THE ROLE OF THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT IN FOSTERING SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF POST-WAR UKRAINE

Abstract

The article examines the role of the volunteer movement in fostering social entrepreneurship as a factor in the sustainable development of post-war Ukraine. The relevance of the topic stems from the need for effective instruments to restore human capital, enhance social inclusion and strengthen trust in business under conditions of protracted war and forthcoming post-war reconstruction. Given the limited resources of the state, volunteer initiatives and social enterprises play an important role in supporting vulnerable population groups, reducing social risks and strengthening community resilience. The purpose of the study is to analyse how the volunteer movement contributes to the development of social entrepreneurship, the strengthening of social inclusion, the restoration of human capital, the consolidation of business reputation and the enhancement of social security in the context of Ukraine’s post-war recovery. The methodological framework is based on general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, methods of generalisation and systems approach, as well as the analysis of secondary statistical data (including the World Giving Index and Razumkov Centre sociological surveys), legal and regulatory acts, and case studies of Ukrainian social enterprises that emerged from volunteer and civic initiatives. The research findings make it possible to characterise the volunteer movement as a catalyst for the emergence of social entrepreneurship, which accumulates human and social capital, promotes the spread of volunteering and corporate social responsibility, fosters public trust in business and expands employment opportunities for vulnerable population groups. The proposed multi-level model of interaction between social entrepreneurship, the volunteer movement, local communities, public authorities, donors and business partners makes it possible to view social enterprises as an important component of the social security infrastructure and an instrument for achieving sustainable development goals. Further research prospects are related to the quantitative assessment of the impact of participation in volunteering and social business on indicators of social inclusion, human capital development and the economic resilience of companies and communities, as well as to an in-depth examination of institutional mechanisms for supporting social entrepreneurship in the post-war period.