EMPOWERThe Activation of Change: Empowering civic engagement of young Ukrainian refugees experiencing displacement in Poland and Ukraine
sociologist
Researchers from Poland and Ukraine, Anzhela Popyk, Ph.D. from SWPS University’s Faculty of Social Sciences in Warsaw and Maryna Marko, Ph.D. from the Institute of Postgraduate Education of the Transcarpathian State University in Ukraine, will examine civic engagement of Ukrainian youth, who has been displaced as the result of the ongoing war in Ukraine and are currently living in Poland or across Ukraine.
The project is funded by the Foundation for Polish Science.
Project objectives
The goal of the project is to examine the dynamics of civic engagement of Ukrainian youth either affected by forced migration to Poland or experiencing internal displacement across Ukraine.
Nowadays, in the era of migration and social challenges, participation of youth in social life is particularly significant. The EMPOWER project has been created with the belief that young people, even when faced with forced migration and displacement, have a tremendous potential to shape their surroundings and build democratic and inclusive communities.
Methodology
Study participants will be recruited form the 15 to 18 age group. Researchers will analyze students’ participation in school life, local communities and society at large. They will aim to understand how young people cope with difficulties, how they interact with social structures, and how they use opportunities to engage in civic and community activities.
Researchers will conduct in-depth interviews and organize focus groups in eight locations, four in Poland (Warsaw, Siedlce, Rzeszów and Tarnobrzeg) and four in Ukraine (Lviv, Truskavets, Uzhhorod and Mukachevo).
Research Team
Research Partners
- SWPS University, Poland — project coordination
- Institute of Postgraduate Education of the Transcarpathian State University in Ukraine
Practical application of results
The results of the project will not only contribute to a better understanding of the social phenomena that are currently happening in Europe, but can also provide a solid foundation that might be used to shape information and education policies in the future.