The focus on empowerment as the main aim of development represents social change rather than mere economic growth. The empowerment approach to development places the emphasis on autonomy in local community decision-making, local self-reliance, and experiential social learning. The approach focuses on people's empowerment - their collective empowerment.
Empowerment is another overused buzz word, which has led to misuse of the term. In general terms empowerment is seen as:
a long-term process through which people's sense of personal efficacy/self-esteem becomes strong enough for their successful participation in, share in the control of, and influence of events and institutions which affect their lives. This is aided by the acquisition of skills and knowledge.
Empowerment occurs through praxis as a circular relationship of participation and reflection by which participation stimulates new understandings, which then provoke new and more effective actions. In this way participation and involvement generate insight which, in turn, promotes a more knowing participation. The accumulation of skills progresses only through repetition of cycles of action and reflection - experience and participation are then at the core of the empowerment process. The knowledge, skills and commitments of empowerment are gained primarily through action and participation within a supportive environment, demonstrating a democratic, empowering group process.
The empowerment of individuals, given the right situation, can lead to social change at the community level. This process is hastened by empowerment at the group level.