Characteristics of the Volunteer Movement and Motivation of Volunteers in the Conditions of the Russo-Ukrainian War (According to the Results of a Qualitative Study)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29038/2306-3971-2023-02-22-22

Keywords:

volunteerism, volunteer movement, motivation of volunteers, civil society, Russo-Ukrainian war

Abstract

Following the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory in 2014, volunteer movements aimed at protecting Ukraine from the Russian invasion began to actively develop in Ukraine. Since then, volunteering has encompassed all spheres of Ukrainian social life. After the full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022, there was another surge in volunteer activity. This article analyzes the results of a study on the state of the volunteer movement, its transformation, as well as the motives for participating or ceasing participation in volunteer movements. The relevance of the study lies in the fact that the volunteer movement plays a key role in responding to social, political, and economic challenges, especially in the context of Russian aggression. Therefore, understanding what motivates people to engage in volunteering helps to identify the main moral, emotional, and social factors that shape this movement. Thus, the importance of this research lies in identifying the key stimuli that encourage active citizen participation in volunteer initiatives, which in turn strengthens social cohesion and promotes the development of civil society. The aim of the study was to gain a deep understanding of the motivations, values, and assessments of different research groups. The research methodology was a series of focus group discussions with representatives of three target groups: volunteers, business representatives, and government officials.

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Published

20.12.2023

Issue

Section

SOCIAL REALITY IN EMPIRICAL STUDIES