I understand the first three assumptions of the empowerment approach, but what is the fourth principle -empowerment is a process and an outcome- mean?

No problem.

Thank you for the detailed explanation.

Empowerment work, or the process of individuals, groups, or communities gaining power and control over their lives, leads to an end goal of being empowered and having the necessary strengths, resources, power, and control to grow and develop. This end
goal is ultimately achieved through social change and justice. In this sense, empowerment is not just something that you do, nor is it just something that you work towards, but rather empowerment is a process and an outcome. The empowerment approach is a developmental process that can begin with the individual yet seeks to end with social change that prohibits future oppression and enables individuals to access resources and hold power and control over their lives.