ABSTRACT
This chapter explores volunteering as a hybrid phenomenon within the context of internal displacement in Ukraine. It argues that traditional notions of ‘pure’ volunteering are inadequate in situations marked by legal ambiguity and urgent humanitarian needs. Spontaneous volunteering emerged as a vital force in 2014, not only in providing immediate aid but also in shaping relationships among displaced persons, authorities, NGOs, and businesses. Volunteers often acted as intermediaries, bridging gaps in welfare provision and influencing policy. The chapter highlights how volunteering evolved from informal responses into structured, impactful activities, contributing to social transformation and integration. It also examines the challenges posed by fragmented legal frameworks and the pressures on activists navigating complex environments. By focusing on the process of volunteering, the study reveals its dynamic, situational nature, and its potential to drive systemic change and capacity to support the post-war reconstruction in Ukraine.
