Research project Sweden is rapidly strengthening its preparedness for crises and war. But what happens if decisions are based mainly on urban conditions? Through international comparisons, citizen surveys and case studies, we examine how crisis preparedness works in rural and peripheral areas, and how access to public and commercial services, local resources and collaboration shape communities’ ability to cope with crises. Our aim is to contribute knowledge for preparedness that works across the whole country.
The project examines how place and access to resources shape local crisis preparedness. We focus in particular on the role of public and commercial services, and on how public authorities, businesses and civil society work together to strengthen community resilience. We aim to understand both the specific vulnerabilities and the resources found in rural and other peripheral areas, and how these can be harnessed in future crisis preparedness. The project is led by Umeå University and carried out in collaboration with researchers at Mid Sweden University and Halmstad University.
Sweden faces the urgent task of strengthening its preparedness for crises and war. Many decisions are being made and priorities set to build a more resilient society. But what happens if preparedness is designed mainly around the conditions found in cities? The project examines what crisis preparedness might look like if it takes account of the varied conditions across the whole country. The research is led by Umeå University and carried out in collaboration with researchers from Mid Sweden University and Halmstad University.
We study how access to essential public and commercial services affects local communities’ ability to cope with crises. This may include grocery stores, healthcare, public transport and other forms of local service provision. Through international comparisons, participation in the national SOM Survey, where we examine citizens’ experiences of crisis preparedness and security, and case studies of areas such as Gotland, Sjuhärad and Västernorrland, we investigate rural and other peripheral areas and also compare these with initiatives in one of Sweden’s largest cities.
We follow local initiatives across Sweden in which community associations, grocery stores, village groups, voluntary organisations and public actors work together to strengthen preparedness. We examine which resources are available locally, how collaboration works, and what kinds of experience and knowledge can be drawn on.
The project contributes knowledge to a field in which rural perspectives have so far received limited attention. The results will provide a stronger basis for decisions that take geographical differences and varying access to resources into account. We will also develop practical material that local actors can use to strengthen their own crisis preparedness.
