With increasing threats, the Dutch government is urging citizens to be prepared for a possible crises, from power outages and floods to hybrid attacks. But defending society isn’t just about national defense budgets or home emergency kits. It’s also about a resilient society where people trust each other, and how communities organize themselves.
The SCP (Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau), a Dutch government research institute, highlights the importance of resilient communities in times of crisis. “Research shows that communities where people trust each other and are willing to help one another cope better with unexpected events and tend to be more creative,” writes Karen van Oudenhoven, director of the SCP and professor of social resilience at the University of Amsterdam. “These individuals feel a sense of responsibility for their community and are quicker to take collective action.”
“True resilience is built locally,” Van Oudenhoven adds. “The government can’t deliver groceries to a neighbor during a lockdown, that’s up to us.”
Some Dutch municipalities are taking this lesson into practise. With no national blueprint, they have experimented with different approaches to connect residents, local organizations, businesses, and volunteers. On August 28, the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) issued a guideline for resilience and preparedness in local communities, giving municipalities examples and practical advice.
(I will add the interview with one of the municipalities here, and photos)
The guideline also draws lessons from Ukraine. The Russian attack has shown how critical local governance can be in a crisis. Ukrainian municipalities relied on residents, volunteers, businesses, and NGOs to maintain essential services under extreme pressure. According to the VNG, towns with strong local networks and collaboration between government and society proved far more resilient than those without.
According to the two organisations being prepared is more than emergency plans or infrastructure. It depends on trust, coordination, and active engagement across society. Building resilience means creating networks where everyone knows their role, neighbors support each other, and communities are ready to act collectively when disaster strikes.
