The purpose of this study is to review the concept and the practice of empowerment. It attracts attention how important to involve the citizens and the local communities to the decisions of their own circumstainses. On the basis of the recources, the hungarian society stuggle in deep distrust in a democtaric institutions, so the NGOs and the civil movements have a responsibilty and possibilities to change this attitude and the community development could play a lead role in this process.