The latest initiative — a nationwide defensive training program called wGotowości (In Readiness) — has already attracted 18,000 sign-ups in just a fortnight, defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on Saturday, at its launch in Kraków, southern Poland.
The new pilot program is open to all Polish citizens and offers weekend trainings conducted by the military for civilians who will not become soldiers.
Over four weekends, civilians train in four areas: basic defense skills, survival, medical response, and “info-hygiene,” which focuses on resisting disinformation.
Attendance has been strong, with around 70 percent of those registered showing up, Kosiniak-Kamysz noted.
Women have made up a notable 45% of participants, a turnout the minister said was particularly encouraging.
Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at the launch of the In Readiness training program, Kraków , November 22, 2025.
wGotowości joins a growing array of national defense initiatives, including expanded multi-day training schemes for adult men, all designed to equip citizens with essential military and survival skills.
While the government stresses that this is not a return to compulsory conscription, it acknowledges that Russia’s actions — and Poland’s own history of Russian domination — have made civic readiness a strategic priority.
Poland, which shares a 530-kilometer (330-mile) border with Ukraine, has dramatically increased defense spending since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, now allocating a higher share of GDP to defense than any other NATO member.
The country has poured billions into modernising its forces, purchasing tanks, air defenses, and artillery at record pace.
Yet a key question lingers: Are Poles ready to fight if the threat becomes real?
A recent poll suggests that only over 10% of adults say they would volunteer for the army in the event of war, while a full one-third say they would flee.
(mo)
Source: PAP