Since February 2022, a monumental surge in self-organized citizen initiatives has emerged in Ukraine. These horizontal networks provide critical services outside of the state and NGOs. Approximately 80% of Ukrainians have participated in such activities since the invasion began—engaging in various ways, from frontline logistics and medical aid to local neighborhood defense and communal kitchens. These actions are part of a history of anti-authoritarian collective organization in Ukraine, from the non-hierarchical urbanism of Trypillia culture to the stateless autonomy of the Makhno Republic. We are an independent, unfunded initiative documenting this movement in real-time.
We have conducted over 150 in-depth interviews with grassroots participants, activists, sociologists, historians, and philosophers. As the Russian Federation continues its systematic attacks on the Ukrainian energy grid, work in Kyiv has become a battle against infrastructure collapse. Frequent and prolonged electricity and heating cuts during deep sub-zero temperatures threaten our work.
To sustain ourselves and continue with the project, we are seeking funds to purchase a high-capacity portable charging station (approx. US $2,270). As the situation continues to get worse, we also would like to get a portable solar panel (approx. $878,23).
Your support helps ensure this important moment in the long history of Ukrainian self-organization is not lost to the darkness of the current war.
Here are a few examples of our work-in-progress: