Sveriges Civilförsvarsförbund

What Sveriges Civilförsvarsförbund does

Sveriges Civilförsvarsförbund is a Swedish voluntary civil defense non-profit organization founded in 1937, headquartered in Karlstad, with local associations spanning approximately 200 municipalities. Its core function is public education in emergency preparedness and crisis management, encompassing programs such as Hemberedskap (home preparedness for surviving without public services for one week), Hjärt-lungräddning (CPR), first aid training, and the Gottfrid child safety methodology. The organization also holds a delegated government mandate from MSB (Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap) to coordinate and train the Frivilliga Resursgruppen (FRG), a volunteer emergency response network present in approximately 165 municipalities that supports municipalities during major societal disruptions.

The business model combines multiple revenue streams: annual membership fees (approximately 200 SEK for individuals and families), MSB government grants underwriting free public training courses, fee-based corporate training delivered through a network of approximately 225 instructors, retail sales of emergency preparedness products (AEDs, radios, first aid supplies) through its wholly-owned subsidiary Civil AB, donations supporting a scholarship fund (Stipendiefond), and corporate training fees. The organization operates with a lean central staff of 3 national employees (as of February 2025) and relies on a community-led go-to-market motion through local associations, supplemented by digital channels including a self-service member portal (civil.arcmember.net) and online training courses. International engagement has included the 2009-2012 UAE Takatof training program, 2004-2017 Ukraine projects, and a March 2014 Nordic cooperation agreement with emergency counterparts SPEK (Finland), FORF (Norway), and Beredskabsforbundet (Denmark).

Key technical platforms include the digital Risk och sårbarhetsanalys (RSA) self-assessment tool launched in 2024, the Sveriges hjärtstartarregister (national AED registry launched in 2009 and integrated with SOS Alarm), and the mobile 'Rädd eller beredd' exhibition traveling to upper secondary schools from autumn 2022 to January 2025. The Hjärtstartare campaign has placed over 2,000 AEDs across Sweden. Leadership includes Chairman Anna-Maria Axelsson and Secretary General Tomas Warberg, who also serves as CEO of subsidiary Civil AB.

Name

Sveriges Civilförsvarsförbund

Legal name

Sveriges Civilförsvarsförbund

Website

https://civil.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sveriges Civilförsvarsförbund is a Swedish voluntary civil defense non-profit founded in 1937, delivering emergency preparedness education, CPR and first aid training, and coordinating volunteer resource groups across approximately 200 municipalities under MSB government mandate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civil Defense and Emergency Preparedness Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Resilience, Preparedness Training & Exercises (HLAJAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Response & Search-and-Rescue (SAR) (BPAGAAAA), Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Education (CPR/First Aid/Disaster Readiness) (EDAAAFAJ)

Keywords

• Civil defense volunteers
• Emergency preparedness training
• Search and rescue dogs
• Volunteer rescue services
• First aid education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bromma, Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees collected from individual and family members. Fees vary by local association. Family membership covers all household members at same address.
2. Government Funding (MSB): Primary government funding from MSB (Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap) for training activities, FRG coordination, and public education programs. The 2024 press release indicates this funding is insufficient to meet demand.
3. Corporate/Organization Training: Fee-based training services for businesses, authorities, and organizations in first aid, CPR, and emergency preparedness. Revenue generated supports the organization's activities. Sales conducted through trained instructors.
4. Product Sales (Civil AB): Sales of emergency preparedness products including emergency radios, first aid supplies, and AED (defibrillators) through the wholly-owned subsidiary Civil AB.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Donations through bankgiro (378-4477), memorial gifts, testamentary bequests, and stock dividend contributions. Funds designated for scholarship fund (stipendiefond).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sveriges Civilförsvarsförbund is a voluntary civil defense federation that organizes and trains civilian volunteers to support Swedish emergency preparedness and rescue services. Its core services include first aid and CPR training, search and rescue dog (SAR dog) handler operations, auxiliary volunteer rescue groups (FRG) that can be activated by municipalities and public authorities, youth civil defense programs, and public education on crisis preparedness.

