Development Of Civil Society Research Articles

International non-governmental organizations in the field of civil society development: current state and development prospects

This article is devoted to the analysis of the current state and prospects of development of international non-governmental organizations in the field of civil society development. The existence of any modern democratic state is impossible without the presence of a developed civil society, which, on the one hand, acts as the foundation and support for the apparatus of public power, thereby ensuring its stability, and on the other hand, is a legal guarantee for the implementation of both the system of legal principles enshrined in national and international law and the entire system of rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of individuals and legal entities. The institute of international non-governmental organizations in the field of civil society development plays an important role for the development of civil society in nation States, which, on the one hand, generalize at the international level the experience of civil society development in nation States, and on the other hand, contribute to scaling up the successful experience of this development everywhere. In this scientific work, a number of research methods were used, in particular: formal-logical; historical-legal; comparative-legal; statistical; sociological; method of analyzing specific legal situations. The authors identified and analyzed the main problems that hinder the organization and activities of international non-governmental organizations in the field of civil society development, among which the following can be distinguished: a) the dependence of most international non-governmental organizations on national governments or on transnational corporations; b) the politicization of the activities of a significant part of them; c) a huge number of them (more than 75,000 for 2024), which complicates, on the one hand, the processes of regulating their activities, and on the other hand, complicates the mechanism of their organizational, technical, legal and financial support from the international community; d) the presence in a number of countries of regulatory restrictions on the activities of their branches and representative offices; e) the lack of proper public control over their activities, acts and decisions at the national and international levels. The work has developed and justified a system of measures to resolve these problems.

The evolution of civil society in the post-communist Republic of Moldova

Civil society in the Republic of Moldova has undergone significant development since the country gained independence in 1991. From its initial stages of being dominated by a small group of NGOs, Moldovan civil society has grown to encompass a diverse range of organizations working on a wide array of issues. In the early 1990s, civil society in Moldova was nascent and largely focused on humanitarian assistance and human rights issues. The country's transition to a market economy and democracy created a need for independent organizations to provide social services and advocate for the rights of citizens. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Moldovan civil society experienced rapid growth and diversification. New organizations emerged to address a variety of issues, including environmental protection, education, healthcare, and anti-corruption. These organizations played an increasingly important role in shaping public policy and holding the government accountable. In recent years, Moldovan civil society has continued to evolve and adapt to the changing political and social landscape. The country's European Union accession process has brought new challenges and opportunities for civil society organizations. While the EU has provided significant funding and support for civil society development, there have also been concerns about the influence of foreign donors and the increasing politicization of civil society. Despite the progress made in recent decades, Moldovan civil society still faces a number of challenges, including limited funding, weak institutional capacity, and limited public participation. Civil society organizations often struggle to engage the public and build broad support for their work. Despite these challenges, Moldovan civil society has a bright future. The country's young and increasingly educated population is increasingly engaged in civic life. Civil society organizations are playing a critical role in advocating for democratic reforms, promoting human rights, and protecting the environment. Our writing is synthetic and multidisciplinary in its nature. We will try to outline the development curve of the Moldovan civil sphere formed after gaining state independence, showing how this path was formed and what factors had an impact on it, both positive and negative.

Key Aspects of Implementation of Participatory Budgeting Model in Georgian Municipalities

The article, based on the latest literary sources and factual materials, consistently studies such an important issue of financial theory and economic practice as the key aspects of implementing participatory budgeting in Georgian municipalities. The factors affecting the effectiveness of the implementation of the participatory budgeting model are discussed: the urban structure of the municipality, the size of the budget of the municipality, and the development of civil society. It is determined that any model of participatory budgeting should adhere to the following principles: model design and implementation procedures should be based on good management principles; The selected procedures should take into account the specific context of a particular municipality, including urban structure, budget size, and population participation; At the planning stage, active actors of the model, interested parties should be identified and their rights and duties defined; The model should fully comply with the legislation of Georgia and the established forms of citizen participation. Based on the international experience and the reality of Georgia, the factors affecting the effectiveness of the implementation of the participatory budgeting model are discussed: the urban structure of the municipality, the size of the municipality’s budget, and the development of civil society. It stands to reason that any participatory budgeting model should have, as a minimum, the following working procedures: population group meetings, information campaigns, development and submission of project proposals, voting, and final decision, and Evaluation of participatory budgeting process and work procedures.

