The article deals with residents of multi-dwelling buildings and their ability to have control over common issues and bring about desired changes. As our starting point, we use the conceptual framework of empowerment, which highlights participation and collaboration with others as the main source of power for change. By analysing data from a survey of residents in multi-dwelling buildings in Ljubljana, we explore the level of perceived empowerment among residents as well as their attitudes and resources used in dealing with common issues. Regression analysis found that the perceived level of empowerment was most strongly impacted not by stratification characteristics as the traditional source of power, but by an active, positive attitude to change and successful past experience, thus falling in line with the 'learned hopefulness' hypothesis.
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