Stark socken (Strong village) in English

On Gotland we stand strong – together
Through increased household preparedness and local cooperation in every village, we are building resilience against crises and strengthening civil defense. Stark socken ( “Strong village”) is a concept that draws on Gotland’s strong sense of community and transforms it into concrete preparedness, where every resident plays an important role.

Everyone is needed for a safe Gotland

We are all part of Gotland’s preparedness and civil defense. This means that everyone has a responsibility to handle different kinds of crises, to help defend Sweden, and to contribute according to their ability. This ability begins with our own household preparedness.

The purpose of Stark socken is to develop Gotland’s civil defense and contribute to greater resilience by strengthening household preparedness and promoting local cooperation within each village. The residents’ individual ability to be prepared at home is an important part of Stark socken, as is the villages collective ability to prepare and support one another during societal disruptions or times of heightened readiness.

It starts at home – with personal preparedness

This means being ready to take care of ourselves for a period of time, for example in the event of a power outage or if the water supply stops working. The more people who are prepared, the stronger the entire community becomes, and Gotland turns into a more robust island capable of managing disruptions for a while.

Stark socken is an initiative aimed at making Gotland more resilient. By strengthening preparedness in every village, we can support each other if a crisis occurs. We also build community and security – things that make rural life more attractive and sustainable.

A strong tradition of helping one another

Gotland already has a proud tradition of united support. That is something we should be proud of and nurture. In the event of a serious incident, such as an attack or a major societal disruption, that sense of community becomes especially important.

Stark socken is run by Region Gotland and the County Administrative Board of Gotland.

The Stark socken initiative is carried out in four steps

• Registration of participation
• Method support to identify strengths and areas for improvement in the village’s preparedness
• Implementation of actions
• Reporting the work in order to receive the award

For each step there is supporting information, materials, and assistance available from the project’s partner organizations. Follow the steps below to become a Stark socken (“Strong village”).

The work is carried out together with the local village association, community center association, or another local organization that can take a coordinating role. Stark socken can also be conducted as a joint effort between several villages.

Stark socken (Strong village) - building resilience in every Home Strengthening local readiness

Stark socken develops civil defense and increases community resilience by promoting household preparedness and local cooperation — both in cities and in the countryside. The initiative supports rural development by strengthening each village’s identity and making Gotland’s countryside more attractive through safety, togetherness, and a shared sense of purpose.

A strong civil defense starts at home

A resilient civil defense begins in our homes — with personal preparedness and readiness. In local communities, people meet in community houses and similar venues to share experiences and build connections.
Through open conversations, we explore our strengths and how we can support one another. This practical approach raises awareness and strengthens our collective mindset for preparedness.
Everyday resources — a water well, a wood stove, or basic medical skills — can make a decisive difference when they are needed most.

Social transformation

• Strangers become neighbors.
• Communities become less anonymous.
• Loneliness decreases.
• People feel needed, proud, and valued.
• It contributes to crime prevention.

Why it works

• Built on fundamental human needs.
• Free of charge.
• Easy to implement.
• Effective everywhere — in cities as well as in the countryside.
• Above all, it creates meaning and a strong sense of belonging.