PUBLIC CONTROL AS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN COMBATING CORRUPTION

This article examines the formation of the institution of public control within the framework of the development of civil society in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and presents the features of its improvement based on the most significant events in the evolution of anti-corruption policy. The legal basis of interaction between the state and the non-governmental sector, the legal status of the subjects of these legal relations is considered. In modern Kazakhstan, the issue of developing a mechanism of public control over the activities of state bodies is very relevant. Currently, the process of establishing a system of public control is underway, attempts are being made to form a regulatory legal framework that strengthens the mechanisms of public control. It is necessary to develop mechanisms for equal partnership between Kazakh society and the state at the national, regional and local levels. The concept of the institution of public control is revealed, including its stages of formation, principles, content, forms of implementation, and structural characteristics. The main forms of interaction between government agencies and civil society institutions in the field of anti-corruption are characterized. The article analyzes the system of public control and the conditions of its functioning based on freedom of public association, access to information, independent media, democracy and openness of state bodies. The purpose of the study is to study the measures of public control of anti-corruption at the current stage of development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Keywords: anti-corruption, public control, civil society, anti-corruption culture, non-governmental sector, anti-corruption monitoring, public control.

НКО в институциональной системе гражданского общества и государства

The article analyzes the role and place of the non-profit sector in the institutional system of civil society. It is emphasized that currently the number, size and authority of non-profit organizations are growing all over the world. In recent years, the qualitative development of dialogue between the state and non-profit organizations has contributed to a significant transformation of public institutions, which today not only respond to challenges in various spheres of society, but also become initiators of social change Thanks to state support, the scale and number of socially significant projects increase annually, the professionalization of non-profit organizations grows, and they begin to work more purposefully, in partnership with the state, to solve the most complex public problems. The level of development of non-profit organizations has become one of the important “indicators” of the development of civil society as a whole, characterizing the degree of manifestation of initiatives of its ordinary members and their participation in the implementation of social policy.

Formation of public policy on national memory in Ukraine with the participation of civil society organisations

The article's primary focus is on the examination of civil society organisations' involvement in the decision-making and implementation processes conducted by public authorities. The aim of this article is to analyse the involvement of civil society in Ukraine (with civil society organisations as a case study) in public policy regarding national memory in Ukraine. The article employs a combination of descriptive, analytical and synthetic methods, as well as inductive and deductive approaches. The use of the dialectical method ensures a comprehensive study of the activities of civil society organisations. A comparative and structural-functional analysis was employed to examine the activities and functioning of civil society organisations. The research yielded several key insights. Firstly, the main vectors of public policy regarding national memory in Ukraine were identified. Secondly, the regulatory framework of Ukraine regulating the activities of civil society organisations and their participation in political processes was analysed. Thirdly, an overview of the instruments of civil participation in the public policy regarding national memory was conducted. Finally, the activities of civil society organisations in the field of national memory through partnerships and networking were characterised using the example of the "Reanimation Package of Reforms" Coalition. It was established that the state implements a policy to advance the growth of civil society in Ukraine, with the objective of providing support to civic initiatives. In order to implement this, Ukraine has established a regulatory framework that is continually updated in response to evolving socio-political challenges and needs. The country implements the National Strategy for the Development of Civil Society, adopts international norms and standards, and fulfils international obligations.

The essence and system of international standards of the legal status of the defendant: from generally recognized principles to acts of "soft law"

The article carries out a comprehensive analysis of the essence and system of international standards of the legal status of the defendant. The problem of terminological uncertainty of the concept of «international standards» in the context of criminal proceedings and protection of the defendant’s rights is investigated. It is revealed that the absence of a single legal definition of this term and clear criteria for classifying norms as generally recognized creates significant obstacles to their effective application in practice. Various doctrinal approaches to understanding international standards of the defendant’s rights are analyzed. It is established that in the scientific literature there is a tendency to identify international standards with various legal categories: human rights, obligations of states, principles of international law. The specifics of European standards as a special subcategory of international standards of the defendant’s rights are investigated. The system of sources of international standards is determined, which includes generally recognized international documents (UN Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1966 Covenants), regional standards and acts of «soft law». Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the recommendation documents of international organizations, which, despite the lack of binding legal force, play an important role in the development of the system of standards. The main problems of the practical application of international standards are identified: the dispersion of norms in various international documents, theabsenceofauniversalinterpretation mechanism and the complexity of implementation in national legal systems. The differences between the European and universal systems of protection of the rights of the defendant are analyzed in the context of the availability of mechanisms for official interpretation of standards. It is substantiated that compliance with international standards of the rights of the defendant is an important indicator of the democratization of society, the quality of relations between the individual and the state and the development of civil society. It is proposed to consider international standards as a dynamic system that is constantly evolving in accordance with the development of social relations and the needs for the protection of human rights. Proposals are formulated to improve the mechanisms of implementation and interpretation of international standards, to increase the level of their understanding and application by lawyers in practice. Prospects for the development of the system of international standards of the rights of the defendant in the context of modern trends in international law are determined.

