Network to Innovate: Rural Readiness – How Communities can be Prepared and Resilient
The online workshop, "Rural Readiness – How Communities can be Prepared and Resilient” will take place on October 28, 2025. It is organized by the Rural Networks of Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Poland. This workshop is a great opportunity to connect with others in the field, share knowledge, and potentially create new partnerships.
Inhabitants of rural areas need to be more self-reliant than their fellow citizens. Many of the services that urban counterparts take for granted are available only at greater distance and greater delay. This means that a prolonged power outage, disruption to the water supply or a catastrophic situation are much more likely to require self-help and community support, rather than relying on public institutions and services.
Various governmental and non-governmental, national and local organisations in the Nordic-Baltic area have carried out initiatives to help rural communities be ready for the unexpected. Four such cases will be presented during this webinar.
The 1st part of the event will feature inspiring presentations on Rural Readiness.
Following the presentations, we'll dive into a discussion round where participants can leave their questions to the speakers.
To facilitate communication, we are using the Padlet dashboard, allowing you to share inspiring solutions, express interest in cooperation, or raise questions related to the workshop's theme:
- simply provide the name of your idea or area of expertise
- offer a brief description
- include your contact details
The registration for the event is now open — join us to learn more about Rural Readiness and how communities can become better prepared and more resilient.
More information about the event:
Paweł Krzeczunowicz
- Air and ground support for authorities - Comprehensive security - Oliver Lohman from Saimaan Drone Oy will present two projects focused on using drones to support public authorities and improve rural safety in the South Savo region. The KX and KX2 projects develop drone-based air rescue and protection operations, helping authorities with capabilities they may not have and supporting electricity companies during major disruptions. The projects also promote the use of new technologies in agriculture and forestry.
- Preparedness and resilience in Peri village: finding solutions instead of problems - Karl Tammiste, Peri village. Story of experience how a village community from South-Eastern Estonia has taken the lead and contributed to the resilience and preparedness of the local municipal government and the surrounding communities.
- Local communities as first responders in crisis situations - Inese Vaivare from the Latvian platform for development cooperation (LAPAS) will give an overview of the new national guidelines in Latvia on how local governments can engage citizens in emergency situations.
- The Redo Project – Strengthening Local Preparedness - Linda Arontzon, Leader Sjuhärad. The Redo project focuses on increasing community preparedness in the Sjuhärad region. In cooperation with municipalities, civil society and emergency preparedness experts, the project has carried out local information tours and events to raise awareness about crisis readiness and self-sufficiency. In 2024, a small preparedness fair brought together local stakeholders, and in 2025 a larger fair “Pepp & Prepp” gathered over 60 exhibitors and 2,000 participants. The project also supports practical preparedness measures, such as training local drivers in CPR and First Aid, and equipping them with defibrillators to strengthen emergency response capacity in rural areas.
Inhabitants of rural areas need to be more self-reliant than their fellow citizens. Many of the services that urban counterparts take for granted are available only at greater distance and greater delay. This means that a prolonged power outage, disruption to the water supply or a catastrophic situation are much more likely to require self-help and community support, rather than relying on public institutions and services.
Various governmental and non-governmental, national and local organisations in the Nordic-Baltic area have carried out initiatives to help rural communities be ready for the unexpected. Four such cases will be presented during this webinar.
The 1st part of the event will feature inspiring presentations on Rural Readiness.
Following the presentations, we'll dive into a discussion round where participants can leave their questions to the speakers.
To facilitate communication, we are using the Padlet dashboard, allowing you to share inspiring solutions, express interest in cooperation, or raise questions related to the workshop's theme:
- simply provide the name of your idea or area of expertise
- offer a brief description
- include your contact details
The registration for the event is now open — join us to learn more about Rural Readiness and how communities can become better prepared and more resilient.
More information about the event:
Paweł Krzeczunowicz
- Air and ground support for authorities - Comprehensive security - Oliver Lohman from Saimaan Drone Oy will present two projects focused on using drones to support public authorities and improve rural safety in the South Savo region. The KX and KX2 projects develop drone-based air rescue and protection operations, helping authorities with capabilities they may not have and supporting electricity companies during major disruptions. The projects also promote the use of new technologies in agriculture and forestry.
- Preparedness and resilience in Peri village: finding solutions instead of problems - Karl Tammiste, Peri village. Story of experience how a village community from South-Eastern Estonia has taken the lead and contributed to the resilience and preparedness of the local municipal government and the surrounding communities.
- Local communities as first responders in crisis situations - Inese Vaivare from the Latvian platform for development cooperation (LAPAS) will give an overview of the new national guidelines in Latvia on how local governments can engage citizens in emergency situations.
- The Redo Project – Strengthening Local Preparedness - Linda Arontzon, Leader Sjuhärad. The Redo project focuses on increasing community preparedness in the Sjuhärad region. In cooperation with municipalities, civil society and emergency preparedness experts, the project has carried out local information tours and events to raise awareness about crisis readiness and self-sufficiency. In 2024, a small preparedness fair brought together local stakeholders, and in 2025 a larger fair “Pepp & Prepp” gathered over 60 exhibitors and 2,000 participants. The project also supports practical preparedness measures, such as training local drivers in CPR and First Aid, and equipping them with defibrillators to strengthen emergency response capacity in rural areas.
