Purpose: The purpose of the current research is to study the empowerment of vulnerable groups in the border areas (case study: Kermanshah and Kurdistan provinces).
Method: The method of conducting this research is qualitative and the desired data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. To analyze the research field, thematic analysis method was used.
Findings: The findings of the research showed that the lack of spatial and territorial justice in the border areas of the studied provinces has led to the lack of economic and social empowerment of the border residents. In general, the findings of this research showed that the residents of the border areas of the studied areas had contradictory views and attitudes towards empowerment programs. the local elites pointed to issues such as "instability of executive programs, state-oriented empowerment, abstract empowerment, non-participation of elites in empowerment programs and unbalanced empowerment", each of which is a part of specific issues of programs and policies. It explains empowerment. The findings of this study also showed that in total, the respondents considered factors such as "using alternative capacities in border areas, promoting entrepreneurship, choosing the right people, targeted media campaigns and creating economic infrastructure" as the most important. The empowerment factors of the vulnerable groups were mentioned.
Conclusion: the results of this research showed that, in general, in order to empower the vulnerable sections of Kermanshah and Kurdistan provinces, components such as "social empowerment, economic empowerment, and institutionalization of empowerment culture" should be considered. community-oriented empowerment and localization of empowerment" paid attention.