Ukrainian immigrants in Poland maintain a strong connection with their homeland and feel more commitment for it than for Europe. Most participants of in-depth interviews emphasized that after moving to Poland, their positive attitude to Ukraine has not changed or even has grown. Participants were asked to rate their level of commitment on a 10-point scale. The indicator of commitment to Ukraine is 9.5 points, to Europe — 7.9 points.
Despite the positive forecasts for the developments, almost half (53.1%) of relocated Ukrainians in Poland believe that social tension and war fatigue in Ukraine will increase over the next 2 months. At the same time, half that (22.2%) believe that that the negative phenomena will diminish.
Information about the planned events comes mainly through local Polish groups of Ukrainians in social networks (Telegram, Instagram, Viber, and Facebook), reposts of personal acquaintances or directly and visually. For the most part, the groups have come as the initiative of local Ukrainians, much less frequently — they come from official and public organizations (Ukrainian House, Consulate). The biggest obstacle to participating in such events is the lack of time, rather than interest. Some RPs believe that if there were more special events or campaigns (or information about them), they would like to participate, at least from time to time. Respondents emphasized that the main activity is concentrated in large cities (Warsaw, Krakow), and in small towns it is not available or very weak.
In the event when during the stay of the respondents in Poland, Ukraine will be holding national elections, most of the study participants (82%) would like to participate. Compared to the turnout in the last national elections in Ukraine (parliamentary elections in July, 2019), today, respondents are more eager to participate in the elections. Sometimes, the discussion of elections came as a surprise because Ukraine currently has the martial law, and the conduct of elections can only be possible only after the victory. Respondents also have a different interest in voting, depending on the type of election. The priority goes for the presidential election.
Among all respondents, 71% fully or rather trust the electronic form of interaction with authorities, compared to 22% of those who do not trust the format at all. 7% of respondents could not decide on the answer. Regarding the convenience of various forms of participation in the elections, the opinions of potential participants in the elections were divided. 27% of them would like to vote in person, by visiting a polling station in a foreign district in Poland, 28% — prefer digital voting with identity verification. The most common answer was recognizing both forms as equally convenient — 42% of RPs plan to take part in the vote.
More than half of potential election participants (56%) are prepared to spend as much time as it takes. 11% are ready to spend from an hour and a half to 2+ hours; from 1 to 1.5 hours — also 11%, from 30 minutes to 1 hour — 6.5% are ready to spare, and less than half an hour — 9% of respondents.
Such data show that the majority of relocated Ukrainians are interested and motivated to take part in the voting.
The study “Media Consumption and Public Activity of Ukrainian People Who Found Temporary Shelter in Poland” was conducted on the basis of analytical research and commissioned by the All -Ukrainian NGO Civil Network OPORA , with the support of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). The survey was carried out by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology during October , 26 — November , 30, 2022 in the Republic of Poland. The purpose of the study is to identify how and from where the news updates are learnt by Ukrainian people who found temporary shelter from the war in the Republic of Poland after February, 24, 2022. The researchers also examined the extent of respondents' involvement in the political and public life of Ukraine, as well as their interest in it. The study included two parts: a diary online survey of 200 respondents, and 15 in -depth interviews
The initiative is implemented by the Civil Network OPORA with the support of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada, and the UKaid from the British people. Any opinions expressed in this material represent OPORA's position and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada, the Government of Canada, or the Government of the United Kingdom.