Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has witnessed an unprecedented surge in informal civic activism. According to a study conducted by the USAID's Enhance Non-Governmental Actors and Grassroots Engagement (USAID/ENGAGE), featured in ISAR Ednannia’s Analytical Library, many Ukrainians were actively engaged in various civic initiatives, often outside the framework of formal organizations.
This phenomenon encompasses various activities: from supporting the military and war-affected individuals to providing humanitarian aid and defending human rights.
The study revealed interesting trends in the interaction between informal groups and public authorities. On one hand, these groups often take on roles that local governments are unable to fulfill. On the other hand, they act as watchdogs, monitoring government actions and exposing corruption.
Despite the strong enthusiasm observed at the onset of the full-scale invasion, a certain ‘leveling off’ of activism is now apparent. While support for the military remains high, overall levels of volunteering have slightly declined.
Interestingly, although the USAID/ENGAGE Program has concluded its operations in Ukraine, its research, including this study, remains publicly accessible. All materials have been carefully curated and uploaded to ISAR Ednannia’s Analytical Library.
ISAR Ednannia encourages other projects, organizations, and researchers to contribute to this important initiative. By sharing your findings and research, we may collectively build a robust knowledge resource to support the development of civil society in Ukraine.
Read the full study here.
