It has been noted how the Ukrainian civil society plays an important role in the full-scale war that is currently raging in the country. Can Swedish actors learn anything from the experiences in Ukraine? Can Swedish civil preparedness be strengthened through more conscious use of civil society as a resource?In this report, the Ukrainian civil society and the efforts currently being made there are discussed, and contrasted with the Swedish ones. A picture emerges of two very different civil societies that differ not least in terms of their histories. It is shown how the Swedish civil society in many respects has better conditions than the Ukrainian when it comes to the possibilities of being a resource in a crisis and ultimately in a war, but also how the Ukrainian civil society quickly changes and adapts to the prevailing situation.