Product overview

Sveriges Civilförsvarsförbund operates as a voluntary civil defense organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and services focused on emergency preparedness and civilian safety. The core offerings center on Hemberedskap (home preparedness) training covering crisis survival skills for water, food, heat, information, and sleep needs, combined with practical certifications in Hjärt-lungräddning (CPR), Första hjälpen (first aid), and specialized Gottfrid child safety education. The organization manages the Frivilliga Resursgruppen (FRG) system - volunteer emergency response teams deployed to support municipalities during crises - alongside Akutgrupper for event medical standby. Digital offerings include the online Risk och sårbarhetsanalys (RSA) self-assessment tool and web-based training courses. Supplementary programs encompass the Beredskapsveckan annual awareness campaign, the 'Rädd eller beredd' mobile exhibition for schools, heart starter (AED) sales through the Hjärta att hjälpa campaign, and the Sveriges hjärtstartarregister national defibrillator database. The organization also conducts international training missions and operates the Din trygghet educational framework integrating multiple course areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Volunteer rescue groups (Frivilliga resursgrupper, FRG) Locally organized teams of trained civilian volunteers that can be called upon by Swedish municipalities and public agencies to assist in emergency response, evacuation support, reception centers, and crisis logistics.
• Search and rescue dog (SAR dog) services Certified volunteer dog-handler teams that conduct search and rescue operations for missing persons in cooperation with Swedish police, rescue services, and municipalities.
• First aid and CPR training Instructional courses in first aid, CPR, and basic emergency response for members, the general public, and partner organizations.
• Youth civil defense programs (Civilskyddsungdom) Educational and activities-based programs for children and young people aimed at building awareness of civil defense, first aid, and community preparedness.
• Crisis preparedness education for the public Public-facing information, courses, and outreach that help Swedish households prepare for emergencies such as power outages, severe weather, and other crises.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hjärta att hjälpa campaign has placed over 2,000 AEDs across Sweden, contributing to saving lives from cardiac arrest.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• MSB (Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004MSB is the government agency that provides economic support for FRG training and coordinates national civil defense efforts. Civilförsvarsförbundet has the delegated responsibility from MSB to train FRG resources and manage the coordination and development function of FRG nationwide.
• MCF (Myndigheten för civilt försvar)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCF is the supervisory authority for civil defense matters. The organization's commissioner is MCF. MCF also coordinates Beredskapsveckan (Readiness Week) national campaign.
• FRG (Frivilliga Resursgruppen) Partner OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner18 voluntary defense organizations collaborate through FRG at the municipal level, including Swedish Red Cross, Swedish Sea Rescue Society, and others. These organizations contribute trained volunteers and specialized expertise to FRG teams.
• Svenska HLR-rådet (Swedish CPR Council)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Swedish CPR Council for CPR training programs. Civilförsvarsförbundet provides free HLR education to the public on commission from MSB. Joint management of Sweden's AED registry (Hjärtstartarregistret).
• Hjärt-Lungfonden (Heart-Lung Foundation)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration partner in the Hjärta att hjälpa campaign to place AEDs across Sweden.
• VinnovamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in Vinnova-funded innovation platform 'Mat till alla - nära och tillsammans' (Food for all - close and together) as one of eight innovation platforms. Also involved in project 'Modern krismat' (Modern crisis food) for developing innovative study circles.
• CoompanionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Coompanion and Mikrofonden to explore ways to raise Sweden's food preparedness through local food production and consumption.
• Takatof (UAE National Emergency Response Volunteer Programme)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining program exported to UAE in 2009-2012. Civilförsvarsförbundet's FRG concept was adapted for the Emirati context under the SANID program.