Peculiarities of formation of legal awareness of students of higher education institutions: realities of today

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of the formation of legal awareness of students of higher education institutions in the context of the challenges and realities of the military present, which is an important task for the full development of civil society and the rule of law. It is emphasized that institutions of higher education, within the educational space, need to pay attention to the formation and development of valuable legal attitudes of students, legal culture and legal awareness. It is necessary to form a personality with legitimate beliefs, respect for the law, national symbols, human dignity and human rights and freedoms on the basis of a defined national policy, in particular, in the educational space and directly in institutions of higher education. It was found that the awareness of the peculiarities of behavior, permissible or not permissible self-realization in society and perception of the rules and norms of social interaction between people in the state depends on the internal beliefs and legal awareness of the person. It is emphasized that students of higher education institutions acquire certain professional competencies during their studies, and also continue the process of their own socialization. This process directly depends on the environment in which a person is formed, what values he develops under the influence of the environment. It is noted that it is advisable to create legal advisory centers in institutions of higher education, which, in addition to free legal assistance, will provide consultations and explain to students the norms of current legislation, introduce them to the peculiarities of legal systems, and encourage students to understand the role and importance of law for society. Attention is focused on the fact that value attitudes and orientations formed at a young age will become the basis for the lawful behavior of a person and will allow to realize the value of the rights, freedoms of a person and a citizen, human dignity and a person, in general. This will be a guarantee that such a person in the future will be able to form a democratic society and a legal state based on general civilizational norms and principles of human coexistence.

TRANSFORMATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY INSTITUTIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR

The peculiarities of the development of civil society institutions in the conditions of the russian-Ukrainian war are considered. The purpose of the article is to study the process of transformations in CSIs during the russian-Ukrainian war, to clarify the priority areas of cooperation with state institutions in the field of security, as well as challenges to civil society. The research methodology is based on the use of general scientific and special historical methods. Given the study of contemporary socio-political phenomena, political research methods were applied. The scientific novelty of the article is that it is the first to detail the peculiarities of CSI development in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war, to highlight the factors of influence on civil society, and to outline the steps to establish cooperation between CSIs, state institutions and local self-government. The author concludes that during the Russian-Ukrainian war of 2014-2024, there were quantitative and qualitative changes in civil society institutions that played a key role in defending the country, providing for the army, helping victims of hostilities, IDPs, promoting the country's democratic progress, advocacy, youth work, etc. The effectiveness of CSIs can be explained by several factors: 1) the ability to address urgent problems more quickly than state institutions; 2) the integration of human resources for project implementation; 3) the use of innovative approaches to solving critical issues; 4) a higher level of public trust compared to state authorities and local self-government. At the present stage, CSIs serve as an important tool for democratic development and are becoming an element of Ukraine's national resistance. It is important for state institutions to find the best approach to cooperation with civil society, especially in the restoration and development of the country. CSIs can become a powerful factor in the fight against corruption, a tool for rebuilding Ukraine's economy, developing democracy, and contributing to European integration trends. Therefore, it is necessary to develop conceptual approaches to cooperation between the government and CSIs in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine in the near future, as well as to outline the potential for civil society development for the next 5–10 years. This will allow us to understand what kind of assistance and in what areas the state can rely on civil society.

