Fraud, bureaucracy, and burnout: the top challenges faced by volunteers in Ukraine during the war.

Ukrainian volunteers have become a driving force since the onset of the full-scale invasion. Almost every conscious citizen has joined efforts to gather equipment, drones, and technology. Over three years of this major war, the volunteer movement has evolved: only the most resilient have remained. What challenges do they face, and what changes do they observe – in the article by Anastasia Rokitna for RBK-Ukraine.

"I constantly feel the urge to help, especially those whose fate depends on it globally. I have always felt the need to support those in distress," says Mykolaiv volunteer Elena Bondarenko, who today chose to serve as a military chaplain.

Her words most accurately describe the primary motivation for people to join the ranks of the compassionate. The volunteers we interviewed expressed a shared sentiment regarding their goals: they are ready for a long-term "service" to society. However, the challenges they face shake their confidence.

"Sometimes it feels like you are trying to break down a wall"

"You do everything possible, expend your strength, time, and money, and then you run into a solid wall of indifference. This is even more exhausting than physical work," says the volunteer "Katran". She has been volunteering since 2014 but admits that the greatest demotivation occurred in 2023. "People have gotten used to the war. They no longer react as they did at the beginning. There are requests, but the responses are dwindling," she adds.

Societal indifference has become one of the main reasons for the emotional burnout of volunteers. Previously, society responded en masse to fundraising efforts, supporting the army and civilians in hot spots. Now, as volunteers note, the activity has significantly decreased.

"The disappointment of the military in me, in people, in the rear – this is what hurts the most," says volunteer Valeria, who started by assisting humanitarian hubs and then launched her own fundraising for the army. According to her, the military no longer always believe in support, which demotivates the volunteers themselves.

Dmitry "Drongo", a military personnel who also raises funds, believes that indifference is even more destructive than fatigue: "This burnout is caused not by fatigue from activity, but by people's indifference, which increases every day." He recounts that sometimes he directly addresses the audience in his posts, trying to break through this informational barrier: "Instead of Bukovel – donate for a car." But this doesn't always work.

Volunteers admit that they are forced to come up with unconventional ways to attract funds to maintain audience attention. "You become like a circus monkey: raffles, unique lots, photos of soldiers from the front line – anything to get people to donate," says Margarita Rivchachenko, who uses her media recognition for fundraising. "I understand that it's hard for people too, but sometimes I just want to scream: the war is not over!" she adds.

Elena Bondarenko, a volunteer from Mykolaiv who transitioned to serving as a chaplain after extensive volunteering, believes that indifference has another cause – people are psychologically exhausted: "The worst thing is when you see that people want to help but can't. They are either tired, lack the means, or see no point."

Communication with like-minded individuals and support from the volunteer community have become key factors that help keep them in the race. "If it weren't for our brothers-in-arms, I would have given up a long time ago," says Anastasia Chubenko, a volunteer from "Vatra".

She emphasizes that psychological support should be an essential part of volunteer assistance, as burnout threatens to deplete the most effective and experienced activists. "We have been working non-stop for three years. But at some point, there may simply be no strength left," she concludes.

Fraudulent volunteers: how they undermine societal trust

One of the key factors contributing to the decline in donor activity is the rise in fraudulent initiatives. Volunteers and charitable foundations that have been operating transparently for years are negatively affected by such schemes.

Alexandra Gayvoronskaya, the director of the development and partnerships department at the "Povernys Zhyvym" fund, notes in a comment to RBK-Ukraine: "We haven't conducted research on the impact of fraudsters, but the echoes of these stories are evident in social media comments. People generalize the activities of all charitable organizations and volunteers, which reduces the level of trust."

The growing distrust forces donors to be more cautious about any fundraising efforts, believes the volunteer "Katran": "People fear that their money might not go to military needs but into the pockets of fraudsters. As a result, all honest initiatives suffer." Consequently, much more effort is required to convince donors of transparency.

The "Povernys Zhyvym" fund is trying to combat this issue through open financial reporting that demonstrates the use of funds. However, this problem remains relevant for the entire charitable sector in Ukraine.

Moreover, aside from the loss of trust, fraud creates another serious problem – increased bureaucratic control.

Due to the activities of fraudsters, honest volunteers are forced to exert more effort to document their activities. Dmitry "Drongo" explains: "Even when a person wants to raise funds for a simple vehicle, they are bombarded with a plethora of requirements: transfer acts, contracts, reports. This not only complicates the process but also takes away time that could be spent on real help."

Mykolaiv volunteer Elena Bondarenko also notes that bureaucracy adds an extra burden for volunteers: "I need the reporting process to be simplified, as the military needs assistance now, not after signing dozens of documents."

Should volunteers receive salaries?

What about the financial support for the volunteers themselves? This question is controversial among Ukrainians. However, considering the physical and emotional loads on representatives of funds, it cannot be overlooked. Some activists are convinced that full support for volunteer activities is only possible if it becomes an official profession with a corresponding salary.

Alexandra Gayvoronskaya explains: "The "Povernys Zhyvym" fund does not take a single penny from donations for the army for its administrative activities – these funds are raised separately: "But in 2024, we lost support from one of the largest donors for administrative costs because the company that funded us faced financial difficulties."

Volunteer Margarita Rivchachenko notes that some activists are forced to work without any material support, spending their own funds: "I would gladly cover part of the fundraising myself if I had a stable income." Alexander, a volunteer from Irpin, also emphasizes that he had to use personal savings to purchase fuel and supplies.

The debate over salaries for volunteers still lacks a clear answer. Some believe that this would enhance the efficiency and stability of volunteer activities, while others are convinced it could lead to abuses. However, volunteers agree that support in the form of government funding or tax benefits could significantly ease their work.

Government steps

Last year, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine began developing a State Program for the Development of Volunteer Activities for the period up to 2030.

The program is being created in collaboration with public organizations, the National Social Service, and experts. This plan, in particular, aims to simplify legal procedures for volunteers.

Challenges arise when volunteering requires a lot of attention but there is no possibility of receiving a salary

According to ministry representatives, the program is also aimed at expanding the areas in which volunteers can work and increasing their motivation through recognition of their contributions.

Additionally, discussions are underway in the ministry about introducing insurance for volunteers working in hazardous conditions, such as in frontline areas. The question of providing tax benefits for volunteers and their organizations, as well as mechanisms for engaging youth in volunteering through educational programs and other incentives, is also being considered.

These steps demonstrate a gradual acknowledgment by the state of the importance of volunteer activities and their significance for Ukrainian society. However, they remain merely a plan that does not yet address the main challenges.

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Volunteering in Ukraine has immense potential, and its development could become a key element of societal resilience in wartime. Elena Bondarenko, who chose to serve in the Armed Forces after volunteering, believes it is important to "elevate the institution of volunteering to a higher level so that the work of volunteers is recognized as necessary and important."

Margarita Rivchachenko adds that attracting new people to volunteering is extremely important, especially considering that many volunteers are transitioning to the ranks of the Armed Forces.