The Capacity Building and Community Empowerment program was established in 2002, to harmonies the training and capacity building activities carried out by the Church. The Advocacy, Training, and Literature & Communication departments form part of this program. A fourth department, responsible for planning and programming will soon be established.

The expansion of the assets and capabilities of poor people, so that they can participate in, negotiate with, control and hold accountable the institutions that affect their lives.  Successful efforts to empower poor people, increasing their freedom of choice and action in different contexts often share four elements;

• Access to information.  Informed citizens are better equipped to take advantage of opportunities, access services, exercise their rights and hold accountable the institutions that affect their lives. 

• Inclusion and participation.  Poor people should be treated as co-producers, and authority and control over decisions and resources should be developed to the lowest appropriate level.. 

• Accountability.  State officials, public employees, private providers, employers and politicians must be held to account, making them answerable for their policies and actions that affect the well-being of citizens.

• Local organizational capacity.  This refers to the ability of people to work together, organize themselves, and mobilize resources to solve problems of common interest.  Organized groups and communities are more likely to have their voices heard and their demands met.

• Using Bible Schools as Catalysts.  There are currently more than 250 EKHC Bible Schools, and these have a strategic position between higher level institutions and grassroots communities.  We will therefore give special consideration to Bible Schools, working closely with them so as to bring about sustainable transformation in local communities.

• Skills Development.  Training will be accompanied by development of appropriate practical skills such as project planning, soil & water conservation, agriculture, etc.