Relevant

An empowered partner is relevant. Relevancy consists of community consciousness, openness for local participation, and contextualization. It could be conceived as the opposite of an intervention that is offered to communities and stakeholders on a “take it or leave it” basis.

Contextual

Contextualization in reference to relevancy is a rather broad concept. It encompasses the common connotation of contextualization, that is, cultural awareness and adaptation of interventions to fit the surrounding cultural setting. This comprises the idea of utilizing culturally sound and acceptable techniques. In addition, contextualization was considered to encompass the usage of available resources. The idea is close to the idea related to independency in that the interventions are planned at a level that can be sustained by the community. In short, a contextualized partner considers local realities and plans interventions to in line with these realities.

Community Conscious

Community consciousness refers to the ability to see beyond a small segment of a society, organization, or a group. It suggests that an empowered partner is present in the life of a community in a real, integrated, way. An empowered partner does not hide

behind paper work and in offices but senses the heart-beat of the community it works with. Being present in the community enables the partner to detect real needs in it and to respond in a relevant manner. A respondent wrote:

Mainly, our partners consist of small communities that normally think of reaching out to small groups or a narrow sector. It is a totally new idea to reach out to the community starting from its leaders and then working down to the community as a whole. In what comes to working with the officials, to go away from papers to a practical level is, in a similar way, revolutionary. (D3Q1)⁶³

Participation Friendly

Participation was also seen pertinent to an empowered partner. To be more specific, an empowered partner welcomes the participation of the target groups and stakeholders.

To welcome participation, was also seen as willingness to be advised and to learn from the beneficiaries and stakeholders. Interestingly, the idea of welcoming participation occurred only once in the responses collected during the first Delphi round. This could suggest that the element of participation was not deemed as a crucial factor in empowerment. On the other hand, participation is one of the most common ideas and themes in development practice. Therefore, it might be that the idea of participation was taken for granted. Also, it could be that the respondents think of it as a separate entity or a technique that is not normally thought of in the context of empowerment.

Holistic

During the second Delphi round the experts suggested that a fourth factor be added to contribute to relevancy – holistic world view. This suggestion probably arises from the research context. The bulk of empirical data was collected from Fida International’s partners that are Faith Based Organizations. Recently, the meaning of holism to FBOs and mission organizations such as Fida International has been revisited by for example by Arto Hämäläinen, the Executive Director of Fida International, in his dissertation (2005). Hämäläinen reminds his readers of the importance of holistic mission work.

By this he means that Christian mission organizations have the duty to go beyond mere preaching and teaching to address the needs of the whole person. Hämäläinen suggests

63Translated by the researcher: Kumppanit ovat pääasiassa pieniä yhteisöjä, joiden ajattelumalli lähtee usein pienen ryhmän tavoittamisesta tai jonkun sektorin kohtaamisesta. Koko yhteisön kohtaaminen lähtien yhteisön johtajista on uusi näkökulma. Viranomaisyhteistyössä käytännön tasolle meno pois papereista on samalla tavalla mullistava.

that mission organizations should address the following aspects of human existence:

spiritual, physical, emotional, economical, social, and societal (2005, 310). Therefore, the experts of the second Delphi round are probably justified in their remark. If Faith Based Organizations concentrate on the spiritual at the expense of the emotional, intellectual, and social needs of humanity, they are in danger to become irrelevant to the operational environment. In addition, if Faith Based Organizations engage in too naïve mercy missions, more harm than good might be done. Faith based development work, to be relevant and sound, should be based on careful theological and philosophical reflection.

Theoretical Reflections on Relevancy

Community consciousness, openness to local participation, contextualization, and holism that constitute relevancy are themes that occur frequently in empowerment literature. Contextualization, in this case, refers to cultural awareness, and adaptation of development interventions to cultural environment. In addition, it encompasses the idea of utilizing available resources. The latter idea of utilizing available resources as constituting an aspect of empowerment has been explicitly addressed by a number of researchers (e.g., Fetterman et al. 1996; Gutiérrez et al. 1998; Nayaran 2002). It means that empowered entities actively seek ways and means to multiply what is available to them. Therefore, the human and material resources are sustainable from the start. When experience is gathered and a level of confidence has developed, empowered entities can make effective use of the external resources as well.

