Europe is preparing: when governments call on their citizens for autonomy

An unprecedented movement is currently sweeping across Europe. From Stockholm to Paris, via Helsinki and Warsaw, European governments are launching numerous national campaigns urging their citizens to prepare for emergencies. "Tous responsable" (Everyone is responsible) in France, "Denk vooruit" ( Think ahead ) in the Netherlands, and Scandinavian survival manuals: individual self-reliance is becoming a matter of collective security.

For bushcraft and preparedness experts like us at WildTactic, this development marks a historic turning point. What we have long advocated—the importance of being prepared, mastering the basics of survival, and possessing reliable equipment—is now becoming an official recommendation on a continental scale.

A wave of preparation sweeping across Europe

On November 20, 2024, France joined this movement with the publication of the guide "Tous Responsables" (All Responsible) , a practical manual designed to prepare the French for major crises. This document ( which we have analyzed for you ) details essential actions and recommends assembling an emergency kit allowing for at least 72 hours of self-sufficiency. The goal? To cope with natural disasters, prolonged power outages, cyberattacks, and even conflict situations.

But France is not alone. Also in November 2024, Sweden distributed an updated version of its "Om krisen eller kriget kommer" (" If Crisis or War Comes" ) handbook to its 5 million households. This booklet, which has existed since the Cold War, has been significantly expanded. Finland, now a NATO member, has published a comprehensive online guide to prepare its citizens "for incidents and crises."

Norway followed suit with its own civil preparedness recommendations. Belgium 's government also issued recommendations through its National Crisis Centre, while Poland announced in March 2025 the upcoming distribution of a 20-page survival manual to all its citizens. Even Germany is actively encouraging the creation of emergency reserves and has begun an inventory of its civil protection infrastructure, including bunkers.

The European impetus: 72 hours of autonomy

In March 2025, the European Union took a further step by publishing its "Preparedness Union Strategy." This strategy officially recommends that every citizen of the 27 member states obtain a survival kit providing 72 hours of self-sufficiency. This critical period corresponds to the time needed for emergency services, potentially overwhelmed during a major crisis, to reach every household.

Preparedness has finally become a deliberate public policy, a form of collective resilience based on individual responsibility. The identified threats are numerous and very real: increasingly frequent climate disasters, technological risks, heightened geopolitical tensions, and cyber threats to critical infrastructure.

What do these official survival kits contain?

Recommendations are remarkably consistent across countries. A typical emergency kit includes:

• For hydration and food: six liters of drinking water per person, food that does not require cooking (canned goods, energy bars, long-life foods), a portable stove and fuel.
• For lighting and communication: a flashlight, candles, matches or lighters, a battery-powered and/or hand-cranked radio to receive official information, an external battery for electronic devices.
• For health: a complete first aid kit, usual and emergency medications, basic hygiene products, masks.
• For self-sufficiency: cash (banking systems may be out of service), copies of identity documents, warm and spare clothing, survival blankets.
• For keeping busy: books, games, things to maintain morale during a period of forced isolation.

The WildTactic philosophy: to be prepared is to be free

At WildTactic, this institutional recognition of the importance of preparation reinforces our approach. Since our inception, we have supported outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, campers, and all those seeking to develop their self-reliance in nature. Our philosophy has always been clear: mastering the fundamentals of survival means gaining freedom and confidence.

Our survival kits weren't born from government recommendations; they anticipated them. Designed with enthusiasts and tested in real-world conditions, they incorporate field experience and rigorous preparation. Whether you're heading out on an expedition or simply want to secure your home, our equipment meets the most demanding standards.

A good survival kit isn't something you can just throw together. It needs to be compact yet comprehensive, robust yet portable, simple yet effective . That's exactly what we offer: solutions designed to last, to work when you need them, without unnecessary extras but without compromising on the essentials.

Beyond the kit: developing a preparedness mindset

Having an emergency kit is an essential first step, but true resilience goes beyond equipment. It's about knowledge, skills, and mindset . Knowing how to light a fire without a lighter, purify water, navigate without a GPS, administer first aid, and manage stress in critical situations: that's what makes the difference.

The bushcraft we champion at WildTactic is more than just a leisure activity: it's a school of self-reliance. Every trip into the woods, every night spent camping, every skill mastered strengthens your ability to cope with the unexpected. Current government campaigns remind us of a simple truth: in an uncertain world, those who know how to make do with little are the best equipped .

A European paradigm shift

What is happening in Europe right now goes far beyond the simple question of material preparedness. It represents a profound shift in how states approach civil security. For decades, the dominant model relied on the rapid intervention of emergency services. Today, faced with more diffuse and widespread threats, the paradigm is evolving: every citizen is becoming an active participant in their own security and collective resilience .

This evolution fully aligns with the culture of preparedness that drives the bushcraft and survival community. It legitimizes an approach long perceived as marginal and recognizes that personal self-reliance is not a form of individualism, but rather an act of civic responsibility.

Time for thoughtful preparation

However, be careful not to succumb to anxiety or catastrophism. Preparing does not mean living in fear, but rather regaining serenity through control . European governments all emphasize this point: these measures aim to strengthen confidence, not fuel panic.

At WildTactic, we share this pragmatic approach. A good survival kit should not clutter a cupboard waiting for the apocalypse: it should be part of an active lifestyle, where you take care of your equipment, maintain your skills, and stay connected to what is essential.

Because being ready means starting to master the challenge ahead, and it means helping yourself, your family, and others. A responsibility that each and every one of us can bear.