Transformation of the Role of Civil Society in Ukraine in the Context of Full-Scale War

Abstract

The article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the transformation of the role of civil society in Ukraine in the context of a full-scale war. It highlights the importance of civil society organizations as a key factor in social resilience, resource mobilization, and state support under crisis conditions. The theoretical framework is grounded in contemporary sociological theory and the concept of active social action, which makes it possible to examine the changing nature of interaction between individuals, society, and the state under conditions of military threat. Based on empirical data from surveys of civil society organizations conducted between 2022 and 2025, the study analyzes the dynamics of social vulnerability among various population groups and identifies the emergence of a new, war-induced hierarchy of social risks. The findings demonstrate a shift in the focus of civil assistance from traditional socio-economic groups toward categories directly affected by the consequences of hostilities, as well as an increasing institutional role of non-governmental organizations within the social service delivery system. The study also identifies a declining level of satisfaction with the activities of the civil sector, which is interpreted as an indicator of intensified internal reflection and structural challenges. The article concludes by emphasizing the dual nature of civil society development, which simultaneously functions as a compensatory mechanism for national stability while facing risks related to selectivity and resource constraints.