The linkage between empowerment theories and the ideas of cultural awareness and adapting implementation to the cultural context may be concepts that are not that easy to link to existing empowerment theories. However, for example, Zimmerman (1995) proposes that for individuals, it is very important to understand how systems work in order to empower them. The suggestion is made in a larger context of institutions and societal systems. Yet, the idea is the same on a more local level. If interventions do not appreciate the cultural context and apply acceptable techniques, the beneficiaries are less likely to understand and adopt them. If something is not understood, it may affect self-efficacy beliefs negatively and reduce motivation (Bandura 1997; Koberg et al.

1999).

There are also theoretical antecedents to suggest that openness to participation can be justified as an ingredient of an empowered organization. A number of empowerment theorists suggest that a substantial part of empowerment is that individuals can participate in decisions affecting them (e.g., Argyris 1998; Kuokkanen 2003; Rappaport 1981; Spreitzer et al. 1999; Thomas & Velthouse 1990; Zimmerman 1995).

Participation increases understanding and consequently psychological ownership.

Heikkilä and Heikkilä (2005) propose that an empowered organization is never established. It is open to change and as a result ever changing. It changes to serve its purpose. An organization draws its justification for it existence from the community around. It can and will change in line with the changes in its environment.

Community consciousness can also be linked to empowerment theories. Kuokkanen (2003) sees an empowered nurse as actively involved in his or her work place – working community. She also speaks of social responsibility and the ability to be a constructive member at the work place. In accord with her suggestions, an organization should be an active member of the community and be concerned about the affairs of the community.

In fact, a significant number of treatises have been written on the communal aspects of empowerment. The texts relate to oppression, poverty, and lack of influence that should be addressed collectively as communities or groups (Adams 1996; Eklund 1999;

Gutiérrez et al. 1998). Such treatises assume that communities have needs. A need can be an empowerment trigger. Empowerment can take place when a community seeks a solution to a genuine problem or injustice (e.g., Freire 1970).

How the idea of being holistic contributes to empowerment might be quite difficult to grasp. By holism in this context, we mean the approach of Faith Based Organizations to development. Being holistic and understanding holism can boost empowerment through having the right information, understanding the underlying principles of the organization and practices, and increase the sense of competency. In other words, FBOs must understand their theological foundations for development work properly, otherwise they engage in the work half-heartedly. Deep self-understanding and the consequent sense of purpose and feeling of competence have been judged by researchers as being elements of empowerment (e.g., Beairsto 2000; Beairsto &

Ruohotie 2003; Fetterman 2001; Fetterman et al. 1996; Gutierréz et al. 1998;

Kuokkanen 2003; Siitonen 1999). In the organizational context of FBOs, proper

understanding of holism may increase the level of empowerment also by enabling such organizations to be more relevant. If they evolve around the more spiritual aspects of their operations at the expense of the mundane, they are in danger of becoming irrelevant.

4.2.1.3 Networked

The idea of networking offers a healthy balancing factor to the idea of autonomy and independency that were used to characterize an empowered entity. Yet, networking is not just a light and naïve word that is “in” in the development circles. It means a positive interdependency as individuals and organizations on other players. To be able to be genuinely interdependent demands a developed identity.

Interdependent

In relation to autonomy, a reference was made to positive notions of independency that characterize an empowered partner. However, only qualified independency is possible and constructive. An empowerment partner is positively dependent on a network of individuals and organizations. In eight out of nine (8/9) responses of the Delphi experts, interdependency was mentioned. The frequency is the same as that of independency.

Interdependency was suggested to mean that an entity in a partnership, whether an individual, organization, or community, both benefits from the other partner and benefits the same. Interdependency can be understood as a quality to work in partnerships without creating negative dependency on the other. In such cases, external resources are seen as additional assets that are not essential to carry out the core functions. Each of the partners can take independent decisions and actions. On the other hand, they can also negotiate as equals. In an interdependent partnership, it is crucial that the partners form a collaborative relationship based on mutual values and common goals. Neither of the partners can impose these on the other. One of the respondents put it as follows: “The community has deliberately determined its own strategy. It knows its identity, resources, and context. Based on these factors, it can make independent decisions related to its activities. The community can also determine with whom it cooperates and on which principles the cooperation is based”.⁶⁴ Clarified

64 D8Q1. Translated by the researcher: Yhteisö on itse määrittänyt oman strategiansa, tuntee oman identiteettiinsä ja voimavaransa ja toimintaympäristönsä ja niiden pohjalta tekee itsenäisesti päätöksensä

identity, goal orientation, and values seem to be the building blocks of a healthy interdependence. Another respondent helps to understand the substance of positive interdependency further.