Legal ideal in the light of potential achievement through the prism of axiological analysis of world experience and determination understanding in Ukraine

The article analyzes the current state of Ukraine and world experience regarding the possibility of achieving the legal ideal. The positions of Ukrainian scientists regarding the understanding of this category are considered. The author’s concept of the legal ideal is derived, which is interpreted in a narrow sense - as a process of knowledge and analysis of the current legal system with the aim of its further improvement, to ensure the dignified existence of the individual in the conditions of the development of civil society and the rule of law. It is proposed to consider the legal nature of the legal ideal at the doctrinal and everyday levels. The doctrinal level includes a harmoniously combined and integral system of principles, ideas, ideas, concepts and model norms regarding law and its development, that is, it expresses the normative-value nature of the legal ideal based on perfect and fair law. At the everyday level, the legal ideal is based on customs, traditions, and social experience, which characterize the peculiarities of the life of a specific nation, nationality, and ethnic group. The European legal ideal is studied using the example of the European Union. Among the main ideals in the 27 EU countries, human rights, peace, democracy, the rule of law, solidarity, equality and personal freedom take precedence. It has been proven that for Ukraine in modern realities it is practically impossible to achieve the legal ideal. However, it is necessary to work on improving the concept of the implementation of the legal ideal in order to maintain the appropriate level of legal awareness of the population. It is proposed to focus people’s orientation on striving for such a legal ideal that would correspond to the principles and standards of legal behavior based on national self-awareness, history, Ukrainian culture, ideals of goodness, justice, freedom and independence. The prospects for further research are indicated, namely: it is necessary to analyze in more detail the positive trends of the concept of realization of the legal ideal by other states with possible borrowing for improving the legal system of Ukraine; the question of the mechanism of implementing the legal ideal into legal reality should be subjected to a general theoretical analysis; it is necessary to specify ways of transforming legal ideology on the basis of the modern national idea of Ukrainians.

NECESSITY OF FORMATION OF SOCIO-PHILOSOPHICAL THINKING OF YOUTH IN YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

Objective: This study aims to explore the role of young people in the formation and development of civil society, particularly in the context of democratic reforms and the cultivation of democratic values. Methods: The research utilizes a qualitative approach, analyzing the attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors of young individuals toward democratic processes and societal transformation. Data were collected through surveys and interviews, focusing on their understanding of democratic principles, self-awareness, civic engagement, and political participation. Results: The findings indicate that young people demonstrate a strong desire to contribute to the development of civil society. They exhibit a deep understanding of democratic reforms, a willingness to engage in new social relationships, and an evolving historical and political consciousness. Furthermore, there is a notable increase in self-confidence and a growing sense of civic responsibility, reflecting the positive outcomes of democratic changes within society. Novelty: This study highlights the emerging role of youth as active participants in the democratization process, suggesting that their involvement is a crucial factor for the successful implementation of democratic reforms and societal progress. The research contributes to understanding the relationship between youth development and political transformation in contemporary societies.

Методи і форми комунікації з відвідувачами в освітній діяльності музею Голодомору

The modern museum performs a large number of functions, among which it is worth emphasizing those that affect the formation of the worldview of youth, as well as the preservation and development of civil society as a whole. The National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide highlights the history associated with social trauma, which makes the choice of methods and approaches used to carry out this mission become even more important. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to show the ways of interaction with visitors of different ages, which are used in the work of the educational department of the Holodomor Museum. The study provides an overview of the main types of educational activities for schoolchildren offered by the Museum. The main objectives of these activities are familiarization with the problem of protecting human rights, analysis of sources on the history of the Holodomor (photos, posters, diaries, eyewitness accounts of genocide and archival documents), formation of critical thinking skills (in particular, the ability to recognize fakes in the media) and drawing attention to the importance of studying one‘s own family history. Also the article tells about the emphases that are significant while working with children and teenage audiences and talking about traumatic events. Great attention is paid to interactive tools of working with visitors in the museum, in particular the use of video, animation, and other media tools when creating online tours and lessons. Online work with visitors has become especially relevant since 2020. For this purpose, we adapted some educational lessons and created tours in an online format, which consist of communication with the guide and watching a pre-prepared video tour. Such tours are created in two versions, in accordance with the age of students (6–12 years old and over 13 years old). The video tour for teenagers and adults uses historical documents, photographs, fragments of newsreels and video testimonies of Holodomor witnesses, as well as exhibits from the museum collection and stock materials. To develop lessons for younger students, the means of playing and storytelling were used, and the video tour for children 6–12 years old was illustrated with the help of sand animation, which allows showing the exposition and telling about the Holodomor to younger listeners without hurting them. Keywords: Holodomor Museum, Holodomor, communication, online tours, educational tours and lessons, museum audience, accessibility

