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Community Cooperation and Social Resilience in a Low-Trust Wartime Context: Evidence from Ukraine

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  • Catalina Saioc

    (Faculty of Business and Administration, University of Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

Ukraine entered the 2022 war with relatively low levels of institutional trust, raising an important question about how communities remain socially functional during extended crisis conditions. This article examines the role of community cooperation in sustaining social resilience during the 2022-2024 war period. Drawing on polycentric governance and antifragility frameworks, the paper analyzes social cohesion indicators from institutional reports alongside documented cooperation practices to assess how cooperation developed at the local level during the conflict. The analysis focuses on interactions between local authorities, civil society organizations, and volunteer networks engaged in community support and recovery initiatives. The findings suggest a functional decoupling between institutional trust and community cooperation: while trust in public authorities fluctuated during the war, community cooperation remained relatively stable. Informal local networks played an important role in organizing support activities and maintaining basic services when formal institutions were under pressure. These findings suggest that community-level cooperation can remain stable even in low-trust wartime environments, highlighting the importance of local coordination for sustaining social resilience.

Suggested Citation

  • Catalina Saioc, 2026. "Community Cooperation and Social Resilience in a Low-Trust Wartime Context: Evidence from Ukraine," Manager Journal, Faculty of Business and Administration, University of Bucharest, vol. 43(1), pages 61-68, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:but:manage:v:43:y:2026:i:1:p:61-68
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    JEL classification:

    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • H83 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Public Administration
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

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