CIVIL SOCIETY IN UKRAINE: TRANSFORMATION IN THE CONTEXT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND WARTIME CHALLENGES

Abstract

The article examines the relationship between the processes of civil society development and implementation of European values in the context of Ukraine's European integration course. The article also highlights theoretical approaches to defining civil society as an autonomous social sphere functioning on the principles of self-organization and mutual responsibility. The basic principles underlying the concept of European values, such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, rule of law, equality and solidarity are analyzed. The role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in promoting these values in modern Ukraine, in particular in wartime, is considered. Particular attention is paid to the transformational processes in public consciousness of Ukrainians to the strengthening of markers of European identity, which has gained new meaning as a result of the full-scale war. The article analyzes the current state of legal and regulatory support for the functioning of civil society institutions, including recently adopted laws of Ukraine, as well as the Roadmap on the Functioning of Democratic Institutions, which defines the direction of reforms in civil society development, the implementation of which is a prerequisite for starting negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. The key challenges for the development of civil sector under martial law are identified and the potential for its participation in the implementation of European integration policy is outlined. Summarizing the research results, we can conclude that civil society in Ukraine, despite the difficult circumstances of wartime, demonstrates a growing institutional capacity and plays an important role in strengthening democratic practices, adapting European values and consolidating society.