By Tamar Jacoby and Karolina Czerska-Shaw
Civil society in Ukraine has flourished in the decades after independence – a bright spot in a country that sometimes struggled with other aspects of democratic nation-building,
including electoral politics and the battle against corruption. It is therefore not surprising to see civil society emerge as a critical player in the war effort, sheltering internally displaced persons, providing humanitarian aid in occupied territories, supporting soldiers on the front lines, and more. The Ukrainian civil society isn’t active only inside Ukraine: Diaspora in neighbouring countries has also given rise to a vibrant third sector, and it too has transformed itself in the year since the full-scale Russian invasion.
This research report is the outcome of research looking at 20 civil society organizations active in neighbouring Poland since the invasion of February 2022, including nine in-depth interviews and one focus group. The report offers some modest recommendations for policymakers seeking to leverage grassroots groups to strengthen democracy in post-war Ukraine, including by enhancing ties between Ukraine and the rest of Europe.
