The Phenomenon of Social Mobilization in a Situation of Crisis at the Border: Environment, Resources and Social Innovations

Abstract

In the article, we analyze the specificity of the active response of residents of the eastern border areas to unexpected and sudden events in their surroundings: the wave of migrants from Africa and the Middle East since mid-2021 at the border with Belarus and the mass exodus of people from Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion in February 2022. We are looking for confirmation of the thesis that the development potential of the crisis exists and we are testing hypotheses regarding the role of the social and institutional environment in the manifestation of this potential. We present the results of a field study devoted to: the perception of the social environment of activists for migrants – as a factor encouraging them to provide help or demobilizing them; analysis of forms and methods of operation with particular emphasis on their innovative nature; the course and effects of aid activities from the perspective of generating, using, exchanging and consolidating cognitive and social resources in local environments confronted with the crisis.