UDC 364-322:001.891]:355.01(470+ RESEARCH OF VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES DURING THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR

DOI : https://doi.org/10.51706/2707-3076-2022-6-15

Abstract

Volunteering is gaining momentum with each year of Ukraine’s independence. Since 2014, volunteering has shifted to the needs of the war. On February 24, 2022, the war moved into a phase of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and volunteering confronted new challenges and tasks.

The article reveals the meaning of the concepts of «volunteering» and «social activity». One of the manifestations of social activity is volunteering. Researchers note that volunteering is one of the foundations of civil society, as without the participation of volunteers, it is difficult to imagine public organizations and charity in general. Volunteering is one of the effective mechanisms for solving the problems and needs of the community, where volunteer programs and initiatives are implemented.

The article considers the data of the All-Ukrainian sociological research “Attitudes of young people to participation in volunteering”, conducted by the sociologist M. Krasiy. The analytical report of D. Horielov and O. Kornievskyi – “Volunteer movement: international experience and Ukrainian civic practices” has been analyzed in this research study. On its basis, we created own table with the types of volunteer activities during the Russian-Ukrainian war. The table considers humanitarian projects, environmental projects, as well as cultural and historical initiatives.

The data of the “Eighth National Survey: Adaptation of Ukrainians to the Conditions of War” from the “Rating” Sociological Group were considered. According to it almost 80 % of respondents participate in one way or another in defending the country, including 35 % volunteering, and helping people/military. The article also deals with the study of the International Youth Project of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - U-Report, on volunteering during the war. At the request of the United Nations, in December 2014, the company “GfK Ukraine” conducted a nationwide survey of volunteering in Ukraine. According to the survey, 85% believe that the volunteer movement helps to strengthen peace, and 81% tend to consider the volunteer movement a necessary part of civil society. The main activity of volunteers in 2014 was to help the Ukrainian army and the wounded - 70% of volunteers were involved in this kind of activity.