With the war now in its fourth year, Ukraine has developed a robust civil preparedness strategy, combining clear communication, accessible information and support for citizens’ physical, psychological and informational safety. Key measures include multi-channel alerts such as sirens, official web portals, secure apps and older technologies like radio. Accessibility for people with disabilities, psychological support, cybersecurity, countering disinformation and using inspirational community figures to convey critical information also feature prominently. Local authorities work closely with the UNHCR and international partners to assist internally displaced persons through the provision of housing, social services and integration programmes.
Lviv occupies a strategic location on Ukraine’s western border with the EU. As such, it has played a vital role during the war, acting as a humanitarian and logistical hub for international aid, a key centre for internally displaced persons and a transit point for those seeking refuge abroad. Regional and local authorities mapped shelters and integrated this information into the Diia digital platform, ensuring that residents and displaced persons could quickly access safe locations. Backup systems were put in place for water, energy and heat supply, while humanitarian warehouses, mobile social services and volunteer initiatives ensured continuous support. Hospitals adopted telemedicine and digital patient registries to maintain healthcare continuity, and schools provided inclusive education and shelters.
The Lviv region’s experience highlights the importance of combining digital solutions, physical infrastructure, partnerships with volunteers, NGOs and international organisations. This multi-layered approach demonstrates how communities can maintain critical services and resilience during wartime, and may be instructive for other regions seeking to strengthen preparedness and civil resilience.
The insights in this report provide a regional and practice-oriented perspective. The report emphasises social cohesion, trust and grassroots co-operation, and shows how resilience is built through partnerships between municipalities, civil society and international organisations. These examples offer useful insights for Nordic countries on strengthening local resilience and community-driven responses, which are key elements of the Nordic model of shared responsibility.