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COLLECTIVE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AND EMERGING FORMS OF SOCIAL RESILIENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UKRAINIAN REFUGEE CRISIS IN BRA?OV
Abstract
This article explores collective adaptation strategies and emerging forms of social resilience among Ukrainian refugees settled in Bra?ov, Romania. In the context of the war in Ukraine and the resulting humanitarian crisis, the study adopts a real-time sociological approach, focusing on how displaced individuals self-organize, support one another, and develop informal networks of solidarity. Through a mixed-method design, data was collected via structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups with adult Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Bra?ov after 2022. Additionally, for control and comparison purposes, the same instruments were used to collect data in another refugee-hosting center—Budapest (Hungary)—although the comparative analysis is not part of this material. The study identifies the main elements of emerging social resilience: mutual aid practices, spontaneous community initiatives, and emotional support networks. The results show that collective forms of adaptation play an essential role in compensating for institutional limitations and strengthening the sense of safety and belonging. The article contributes meaningfully to the sociological literature by documenting refugee integration dynamics beyond formal systems, offering insights into resilience mechanisms generated by crisis-affected communities. It also proposes a conceptual framework for understanding "collective resilience" as both a process and an outcome of shared experience, solidarity, and local interaction. The conclusions highlight the importance of recognizing and supporting community-based practices in refugee policies and urban planning in host states.
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