Power ? a Matter of Give or Take? A Minor Field Study of the Empowerment Work of Bangladeshi NGOs

Abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to examine the empowerment potential of non-member based development NGOs. I argue that there is a need to be more aware of the underlying concept of power when talking about empowerment to this end a framework for analysis, identifying different kinds of power is developed. The method used is a qualitative field study located in Bangladesh. Two organisations that conduct empowerment work with the poor are the objects of study. The material is collected through observation and qualitative interviews in the field. Documents such as project proposals and the organisations? information material are also used. The results show that there is potential for empowerment. However it is ambiguous and contingent upon the relationship between the beneficiaries and the organisation which is also a relationship of power.