The Ready for Anything campaign kicked off with a symbolic blackout at Žalgiris Arena. On May 10, during the basketball game between Kaunas Žalgiris and Panevėžys Lietkabelis, the entire arena was plunged into darkness for 72 seconds. This unexpected activation marked the beginning of the campaign and served as a call for the public to strengthen their preparedness for emergencies and build greater energy resilience.
The initiative was launched by BC Žalgiris, the national emergency preparedness platform LT72, and Baltijos Lizdas, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to strengthening local communities.
According to the organisers, the blackout served as a reminder that unexpected crises can happen at any time. Being prepared and taking responsibility for the safety and well-being of ourselves and our loved ones during emergencies is therefore a shared responsibility.
The campaign was inspired by the growing number of crises affecting Lithuania. In recent months alone, storms have left tens of thousands of households without electricity. Extreme events pose risks to people’s lives, health, and property. Yet a national survey conducted last year found that as many as 70% of Lithuanians do not feel prepared to respond to such emergencies.
In the event of a national emergency, residents are expected to be able to cope independently for at least 72 hours without government assistance. This means having sufficient food, water, clothing, and other essential supplies, as well as ensuring that households can continue to function during disruptions to electricity, water, or other critical services. However, while more than 70% of respondents said they would know how to respond to a fire or severe storm, only around half reported having enough emergency supplies to sustain themselves for 72 hours.
“As the number of crises and unexpected disruptions continues to grow, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: personal preparedness and the ability to ensure your own energy resilience are essential. In Lithuania, basketball has long been more than just a sport—it is a powerful community that brings people together and inspires collective action. Just as success on the court depends on preparation, we must also be ready for the unexpected in everyday life,” said Ignas Vyšniauskas, Marketing Director of BC Žalgiris.
The Ready for Anything campaign, a continuation of the Green Tribune initiative, is designed to encourage people across Lithuania to become better prepared for unexpected situations. From May 10 to June 20, residents were invited to take part in practical training sessions led by civil protection experts. Held in ten communities across the country, the workshops covered a range of topics, including crisis preparedness, the importance of energy independence, how to assemble a 72-hour emergency kit, and how to prepare for prolonged power outages and other emergencies.
One randomly selected participant received a special prize: a VIP experience at Žalgiris Arena together with a home battery generator powered by green energy, capable of supplying electricity during power outages.
“When we first launched this initiative together with BC Žalgiris, we wanted to find out whether sport could help us engage communities in conversations about issues that matter. Over the years, however, the initiative has evolved into a platform that strengthens civil preparedness, highlights the importance of energy independence, and encourages people to become more resilient to crises. Through this campaign, we want to show that preparedness begins with simple but important decisions we make every day,” said Teresė Škutaitė, Director of Baltijos Lizdas.
Participants also had the opportunity to assess their own level of preparedness by completing a dedicated online readiness test on the Green Tribune website. The test helped identify existing knowledge and skills, while highlighting areas where participants could further improve their preparedness.
