The Impact of the War on Ukraine on Civil Society Mobilization

The war in Ukraine has had far-reaching consequences, extending beyond politics and security. This paper seeks to examine the mobilization of environmental civil society organizations (CSOs) in response to the war and its implications for Ukraine's aspirations towards EU accession. As the conflict unfolds, they are not only addressing environmental issues but are also grappling with concerns about democratic governance. This multifaceted engagement underscores the pivotal role of environmental CSOs in shaping not only environmental policies but also contributing to broader discussions on democratic values and governance. Using a qualitative approach, drawing upon a combination of primary and secondary literature review and interviews with key stakeholders, the paper will analyze the impact of the war in Ukraine on the mobilization of environmental CSOs, examine their role in shaping Ukraine's environmental policies amidst the conflict, and assess the influence of environmental activism on Ukraine's progress towards democratisation and European Union accession. While existing literature explores the role of civil society in conflict zones and the impact of war on state-building, there is a notable gap in understanding the specific dynamics of environmental CSOs in war-affected regions and their contribution to democratisation and broader geopolitical objectives such as EU accession. This paper aims to bridge this gap by contextualizing the Ukrainian case within the literature on civil society mobilization, environmental activism, and EU conditionality.