This study is based on document analysis and interviews. Primary sources include semi-structured expert interviews with 8 Ukrainian specialists from key sectors: civil preparedness, healthcare, education, public administration, energy and the volunteer sector. The interviews were conducted during the period 5 July to 10 September 2025. The interview respondents were selected through a process of selective sampling, taking into account their expertise in key areas of civil preparedness. Contacts were obtained through professional networks and personal communication channels.
Documents were selected based on their official status, credibility and relevance to the topics of civil preparedness, resilience and humanitarian coordination. As noted in the list of references, source documents consist of legislative and regulatory acts; governmental and regional decrees, strategies, and methodological guidelines; reports and publications of international organisations; academic papers and research reports; institutional, project and organisational reports; online resources and official websites; training materials and educational courses; technical recommendations and standards; media materials and public communications; and informational and analytical online resources.
While this report focuses on Lviv, it is worth noting that the results would differ if another region of Ukraine had been examined. The city and region of Lviv have a specific status, as they are removed from the frontlines, and act as a hub for humanitarian, logistical and educational functions. Other areas of Ukraine, particularly those closer to the frontline, face different conditions, including greater levels of destruction, greater risks to the civilian population and alternative models of coordination between authorities, the military and civil society. The Lviv region therefore reflects a practice-oriented model of civil preparedness, while findings from other regions might highlight different aspects of emergency response and recovery.
Our research complements other reports, such as the Finnish report Lessons from Ukraine: Impact of the war in Ukraine on civil society and protection of the population during the war (133). This report offers a regional and practice-oriented perspective. For instance, it can also be worth noting that the above section “Challenges and areas for improvement in Ukraine and the Lviv region” was written from this practice-oriented regional perspective. As such, it integrates the experiences of local authorities, educational and healthcare institutions, civil society initiatives and international partners. It is based on a combination of qualitative analysis of expert interviews and content analysis of official documents and other sources. This approach allows for a balanced representation of the problems and opportunities of the Lviv region as a model for other territories seeking to enhance their resilience and civil preparedness under crisis conditions.