About Us

The Homeland Development Initiative Foundation (HDIF) was founded in 2010 with a mission to promote financial stability and sustainable economic growth in Armenia, particularly by creating dignified job opportunities for women in rural communities. As the only Armenian member of the World Fair Trade Organisation, HDIF applies an "aid-for-trade" model to ensure that social impact and economic empowerment go hand in hand. Over the years, HDIF has worked with artisans across the country, combining traditional skills with global market access, capacity-building, and traceability.

With the Arm Wool Project, HDIF has taken a bold step toward revitalising one of Armenia’s most underused natural resources. By mapping the national wool value chain, launching a spinning centre in Amasia, and creating jobs for women in border communities, the project is transforming waste into economic opportunity. From shepherding to spinning, natural dyeing, and carpet weaving, HDIF’s work ensures every strand of wool tells a story of heritage, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

The Homeland Development Initiative Foundation (HDIF), aligned with the principles of the World Fair Trade Organisation, ensured that all production under this project followed recognised Fair Trade practices

“In every fibre of this wool lives a story of land, hands, and heritage.”

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Our Team

Ani Mkrtchyan is a sustainability-focused project manager and social entrepreneur based in Armenia, with over a decade of experience in environmental education, circular economy, and women’s economic empowerment. She is the co-founder of OmniPonics and Petoor, and currently leads strategic initiatives at HDIF to revitalize Armenia’s wool industry and promote rural livelihoods. Ani holds degrees in Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development from Oslo State University and Yerevan State University.

Meri Petrosyan with a strong commitment to efficiency and teamwork, has been an integral part of HDIF Armenia, ensuring smooth day-to-day office operations and reliable financial management. Her organizational skills, attention to detail, and dedication help keep the team focused on empowering local communities and promoting sustainable development in Armenia.

Tim Straight was born in Cleveland, Ohio. An eternal believer in the future of Armenia, Tim has lived in Yerevan since September of 2000. He is the honorary consul of both Finland and Norway in Armenia. Reporting regularly to Helsinki and Oslo about poverty, emigration, unemployment, domestic violence, and stunting in children, Tim decided in 2010 to create an organization that focuses on the creation of viable employment of women, mostly in the regions of Armenia. Today, the Homeland Development Initiative Foundation provides an income to hundreds of women across the country, designing and marketing products based on their traditional skills – crocheting, knitting, sewing, embroidery, illumination painting, and more.  Tim’s latest and most ambitious effort is the Armenian Sheep’s Wool Value Chain Enhancement Project, started in 2024.

Narine Abgaryan
Qnarik Hakobyan