• Nordic Partners (SPEK, FORF, Beredskabsforbundet)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement signed in March 2014 with emergency organizations SPEK (Finland), FORF (Norway), and Beredskabsforbundet (Denmark) for mutual learning, cross-border voluntary emergency response, and shared training exercises.
• SPEK (Finland)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish Rescue Services' Central Organization. Part of Nordic cooperation agreement for emergency response and training.
• FORF (Norway)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoluntary Organizations' Rescue Professional Forum in Norway. Part of Nordic cooperation for voluntary rescue services.
• Beredskabsforbundet (Denmark)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish emergency organization covering voluntary rescue personnel, personal members, and affiliated organizations.
• Folk och Försvar (Central Association for People and Defense)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivilförsvarsförbundet is a member of Folk och Försvar and participates in the annual national conference Rikskonferensen.
• ABF (Arbetarnas Bildningsförbund)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational association partnership for study circles and adult education programs.
• MSB, Statens Försvarshistoriska Museer, RiksantikvarieämbetetmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 'Rädd eller beredd' (Saved or Prepared) interactive exhibition for upper secondary students. MSB-funded traveling exhibition in container format visiting schools from autumn 2022 to January 2025.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Svenska Röda Korset (Swedish Red Cross): Sweden's largest humanitarian organisation, delivering first aid and CPR training, emergency response, and community preparedness programs funded by government and donations. Directly comparable as a nonprofit delivering overlapping emergency preparedness education and volunteer-led community resilience services.
• Svenska Sjöräddningssällskapet (Swedish Sea Rescue Society, SSRS): A volunteer-based maritime search-and-rescue nonprofit that is one of the 18 FRG partner organisations collaborating with Civilförsvarsförbundet at the municipal level. Comparable as a volunteer-driven emergency response organisation that complements Civilförsvarsförbundet's broader civil defense mandate.
• FORF (Frivillige Organisasjoners Redningsfaglige Forum, Norway): Norwegian forum for voluntary organisations' professional rescue operations. Direct Nordic peer covering voluntary emergency preparedness and rescue coordination, part of the 2014 Nordic cooperation agreement with Civilförsvarsförbundet.
• Svenska HLR-rådet (Swedish CPR Council): National authority setting CPR education standards and jointly managing the Hjärtstartarregistret with Civilförsvarsförbundet. Direct peer in the HLR/first-aid training ecosystem with shared registry and standards-setting responsibilities.
• Beredskabsforbundet (Denmark): Danish counterpart organisation for voluntary emergency preparedness, personal membership, and affiliated rescue organisations. Direct Nordic peer operating under a similar civil defense model, covered by the 2014 Nordic cooperation agreement.
• SPEK (Suomen Pelastusalan Keskusjärjestö, Finland): Finnish Rescue Services' Central Organization, coordinating voluntary rescue and civil preparedness organisations. A direct Nordic peer with overlapping voluntary emergency response and training mandate, party to the 2014 Nordic cooperation agreement.

Broad incumbents

• Rädda Barnen (Save the Children Sweden): Large Swedish nonprofit with a child-safety and crisis-response mandate, partially overlapping with Civilförsvarsförbundet's Gottfrid child-safety education programme. Comparable as a mission-driven nonprofit delivering child-focused crisis preparedness content in Sweden.
• Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap (MSB): Swedish government agency responsible for civil protection, emergency management, and FRG funding/coordination. Functions as a partner/funder rather than competitor, but its policy direction and budget directly shape Civilförsvarsförbundet's operating envelope.
• Folk och Försvar: Central Swedish association convening civil society, government, and defense stakeholders around total defense, of which Civilförsvarsförbundet is a member. Comparable as a convening/membership body in the broader Swedish civil defense ecosystem.

Others

• SOS Alarm: National Swedish emergency response centre operator that integrates with the Hjärtstartarregistret to direct bystanders to nearby AEDs during suspected cardiac arrests. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, but a critical operational partner for Civilförsvarsförbundet's AED programme.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Civilforsvarsforbundet
• Instagraminstagram.com/civilpunktse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sveriges-civilf%C3%B6rsvarsf%C3%B6rbund

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sveriges Civilförsvarsförbund