Volunteerism as a form of social mobilisation in countering russian aggression

Abstract

The article analyses the origins, formation and development of the volunteer movement in Ukraine as a form of social unity in achieving socially significant goals. The author emphasises the high level of social mobilisation in opposition to Russian military aggression, in particular, after the full-scale military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. It is shown that volunteering is one of the forms of public activity, the result of self-organisation of the population and social mobilisation of citizens, an effective tool for consolidation to achieve a common goal and influence socio-political processes.
It is proved that in the context of the threat to statehood, public activity is often implemented outside the formal state and public institutions, and is built on informal principles, through self-organisation of the population. It is emphasised that such associations often arise spontaneously, but are focused on solving specific problems.
It is emphasised that the activities of volunteers and volunteer organisations in Ukraine enjoy the support of the population and a high level of public trust. The author outlines the trends in the creation of temporary public associations based on the principles of network structures through social Internet networks and the strengthening of interaction of such associations of citizens in solving specific tasks aimed at helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine and providing targeted assistance to those in need.
The article analyses certain aspects of the state policy in the field of volunteering, in particular, the National Social Service of Ukraine, whose activities are directed and coordinated by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine through the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, highlights the problems of the regulatory and legal nature of ensuring this activity, and suggests certain directions for improving the state policy in this area.