Authors

Discussion

This paper examines the emerging Ukrainian diaspora and transnationalism, with a particular focus on youth in the UK, Germany, and Poland. We explore the hopes and visions for Ukraine's future among displaced youth, and how their current experiences abroad shape their views on the desirable political and social directions for the country. The research project underpinning this paper adopts a participatory approach, involving young community researchers who have fled Ukraine since 2022. The study is grounded in theories of youth geographies (Kraftl, 2008), feminist geographies of emotions, the political remittances framework, and the role of intersectionality in displaced lived experiences (Kuznetsova & Mikheieva, 2020). Additionally, the project employs an agency-based approach to understanding coping mechanisms and decision-making processes.

We highlight the intersectional nature of transnationalism, particularly as young women in Poland and Germany engage in family, volunteering, and educational activities linked to Ukraine. We argue that, while transnationalism is emerging, it has yet to establish clear pathways for contributions to Ukraine’s recovery. This is due to a lack of strategic engagement with diasporas in recovery policies, emotional divisions between those who emigrated and those who remained, and the diverse, mobile lived experiences shaped by geopolitical uncertainty and evolving national policies.