Motion calls for 130,000 civilian reservists by 2030
A proposal asks Defence to help enable the growth of a civilian reserve for society, partly through public funds.
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The Lower House is considering a proposal to train 130,000 general civilian reservists in the Netherlands by 2030 at the latest. The ambition stems from an initiative for crisis resilience and is not yet established government policy or a budgetary decision.
The motion by MP Van Lanschot states that a resilient society cannot rely solely on professional emergency services and Defence. Under the proposal, residents with general or specialist skills could help their communities during the first 72 hours of a crisis, for example during a major outage, flood or other disruption.
The initiators refer to De BurgerReserve, a civil-society organisation that trains residents. The motion states that by the end of 2026, approximately 1,000 people will have learned general skills. According to the same text, the target of 130,000 participants by 2030 would be funded for approximately 85 per cent by companies and private funds, namely €100 million.
According to the proposal, the requested government contribution need not consist solely of a direct subsidy. The motion also asks Defence to consider contributions in kind, such as making training grounds and classrooms available and providing logistical support. The proposal thus seeks to combine public involvement with private financing.
The plan sits alongside existing measures to strengthen national crisis management. The government is working on a national crisis structure and better cooperation between central government and the safety regions. A civilian reserve could supplement that structure, but would not replace the statutory duties of the fire service, police, municipalities or medical emergency services.
The practical feasibility is a major open question. Recruiting, training and periodically exercising 130,000 people requires a permanent organisation, regional integration and clear agreements on responsibility. It must also be clear when civilian reservists would or would not be deployed and how they would be protected against risks during a crisis.
The motion says nothing about general conscription or compulsory deployment. Participation is voluntary under the model described. Whether the government adopts the proposed public support depends on further consideration in the Lower House and on the financial and legal details.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The ambition is set out in a motion, not in an adopted implementation law.
- The proposed civilian reservists would participate voluntarily.
- The motion calls for a combination of private financing and public support.
- Existing emergency services and safety regions retain their statutory duties.
Left
Arguments Crisis resilience must not depend on voluntary participation that is mainly available in affluent or well-organised neighbourhoods. The government must guarantee basic safety itself and make participation accessible.
Values Equal protection, public responsibility and social cohesion.
Consequences Public financing and local support may be necessary, but the project must not become a pretext for cuts to professional emergency services.
Centre
Arguments A voluntary civilian reserve can be a useful supplement if roles are clearly defined, the safety regions coordinate it and the government safeguards quality.
Values Practical feasibility, subsidiarity and trust in institutions.
Consequences Phased growth through pilots and evaluations limits risks and clarifies how much capacity is actually needed.
Right
Arguments Citizens, companies and civil-society organisations can take substantial responsibility themselves for the first hours of a crisis. The government should mainly provide space, infrastructure and clear rules.
Values Self-reliance, community spirit and an effective state.
Consequences A private contribution can limit public costs, but makes the project vulnerable if funding or participation falls short.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The scale of the ambition, the proposed financing and the current training figures are taken from the parliamentary motion. The text presents the civilian reserve as a proposal and does not suggest that a legal or financial decision has already been made.
- confirmed An MP has submitted a motion concerning 130,000 general civilian reservists in 2030. — Van Lanschot’s motion explicitly states this ambition. source
- confirmed The motion mentions approximately 1,000 trained residents by the end of 2026. — This is stated in the motion’s findings. source
- confirmed According to the motion, approximately 85 per cent of the intended costs would be funded by companies and private funds. — The motion gives an amount of approximately €100 million for this. source
- confirmed The motion also calls for public co-financing in kind. — The request mentions Defence’s grounds, classrooms and logistical support. source
Editor's note
It is certain that an MP has submitted a motion setting out the ambition of 130,000 civilian reservists by 2030. It is uncertain whether the Lower House and the cabinet will adopt the proposed public support; there is not yet a definitive implementation or financing decision.Sources
- Motie van het lid Van Lanschot — Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal
- Steeds meer gewone Nederlanders opgeleid tot BurgerReservist — Hart van Nederland
- Sneller meer personeel voor Defensie — Ministerie van Defensie
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „burgerreservisten crisisbeheersing”
- AD — „burgerreservisten crisisbeheersing”
- de Volkskrant — „burgerreservisten crisisbeheersing”