The experienced motivation and empowerment of the members of the ITU-project. ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to examine the experienced motivation and empowerment of the target group in ITU project, which is financed by ESF (The European Social Fund) and the city of Lahti and administered by Lahden seudun työttömät registered association. In the theoretical part of this study, motivation and empowerment are analyzed in view of different theories and studies about the subject. That helped to understand the current research atmosphere of motivation and empowerment. It was also interesting to study whether it is possible to have an effect on an individual's motivation and/or empowerment and if so, how. In addition, the experience and analysis of the experience were examined. The empirical data was collected with essays written by the target group. In the essays people were asked to tell about their experiences of the project: what had happened to them during the project, what new skills they felt they had learned, what were the best experiences in the project and what suggestions they had for improving the project. In addition, they were asked to describe experiences of success while participating in the project and during their subsidized employment. The essays were organized into three categories: an impulse for motivation, an experience of empowerment and a bias due to critical attitude. The essays were examined by analysis of the content. Motivation was expressed as getting acknowledgement and encouragement. Also the knowledge, support of the peer group and encouragement of the ITU-project were important. An ADP education, physical examination and fitness condition testing were quoted as empowering experiences. The ITU-project was criticized for difficulty to fit together the activities of the project and work. Lectures were experienced to be boring and repetitive.