Challenges and prospects for the development of volunteer activity in Ukraine

Abstract

The article aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current challenges and development prospects of volunteer activity in Ukraine within the field of social work, drawing on recent publications, analytical reports, and statistics from 2021-2025. The methodology relies on a systematic review of academic literature, a comparative legal analysis of the national framework regulating volunteering, and a synthesis of empirical evidence from nationwide opinion polls and thematic studies by international donor organizations. The study adopts an evidence-based approach and a transparent selection of up-to-date, reputable sources. It addresses the organizational and institutional foundations of social-work-related volunteering, state-civil society partnerships, human resource and psychological dimensions, the digitalization and logistics of assistance, and the role of volunteering in supporting vulnerable groups and post-war community recovery. Special emphasis is placed on trends in public trust towards volunteer initiatives, shifts in volunteer motivation, and regional disparities in civic engagement. The scientific novelty lies in systematizing post-pandemic and wartime determinants of volunteering growth, identifying bottlenecks in institutionalization (volunteer insurance and safety, transparency of resource flows, integration into social service delivery), and outlining a coherent policy roadmap for the next 5–10 years. The findings indicate that, despite unprecedented civic mobilization, the sector faces persistent challenges of regulatory gaps, coordination deficits, resource volatility, and volunteer burnout. The practical implications include proposals to strengthen state-civil society co-production, establish a national coordination and accountability infrastructure, scale training and psychosocial support programs for volunteers, and develop corporate and digital forms of volunteering. The conclusions underscore the need for strategic integration of volunteering into social policy and reconstruction agendas to ensure sustainability of outcomes and greater effectiveness in assisting vulnerable populations.