SOCIO-POLITICAL ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL CULTURE SYSTEM

culture and political consciousness, particularly in relation to the impact of globalization and the role of youth in shaping the political landscape. Method: A qualitative, descriptive methodology is employed, analyzing theoretical frameworks from political science literature, with a focus on Almond and Verba’s political culture typology. The study incorporates a comparative analysis of political systems and case studies to explore the evolution of political culture in different societies. Results: The research identifies three types of political culture—parochial, subject, and participatory—highlighting their relevance to political stability and the development of civil society. Furthermore, the study reveals that globalization significantly influences political behavior, especially among youth in post-2000 societies, shaping their political consciousness and engagement. Novelty: The paper’s contribution lies in its exploration of the intersection between globalization and political culture, particularly in post-Soviet states, and its critical analysis of the role of youth in navigating political systems. The findings emphasize the importance of fostering political awareness and participation in the face of global political pressures.

Civil Society and Sustainable Development around the World: Issues and Academic Notes

The aim of this study is to provide a deeper understanding of how circular economy practices can be applied in different sectors and industries to the SDGs. The study uses 144 scientific papers from the Scopus Database to conduct systematic reviews as research methodologies. Research results to present relevant information on the role of the circular economy in supporting progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The main contribution of this research is to provide an in-depth understanding of the role, strategies and impact of civil society in sustainable development, as well as provide valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners and academics in designing and implementing more effective and inclusive development programmes. The limitation of this research is that the articles used are derived only from the Scopus database.

STATE POLICY AS A FORM OF TARGETED STATE ACTIVITY

The article examines state policy as an organized and purposeful activity of the state, which provides for the protection of public interests, ensures the adoption of balanced and justified state decisions, and contributes to the stable development of Ukrainian society. Issues of state policy formation in the system of planning and implementation of development plans of modern society are considered. It was determined that with the transition from bureaucratic forms to innovative methods of managing the state and society, state policy acquires certain signs of publicity, due to the involvement of both state and non-state public organizations in its implementation. It has been proven that the European integration of Ukraine is accompanied by changes in state policy, which is based on European values ​​and standards for the formation of a legal, social and democratic state. Therefore, it is better to use the term «public policy», as active purposeful actions of the state based on the cooperation of state institutions, civil society institutions, as well as non-state organizations and individual citizens. It is noted that the participatory theory of democracy should become a universal principle of organizing the public policy of the Ukrainian state. Because the basis of the effective functioning of participatory democracy is a developed civil society, as well as public trust in the activities of state and public institutions, that is, citizens' confidence in the correctness of the actions of public authorities to implement the goals announced by the state. It is substantiated that modern state (public) policy, firstly, is designed to ensure public expression of will, expression of interests and needs of the population and their practical implementation at the level of power institutions; secondly, it should be based on the principles of: openness, transparency and democracy; thirdly, in the process of development and implementation of political decisions, civil society institutions should be involved in this work. The specific characteristics of state policy as an active activity are singled out, which distinguish it from a whole array of other types of policies. In further studies, it is suggested to pay attention to the normative and legal regulation of state policy.

Правовое обеспечение взаимодействия органов публичной власти с институтами гражданского общества

In the article, the author analyzes the role of civil society and its legal significance in the context of interaction with public authorities. The author concludes that in the absence of official consolidation of the concepts of “institution of civil society” and “civil society” in the legal field of the Russian Federation, it negatively affects the prospects and opportunities for the stable development and functioning of civil society and its institutions.

The transformative role of the European Union on Turkish civil society a legal framework analysis from recognition to protection

Under the influence of the European Union (EU), the legal framework of civil society in Turkey has undergone significant changes. However, have the normative framework and policy demands of the EU been able to play a transformative role in shaping the legal organization of civil society in Turkey? In this study, we aimed to examine the transformative role of the EU in shaping the legal structure of civil society in Turkey. In the study, the Turkey Progress Reports published by the EU since 2005 were systematically examined, and the legal development of civil society was analyzed. The transformative role of the EU in shaping the legal structure of civil society in Turkey is of critical importance for democratization and strengthening the rule of law in the country. Efforts to align with EU standards have increased the legal recognition and protection of civil society in Turkey. Additionally, the financial and technical support provided by the EU has encouraged legal reforms aimed at enhancing the capacity of civil society organizations in Turkey. Nevertheless, further steps are necessary to fully strengthen and protect the legal structure of civil society.