An empowered partner is able to make independent decisions in relation to its work, make plans, and implement its activities so that is not dependent on external help in its core functions. This applies to an ideal situation where the partner is fully empowered. This, by no means, means that the partner could not receive external support. However, the purpose of external help, such as training etc., is not to “sustain” the partner but to expand the scope of work of the partner strategically without creating dependency. Therefore, instead of using the term “empowered partner”, I could use the term “independent partner”. In other words, the core functions are not dependent on external assistance. I base my arguments on some partners of Fida that do not need Fida to carry out their core functions but to expand their scope of operations into new territories. In principle, Fida is independent, but with the help of external assistance and training, it is able to expand and strengthen its operations. (D9Q1)⁶⁵

Developed Identity

The experts of the second Delphi round suggested that in relation to relevance, the factor of a developed identity should be added. To the researcher, the addition could be made to the category of autonomy as well. However, in relation to autonomy, strong identity will make little or no contribution since autonomy could be presumed to include the idea of an established identity inherently. But, if considered in the context of interdependency, the concept of strong identity would make a more significant contribution. A partner with an underdeveloped identity will be quite easily subordinated to the stronger partner and therefore less capable to form meaningful partnerships as described, for example, in answers D9Q1 and D8Q1 mentioned above.

omasta toiminnastaan. Yhteisö myös osaa tehdä omista lähtökohdistaan päätökset siitä kenen kanssa se tekee yhteistyötä ja millä periaatteilla.

65 Translated by the researcher: Voimaantunut kumppani on kykenevä itsenäisesti tekemään omaa työtään koskevia päätöksiä, suunnitelmia ja toteuttamaan työtänsä niin ettei se ole perustoiminnassaan

riippuvainen ulkoa tulevasta avusta. Tämä siis ideaalitilanteessa eli kun voimaantuminen on täydellistä.

Tämä si suinkaan tarkoita sitä etteikö se voisi ottaa vastaan tukea ulkoa. Ulkoa tulevan tuen, koulutuksen jne. tarkoitus ei kuitenkaan voi olla kumppanin ”ylläpitäminen” vaan kumppanin työn laajentaminen suunnitellusti luomatta riippuvaisuutta. Voisin jopa käyttää ”voimaantunut kumppani” sijasta termiä

”itsenäinen kumppani”. Eli kumppanin perustoiminnot eivät riipu ulkoa tulevasta panoksesta. Perustelen tämän joillakin Fidan kumppaneille jotka eivät tarvitse Fidaa perustehtäväänsä vaan laajentamaan toimintaansa uusille alueille. Periaatteessa Fidakin on itsenäinen, mutta ulkoa tulevan rahoituksen ja koulutuksen avulla se pystyy laajentamaan ja vahvistamaan toimintaansa.

Therefore, to add developed identity as an ingredient contributing to interdependency can be justified.

Theoretical Reflections on Networking

In light of current empowerment theories, the factor of networking could be reflected upon from a number of points of views. For example, one of the ideas that came out in the data analysis is that institutions, organizations, legislation, and other such instruments may become or be conceived as oppressive rather than emancipative (Adams 1996; Freire 1970). In this case the organization or an individual is a part of wider network that creates harmful dependency, not interdependency. This happens if the poor or any other groups or individuals become too dependent on external factors such as social services. The representative of power, capital, or any other instrument of influence may exercise inhibiting control over the other, rather than to serve the other.

