Citizen participation in decision-making amid high security threats in Ukraine

Abstract

This paper focuses on identifying the specific nature of the transformation of civic participation in Ukraine under martial law and in the context of significant security threats. It is argued that effective post-war recovery and the sustainable development of the state are priorities whose implementation directly depends on the ability of government authorities to establish meaningful dialogue with local communities and to engage citizens in governance processes. It is established that despite the objective restrictions on certain rights and freedoms provided for in Article 64 of the Constitution of Ukraine, the principle of popular sovereignty remains unchanged, which necessitates the preservation of inclusive mechanisms of political influence for all segments of the population. The paper proposes ways to ensure public participation in governance decisions. Particular attention is focused on the development of e-democracy as the most adaptive and effective tool in the context of the country’s digitalization. The role of digital government services, in particular the “Diya” portal, and educational initiatives on digital literacy in ensuring four levels of participation—information, consultation, dialogue, and partnership between the government and the community—is examined. The importance of preserving offline formats and the activities of community self-organization bodies (building, neighborhood, and street committees) is also highlighted. Such structures serve as a reliable foundation for resolving local issues, providing assistance to internally displaced persons, and enabling rapid self-organization of residents on the ground. Particular emphasis is placed on the need to implement specific inclusive policies to engage vulnerable groups—military personnel, veterans, and internally displaced persons—through the institutionalization of consultative bodies and veteran hubs. It is determined that such participation is the foundation of adaptive governance, where feedback is a key element of state resilience. The combination of electronic mechanisms of democracy and secure forms of offline interaction is a necessary condition for preserving the democratic character of the state, fulfilling the requirements of European integration, and enhancing Ukraine’s institutional resilience.