Civic Resilience in Crisis: Evaluating the 'Civic Embers' Model for Youth Engagement and Democratic Learning in Wartime Ukraine

• In Event: Post-Soviet Educational Pathways: Gender, Ideological Influence, and International Mobility

Abstract

The war in Ukraine has disrupted education and civic participation for millions of young people, yet recent trends indicate a surge in youth volunteerism and local governance participation. According to recent estimates, youth engagement in volunteer initiatives has increased from approximately 4% in 2021 to between 25-30% in 2025, reflecting a broader shift toward grassroots civic action. However, without structured support, this engagement risks being sporadic rather than sustained. This study evaluates the Civic Embers program, launched in 2024, as a structured civic education initiative aimed at enhancing youth agency, participatory skills, and democratic engagement in Ukraine’s evolving civic landscape.
Employing a mixed-methods approach, this study examines the program’s impact through:
- Pre/post-program surveys tracking changes in civic efficacy, local engagement, and perceptions of governance.
- Focus groups documenting participant experiences, challenges, and evolving civic attitudes.
- Content analysis of discussions and cross-cultural exchanges with U.S. peers to assess shifts in civic identity and practical engagement strategies.
Initial findings suggest that experiential civic education, particularly when combined with action-based learning and cross-cultural exchanges, fosters greater institutional trust and sustained community participation. However, challenges such as regional disparities in civic infrastructure and access to digital engagement tools present limitations to scalability. By bridging civic education with applied engagement, Civic Embers provides a potentially replicable model for strengthening youth-driven civic participation in conflict-affected and transitional societies. These insights contribute to broader discussions on democratic learning, youth engagement, and community resilience in postwar recovery efforts.

Author

• Geoffrey Deron Glenn, The Charitable Foundation of the City of Dubno "Dobrobut" (Ukraine)