Networking assumes the maintenance of such a degree of equality and identity that a mutual relationship that benefits all parties can exist. This could be addressed as positive interdependency. Such ideas have been implicitly, if not explicitly, attached to empowerment by a number of authorities on the field (Freire 1970; Parsons 1998;

Rappaport 1981; Zimmerman 1995). Interdependency in a network relates to values as well. If a person can work in a context or an organization that cooperates with others in such circumstances and under such conditions that they are able to maintain their values, feelings of empowerment are more likely to be generated than in circumstances where this is not the case (Kuokkanen 2003; Thomas & Velthouse 1990).

Networking, as defined in this study, has also links to the social dimensions of empowerment. Networking presumes abilities of collaboration, understanding one’s role in the whole, ability to draw from others and contribute to the community, ability to stand criticism and to deliver constructive criticism, and social accountability.

Networking, therefore, sees empowerment in its social dimension. In line with these ideas, Siitonen (1999) characterizes empowerment as a social process. Similarly, other researchers relate empowerment to abilities to act constructively in a social context, use it in a positive way, contribute to it, and beliefs of how one can operate in it (Argyris 1998; Fetterman et al. 1999; Kuokkanen 2003; Heikkilä & Heikkilä 2005; Herrenkohl et al. 1999; Zimmerman 1995).

Another component of networking was suggested to be a developed identity. In this research context, a developed or strong identity refers to the ability to make independent decisions and not to be suppressed by others in terms of initiating or controlling action.

Such a definition and its relevance to empowerment have been established in the paragraphs above. However, although it is not the task of this study to establish the meaning or definition of identity, it is in order to point out some processes that have been suggested to contribute to empowerment and can be related to identity and its development. Part of identity is how one perceives oneself in relation to the environment and how one perceives the environment to influence oneself/itself. To an extent, this applies both to an individual and a collective (organization, institution, community, etc.). Beliefs about one’s ability and opportunity in a given relationship or an organizational context relate to motivation, self-efficacy beliefs, self-authorization, and other such areas of academic inquiry. Therefore, there is justification to apply the findings of such inquiries to the understanding of factors contributing to empowerment.

Such attempts have been made by, for example, Beairsto (2000), Beairsto and Ruohotie (2000), Parsons (1998), Ruohotie (2000), Siitonen (1999), and Zimmerman (1995). The present data confirms that such inquiries are indeed relevant to the understanding of the concept of empowerment.

4.2.1.4 Capable

An empowered organization is also recognized by its capacity. Capacity in this context was related to equipping, information, and resources. Some of these factors could be justifiably tossed over to another category without doing any injustice to the data.

However, it is enough to note that, for example, resources could be treated under the categories of autonomy or interdependency quite plausibly.

Equipped

An equipped partner in the context of empowerment is one that has adequate training in terms of the core skills needed for implementation of activities in question. Training and relevant knowledge results in ability to plan and implement, in this case, development activities. This feature has been recognized, for example, by Fida as a crucial aspect of its operations. However, seldom, if ever, such activities are consciously inbuilt in development intervention plans.

Informed

Information, in turn, was seen as a means to sustain a partnership. The partner can access relevant information that is needed in carrying out the common task. Sharing relevant information and networking seems to have a connotation of transparency attached to it. Technical knowledge, in terms of conditions of partnership, grant applications, reporting systems, Ministry for Foreign Affairs policies, Fida policies, and so on also fall into this category. Sharing of such knowledge can contribute to the equality of the partners and thus enhance partnerships. The partners called for an increased transparency in this regard.

Resourced

An empowered partner has human and financial resources available for what it can and will bring to the partnership. An empowered partner is also able to assess these resources and make plans considering the amount of resources available. A respondent depicted a resourced partner as: “He is able and willing to take the responsibility and initiate to organize, manage and motivate members to action, and commit available human and economic resources to reach objectives.”⁶⁶ In the Action Research Seminars these notions were frequently presented in opposition to planning in light of the capacity of the financially or otherwise more resourceful partner.

Theoretical Reflections on Capability

The components of capacity or capability that were judged by the experts to relate to empowerment were being equipped, informed, and resourced. Being equipped has to do with sufficient training in core skills related to implementation of interventions. As

The components of capacity or capability that were judged by the experts to relate to empowerment were being equipped, informed, and resourced. Being equipped has to do with sufficient training in core skills related to implementation of interventions. As