The creation of resilient and robust societies capable of recovering from shocks is essential in a world increasingly affected by economic, political, environmental, climate and health crises or, in the worst case, war. Society and the environment are constantly evolving and we are currently navigating the challenges posed by the green transition in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Civil preparedness must evolve to address both the desired and unintended consequences of that ongoing change.
A well-thought-out approach to crisis management, regular practice of crisis responses and a common framework for information dissemination and communication are crucial for ensuring robust regional development. Having a clear plan and structure for how various actors should respond during a crisis enables the flexibility needed for a region to be considered robust and resilient. Robustness, therefore, refers to a society where access to essential resources such as food, heating, electricity, infrastructure, services and materials is maintained, even during periods of turbulence or unexpected events.
The regions interviewed in this study recognise the value of strategic civil preparedness efforts within the context of regional policy, provided there are clear governmental directives and allocated resources. The study demonstrates that strengthening the territorial dimension of civil protection through tools like smart specialisation and spatial planning can add value. National regional development strategies should promote and support the implementation of such tools at the regional (or sub-national) and local level to optimise effectiveness and ensure appropriate risk management based on local contexts.
Nordic cooperation presents an opportunity to enhance the functionality of interactions between institutional actors across public administrations. Promoting open dialogue between Nordic countries' representatives is essential. This study’s researchers recommend constructively addressing doubts, risks and shortcomings, particularly as more societal tasks are shared between municipalities, contracted to private companies or carried out by civil society organisations. Under such a collaborative model with shared responsibilities, unclear power dynamics and ambiguities may arise, potentially obscuring accountability.
Regional development tools, such as smart specialisation and spatial planning, can be effectively used to further incorporate civil preparedness into regional policy. Those tools facilitate proactive, long-term planning and decision-making tailored to the specific conditions of each region. Their increased use can also contribute to a more just green transition, as one of their primary functions is to integrate diverse spatial, temporal and stakeholder perspectives. Moreover, employing smart specialisation and spatial planning to implement government policies at regional (or municipal) levels can further strengthen the territorial dimension of civil preparedness.