Author(s) / Editor(s):

 Klymenko Оlena Yuriivna, Professor, Doctor of Science in Sociology, Professor, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Social Expertise, Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

 email: klimenkoelens@gmail.com

 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8560-8642

Year: 2025

Pages: 321–343

Publication language: Ukrainian

Publisher: Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

Type of Publication: chapter in edited volume

Publication Place: Kyiv

DOI: TBD

The section analyzes the features of civic activity among Ukrainian youth in the context of war, identifying its key trends, contradictions, and prospects for post-war development. It demonstrates that in times of societal crisis, young people show a high level of mobilization and solidarity, expressed through volunteering, digital communication, horizontal networks, and informal initiatives. Digital technologies have become a central tool of civic interaction, enabling rapid self-organization, information exchange, and coordination of collective actions. At the same time, the ambivalent nature of this activity is emphasized: the readiness of youth to act actively in extreme situations often does not transform into stable and institutionalized participation in democratic processes. A number of structural barriers limiting youth potential are identified, including the institutional weakness of youth policy, the lack of civic education, the prevalence of consumer-oriented forms of participation, and an insufficient level of critical thinking. It is argued that the Ukrainian experience confirms modern concepts of civil society, in which trust, horizontal connections, and digital tools define resilience and the capacity of society for self-organization. The author concludes that a strategic task for Ukraine’s post-war development is the creation of inclusive and effective mechanisms for involving youth in decision-making, strengthening the role of civic education, and fostering a space for critical dialogue. This will ensure the sustainability of civic activity and transform youth into a key resource for democratic transformation and social consolidation.

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