

Gaja Šavelė, Head of the National NGO Coalition

In each training location, NGOs and municipal leaders have identified specific areas for improvement, from enhancing support for individuals with disabilities to strengthening evacuation protocols and community communications. The next major step in spring 2025 will be practical, table-top crisis exercises in these municipalities, tailored to address local priorities and optimize coordination among diverse actors. A similar national-level exercise will follow later in the year.

The project also includes study visits to Sweden and Finland and the hosting of international forums on civic resilience. These gatherings will convene experts from the Nordic-Baltic region and Ukraine, along with representatives from NGOs, state and municipal authorities, and private sector partners. By sharing expertise, participants will collaboratively shape best practices and discuss necessary innovations for robust civic resilience, informed by real-world experiences in the Nordic-Baltic region and Ukraine.

The project is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania and is complemented by the initiatives and events of the NGO Coalition, which are implemented with the financial support of the Ministry of National Defence.