Poland Launches Nationwide Civil Defense Training Program “wGotowości” to Train 400,000 Citizens For War

The Polish Ministry of National Defense has announced the launch of a new national initiative, “wGotowości” (In Readiness) — a pilot voluntary defense training program designed to strengthen the country’s civil resilience and preparedness against emerging security challenges. The pilot phase will begin on November 22, 2025, lasting five weeks and involving an estimated 100,000 participants across all age groups. The program is part of a broader plan to train nearly 400,000 Polish citizens over the next year.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who officially unveiled the program, described “wGotowości” as a cornerstone of Poland’s long-term national security strategy. The goal, he said, is not merely to expand military capacity but to ensure that every Polish citizen — from children to senior citizens — possesses the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to respond effectively during emergencies, crises, or national threats.

Building a Culture of Readiness

The new program reflects Poland’s evolving approach to national defense, emphasizing societal resilience as a vital component of deterrence. “Poland’s security depends not only on a strong army and strong alliances,” Kosiniak-Kamysz explained, “but also on our own strength — the strength of our society. Knowledge, awareness, and the ability to act during emergencies are crucial. These are not necessarily military actions, but they are fundamental to national defense.”

The “wGotowości” initiative will integrate all existing defense-related education efforts under one framework, combining military awareness with civil protection and crisis management training. The Ministry of National Defense has prepared a modular training structure that includes:

• Basic defense awareness and civil protection

• First aid and medical response

• Stress management and psychological resilience

• Survival and crisis adaptation

• Cybersecurity and counter-disinformation training

Training will take place in cooperation with 132 organizational units, primarily under the Territorial Defense Forces (TDF), with support from the Operational Command of the Armed Forces.

A Program for Every Citizen

One of the most distinctive features of “wGotowości” is its inclusivity. The program is open to all Polish citizens, regardless of age or occupation. Modules have been specifically adapted for school students, university youth, employees, private companies, and senior citizens, ensuring that each demographic can receive training relevant to their environment.

For children and students, lessons will focus on identifying warning signals, safe behavior during emergencies, and cooperation with rescue services. Adults will participate in more advanced sessions such as first aid, communication under crisis, and cybersecurity awareness. The elderly will receive training tailored to physical limitations, emphasizing safe evacuation, self-protection, and assisting local communities.

National Coordination and Future Scale-Up

According to Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk, the Polish government has spent the past six months preparing for the rollout of this nationwide effort. This included instructor training, the development of training materials, and legislative adjustments needed to expand voluntary civil defense education.

Tomczyk revealed that during November and December 2025, roughly 20,000 citizens will undergo individual training, while the total number of participants in all forms of training will exceed 100,000. The ministry’s long-term goal is to scale up participation dramatically by 2026, reaching 400,000 trained citizens through combined programs such as “Education with the Army” (Edukacja z Wojskiem), reservist refresher courses, and voluntary service modules.

He added that participants will be able to choose specific courses based on personal interest — from basic preparedness and first aid to survival skills and cyber defense awareness.

Strengthening Civil Defense in a Changing Security Environment

The launch of “wGotowości” comes amid heightened concerns over regional security in Eastern Europe. Following the war in Ukraine and growing hybrid threats across NATO’s eastern flank, Poland has been investing heavily in both its armed forces and civil defense capacity. The government has already implemented measures to modernize its military, expand the Territorial Defense Forces, and improve public awareness of emergency procedures.

Experts note that Poland’s strategy mirrors that of countries such as Finland, Sweden, and Estonia, which maintain strong total defense models combining military readiness with civilian preparedness. By introducing large-scale voluntary defense training, Poland aims to create a national culture of readiness, ensuring that the population can assist in emergencies ranging from cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns to natural disasters or armed conflict.

Empowering Society Through Knowledge

Specialists from the Polish Ministry of Defense who designed the course material emphasize that “wGotowości” is as much about confidence and knowledge as it is about tactical skill. The lessons are expected to include hands-on activities, simulations, and scenario-based exercises focused on problem-solving under pressure.

Kosiniak-Kamysz underlined that the program “strengthens social awareness, unity, and preparedness — elements that are essential in defending a modern democratic state.”

A Step Toward National Resilience

The “wGotowości” pilot represents the beginning of what officials describe as a long-term national project to build resilience across all layers of Polish society. Once the pilot phase concludes, the Ministry of Defense will assess feedback and performance before implementing the program on a national scale in 2026.

In the coming year, nearly half a million citizens could undergo some form of defense training under the program — a clear signal that Poland is investing not only in weapons and technology, but in people.

By empowering ordinary citizens with practical knowledge, “wGotowości” aims to make readiness a shared responsibility — ensuring that every Pole, regardless of age or background, can contribute to the nation’s safety and stability in an uncertain world.