An enabling clause is a provision in a constitution or statute that gives a government body official authorization to put the statute or constitution into effect. Once the statute or constitution is into place and officially becomes law, then it is enforceable. Enabling clauses essentially serve the purpose of providing official authorization for governing bodies to make certain actions.
An example of an enabling clause would be a provision in a new statute that gives a city council permission to provide $10,000,000.00 for new government building construction projects. In this circumstance, it is the enabling clause that authorizes the city council to appropriate the funds. Without this authorization, the city council would not be free to act. Basically, it is enabling clauses that actually give government official permission to do specific things.