Community psychologists have recently been concerned with developing the theoretical underpinnings of their field. The concept of empowerment has been proposed as a phenomenon of interest to community psychologists and has since become an important focus within this branch of psychology.As detailed in the first chapter of the dissertation, a small number of studies have aimed to advance empowerment theory by defining and explicating its essential components, and by determining which ecological factors sustain its development. The present research also focused on contributing to the theory of empowerment. Accordingly, an operational definition of empowerment with four components was developed as a basis for action research. These components include the following: A perception of self-efficacy and competence; the acquisition of knowledge, skills and access to resources; the development of a critical consciousness; participation in concerted action.The dissertation includes three studies. First, a pilot study documenting the early outcome of a community economic development (CED) intermediary organization initiated by a cross-cultural coalition of grass-roots groups. The organization was created in response to the economic needs of target groups including immigrants and refugees, single parents, the young unemployed and persons receiving social assistance. A qualitative methodology was used to explore the psychosocial impact of participation in the organization. The forty-two participants responses were analyzed inductively to extract themes connected with the operational definition of empowerment as outlined above, and with four ecological dimensions that have been found to promote empowerment. The themes brought up by participants were detailed. Study results were used to outline the organizations impact and in program planning with stakeholder groups.The second study outlines the design, implementation and utilization of results process of a participatory evaluation (PE) of the CED organization that took place approximately eighteen months after the first study. PE is a technique that involves an organizations stakeholders in decision making about all aspects of the evaluation. The evaluators role is to facilitate the process and give advice about technical matters. This approach reflects current changes in the practice of evaluation which foster the empowerment of stakeholders by centering an evaluation on their issues of concern and promoting the utilization of results in program planning.The third study reports some results of the PE concerning one of the organizations programs. This programs function was to build coalitions of community service groups to promote, create and manage joint CED projects in their neighbourhood. Successful projects included developing an association of collective kitchens and food buying groups to search for funding and plan joint endeavours. Twenty individuals from thirteen organizations participated by responding to eleven open-ended questions regarding their familiarity with the CED organizations objectives and services as well as their expectations and appraisals of the organizations programs.The results of these three studies concerning the concept of empowerment, the dimensions of an empowering environment and the evaluation of CED intermediary organizations, are discussed conjointly in the last chapter of the dissertation. The limitations of the methodology employed in the three studies are outlined with suggestions for future research.