LEGAL POLICY OF UKRAINE IN THE FIELD OF VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Abstract

The article is devoted to a comprehensive study of Ukraine’s legal policy in the field of volunteer activities in the context of the transformation of state-legal relations and martial law. The research examines the theoretical foundations of legal policy as a multifaceted phenomenon that combines practical, ideological, and political-legal dimensions of regulating social relations. Particular attention is paid to the evolution of the understanding of legal policy — from an instrument of state control to a mechanism of partnership with civil society, which is critically important for the effective regulation of volunteer activity. The study demonstrates that legal policy in the field of volunteering is based on the constitutional principles of freedom of association, participation in the management of state affairs, and freedom of speech, being implemented through a system of legal acts, strategic documents, and program initiatives. The key source of legal regulation is identified as the Law of Ukraine “On Volunteer Activity” of 2011, which underwent twelve sets of amendments between 2012 and 2022 in response to socio-political challenges, including the Revolution of Dignity, russian aggression, and the full-scale invasion of 2022. The article identifies systemic problems of legal policy: legislative gaps during martial law, legal uncertainty regarding the status of volunteers, duplication of functions with charitable organizations, a lack of incentive-based norms, and a low level of legal culture in certain regions. These deficiencies lead to complications in volunteer activities and increase the risk of unintentional legal violations. The research emphasizes the need to transform volunteering from a rapid crisis-response mechanism into a proactive institution of the rule of law through the development of legal culture, harmonization with the EU acquis communautaire, and institutionalization of social development mechanisms. This will contribute to building a resilient civil society in the post-war period and strengthening Ukraine’s democratic institutions.