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On May 20, Tallinn Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski, Vilnius Deputy Mayor Andrius Grigonis, and Riga Deputy Mayor Linda Ozola signed a memorandum of understanding, establishing a framework for enhanced cooperation among the three Baltic capitals in civil defense and crisis preparedness.
"The war in Ukraine has clearly demonstrated that during crises, the role of local governments, especially in larger cities, is as crucial as that of central authorities, because most essential services are provided at the local level. The resilience of the entire society during crises depends upon the continuity of these local services," explained Tallinn Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski.
"Since the security environment of the Baltic capitals is similar, it is logical to cooperate and learn from each other when planning security measures at the local level," he emphasized.
Tallinn is preparing to soon publish an action plan for the coming years aimed at creating shelters, centered around a crisis preparedness support measure intended for apartment associations. "Tallinn has already established evacuation sites and resilience centers. Our next step is to develop shelter capabilities in the city’s educational institutions and support apartment associations in setting up shelters," Ossinovski confirmed.
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He noted that Tallinn has also learned from Ukraine’s experiences. "Our public expects deep bomb shelters capable of protecting people from ballistic missiles. However, Ukraine’s experience underscores the importance of speed and the rational use of resources. First, we must act quickly, and second, in civil defense, resources must also be allocated to other necessary measures beyond just shelters. Flexibility is crucial. Buildings differ, basements differ, associations differ, and members have varying opinions, so our approach in supporting residents must also be flexible," Ossinovski explained.
The shelter at Vindi 9 in Tallinn, where the leaders of the three Baltic capitals signed their cooperation memorandum, was funded by European Union funds received through the Rescue Board and cost €63,000. "This basement was initially in very poor condition. Ideally, it should accommodate all the residents, although it's unlikely everyone would simultaneously need shelter at home," said Brett Lemsalu, the representative of the apartment association.
Lemsalu mentioned that no resident lost their storage space due to the shelter's construction. "On the contrary, some residents who previously had no storage spaces received them during this project," Lemsalu noted. The rooms now designated as shelters previously stored miscellaneous items and are currently used by residents, including for association meetings.
At a roundtable, Vilnius Deputy Mayor Andrius Grigonis outlined the city's shelter and evacuation systems. "Vilnius has a city defense plan with two main goals: supporting national defense and strengthening civil defense. Key projects include increasing the city's defensive capabilities, establishing drone training areas, and developing a universal evacuation plan adaptable to various scenarios and levels—from individual buildings and neighborhoods to entire city districts. We have also mapped thousands of underground spaces in Vilnius, assessed their conditions, and plan to invest over two million euros this year to improve them. Enhancing Vilnius’s defensive capabilities is a priority for our city government," said Grigonis.
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Riga Deputy Mayor Linda Ozola emphasized raising public awareness alongside creating shelters. "People want to see that not only the state but also cities take preparedness seriously. Close Baltic cooperation and effective investments in civil defense send a strong signal to our adversaries that we are not easy targets. A vital part of this is confidence and overall security, beginning with the knowledge that your community, city, and country are prepared—and that you, as an individual, have the knowledge and means to remain strong during difficult times. We must invest not only in infrastructure but also in educating our citizens," Ozola stated.