Solidarity as a catalyst for political change: the role of civic movements in Central and Eastern Europe

The famous gate to the Lenin Shipyards in Gdańsk. Today it leads to the European Solidarity Center. Photo: Shutterstock

“There is no freedom without solidarity.”
— Motto of the Polish Solidarity movement

It did not begin with grand speeches or military power — but with workers standing together in a shipyard. It was not in grand speeches or fiery declarations, but in the simple act of workers locking arms that the winds of change began to blow across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). In August 1980, deep in the heart of communist Poland, a shipyard in Gdańsk became the epicentre of a quiet revolution — one that would ultimately challenge an entire system of government. Here, a group of ordinary people, workers in their overalls, took a stand not just for fair wages but for human dignity, freedom, and a voice in their future. What started as a strike in the Lenin Shipyard would grow into Solidarity (Solidarność) — a trade union that would transcend labour rights and spark the political rebirth of a continent.

The roots of resistance: a spark in the darkness

CEE in the 20th century was a place where fear and oppression were woven into the fabric of daily life. Political expression was suffocated, dissent was met with force, and the idea of democratic change seemed as distant as the stars. For most, it was not even a dream, but a fantasy — an abstract concept in a world where surveillance, censorship, and totalitarian control ruled the land.

But in this climate, something extraordinary happened. A group of workers in Gdańsk, Poland, decided that they had had enough. Solidarity was born from their frustration and desperation, but it also emerged from something far deeper — a yearning for dignity, freedom, and self-respect. Led by figures like Lech Wałęsa, Solidarity swelled into a movement that would eventually encompass millions of Polish citizens, united in their resolve to challenge an authoritarian regime.

This was not a typical labour movement — it was a cultural awakening, an assertion of individual rights in a society that had long been denied them. Solidarity did not rely on violence or conflict; it leaned on the raw, unshakable power of unity. At its height, Solidarity had nearly ten million members — nearly a quarter of Poland’s population — and in this collective power lay the seeds of political transformation. Even when martial law in Poland was declared, even as the regime tried to suffocate it with arrests and propaganda, Solidarity endured.

This was the genesis of a new kind of political consciousness, one rooted in cooperation, mutual respect, and a vision of a better future. Solidarity was not merely about improving wages — it was about reclaiming agency and asserting that people, when united, could reshape their destiny.

The ripple effect: a spark across Central and Eastern Europe

The remarkable thing about Solidarity was its ripple effect. It was not confined to Poland. Its courage spread like wildfire, sparking movements in other corners of CEE. People began to see the impossible as possible. In Czechoslovakia, the Velvet Revolution unfolded as masses poured into the streets, united by the same ideals of freedom and democracy. In East Germany, people filled the streets of Leipzig, chanting for their rights, until the Berlin Wall — that towering symbol of division — was torn down.

These movements had much in common: they were grassroots, non-violent, and driven by the same spirit of resilience and determination. At their core was the belief that ordinary citizens, when united, could topple even the most entrenched regimes. The lesson was clear: solidarity was not just a force for labour — it was a force for political change, a way to reclaim democracy and freedom.

New challenges, new movements: the power of civic engagement in a changing world

As CEE moved into the 1990s, the transition to democracy brought with it both hope and disillusionment. The fall of communism was a victory, but the path to genuine democracy was not always smooth. Corruption, economic instability, and political apathy soon took root in many countries, leaving citizens once again disillusioned by the political process.

Yet, even in this uncertain landscape, the power of solidarity persisted and evolved. In the 2000s and 2010s, new movements emerged — still grounded in the principles of collective action and public accountability but responding to new challenges. These movements proved that solidarity was not just a force of the past; it was alive and adapting to the realities of the modern world.

In Ukraine, the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Euromaidan protests of 2013-14 revealed the deep-seated desire of citizens to resist corruption and demand a future that was more aligned with European democratic values. These were not one-off events, but part of a broader political awakening, showing that the spirit of resistance was still alive and well.

In Slovakia, when the investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée were murdered in 2018, the largest protests since the fall of communism were sparked in the streets. What began as grief turned into a mass mobilization, with citizens demanding transparency and accountability from their leaders. The murder became a tragic catalyst for change, demonstrating once again that the power of solidarity was an unstoppable force in the region.

Digital solidarity: activism in the 21st century

The rise of digital activism has transformed how solidarity movements operate. In the 21st century, protests are not just planned in town squares; they are organized online, where social media, encrypted messaging apps, and crowdfunding platforms allow activists to connect and mobilize on an unprecedented scale.

However, this digital age brings both opportunity and challenge. While new technologies allow for swift, global solidarity, they also provide governments with powerful tools for surveillance and censorship. Misinformation, cyber-attacks, and state-sponsored manipulation have become a key part of the modern struggle for freedom. But the digital age also amplifies the power of grassroots movements, giving them the ability to organize quickly and reach beyond national borders.

Whether in Belarus, Russia or Hungary, the digital tools of resistance are empowering new generations to challenge governments, transcend borders, and mobilize for justice. The spirit of solidarity is alive and well, finding new channels and new ways to connect people with the same goal: to create a better future.

Cross-border solidarity: a unified vision for the future

Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of CEE’s civic movements is their cross-border resonance. The sense of solidarity is no longer confined to national boundaries; it is a transnational force, shared among countries that have faced similar struggles. Activists in Serbia, Georgia and Ukraine are in constant dialogue, sharing strategies, tactics and lessons learned from one another. The movements across these nations are interconnected, not just by political realities, but by a shared vision of democracy, freedom and the rule of law.

The most compelling example of this regional solidarity came with the outpouring of support for Ukraine in 2022, following Russia’s invasion. Across CEE, people opened their homes to refugees, organized fundraisers, and helped supply food, medicine and clothing to those in need. Solidarity, once again, proved that it was not governments or politicians who were first to act — it was the people.

The enduring power of unity

At its core, solidarity is about recognizing that individual struggles are collective struggles. It is about knowing that we are stronger together. The great lesson of CEE’s civic movements is that unity — whether in a shipyard, a protest or online — can reshape the world.

From the Gdańsk shipyards to the streets of Kyiv, Prague and Minsk, the legacy of Solidarity is not just about political victory — it is about the quiet, unstoppable power of people coming together in pursuit of a better future. In an era where democracy and freedom are under threat in various parts of the world, the example of CEE’s movements reminds us that no matter the obstacles, when we stand together, we can overcome anything.

The strength of a people lies not in their silence, but in their unity. And as long as that unity persists, so too will the hope for a more just and democratic world.

This text was prepared in the framework of the 2024/2025 edition of the Solidarity Academy, an international project of the European Solidarity Centre, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Warsaw, and New Eastern Europe. The project aims to inspire and support the development of young leaders across Europe.

Kateryna Fadieieva is an International Relations student at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. She was a participant of the 2024/2025 edition of the Solidarity Academy.

New Eastern Europe is a reader supported publication. Please support us and help us reach our goal of $10,000! We are nearly there. Donate by clicking on the button below.

protest movement, Solidarity