Концепты «политическая элита» и «политическое лидерство» в контексте проблемы девиации элитного уровня власти

In the article, the concepts of "political elite", "political leadership" and "deviation" were analyzed in their interrelation and interdependence, the "paradox of elites" was revealed, associated with the duality of their positioning in the system of public morality and management, provided with exclusive powers and resources to establish socio-political norms, realize their own interests, and approve practices Doublethink, transgression and arbitrariness as attributes of political morality based on the paradigm of Machiavellianism and the concept of political efficiency. Since in classical and modern concepts of administrative and bureaucratic elites, their essential characteristics and functionality are determined in accordance with the rational-legal type of domination, the main deviations of their behavior and quality occur in the plane of deviation from the system of rational-legal attitudes and rules. On the one hand, in order to prevent deviations, this focuses on the maximum exclusion of the impact of the so-called "human factor" in political management, associated with the objective tendency of the elite to isolate, distance itself from the majority, its exploitation in the corporate interests of retaining and increasing power, etc. On the one hand, in order to prevent deviations, this focuses on the maximum exclusion of the impact of the so-called "human factor" in political management, associated with the objective tendency of the elite to isolate, distance itself from the majority, its exploitation in the corporate interests of retaining and multiplying power, etc. And, on the other hand, actualizes the problems of the value component in the activity administrative and political elites, the problem of serving the interests of the majority and state strategic development goals, identifying and analyzing mechanisms and models of political governance not only on the basis of legal rationality, but also traditional public values. At the same time, the most promising model of interaction between a political leader and his followers is the constitutional model, and transformational leadership is most consistent with the tasks of parrying the mechanisms of deviation of political elites and the development of civil society in crisis transitions.

Религиозный фактор в деструктивных социальных процессах (на примере исламизма)

Spiritual and cultural characteristics play a significant role in modern society. The religious factor is one of the key elements that ensure spiritual security, strengthen friendly relations between various ethnic and religious groups, and shape their self-determination. Religion is one of the driving forces of the development of civil society and even determines the degree of its intensity. Due to the increasing influence of religion on political processes, its influence is becoming extremely important for domestic and foreign policy activities, therefore, the government of any state should take into account religious specifics. The religious factor has a powerful consolidating condition in countering the development of destructive processes. At the same time, in order to satisfy personal ambitions and achieve political goals, despite the contradiction of the basic religious principles and doctrines, representatives of destructive religious trends actively use psychological methods of influence, using the faith and beliefs of their followers. The implementation of the proposed measures to ensure spiritual security in various spheres of civil society at all levels of government makes it possible to counteract destructive influences using religious beliefs. The aim of the study is to formulate the main outlines of a balanced policy in the ethno-confessional sphere and based on ideological principles that can provide conditions for agreement and unification of relations between political actors. It is precisely such ideological concepts that can act as a weighty opponent to the destructive process. In this study, methods based on rationalism, dialectics, comparative analysis, historiography were used, structural-functional and civilizational approaches were applied. The results of the research can be used in the development of conceptual documents in the field of security.

Environmental Activism in Ukraine: Everyday Concerns as Reasons for Civic Mobilization

ABSTRACT Based on the results of a representative survey and 30 semi-structured interviews with environmental CSO leaders, we argue that citizens in Ukraine are more likely to participate in public mobilization efforts when they relate to unmet day-to-day problems such as environmental protection. Despite the relatively weak professionalization of many environmental organizations and weak citizen involvement, environmental activism has been strengthened in recent decades by growing awareness of its importance and potential to bring desirable changes, especially locally. This problem-based research asks how civic potential to address everyday problems by citizens themselves and the evolving political opportunity structure including the new civil society development strategy and decentralization reform impact environmental activism and the condition of civil society in Ukraine. Our findings demonstrate that environmental and animal protection have a particularly strong impact on civic activism, which has several important public and social functions from service providing and raising awareness to advocacy. Yet this activism to be sustained requires supportive and collaborative relationship between civil society actors and the state.