Intro

ArmWool – Reviving Armenia’s Wool Heritage

Our Core Story

ArmWool is a movement to revitalize Armenia’s wool value chain from sheep to finished product — blending ancient craftsmanship with modern sustainability and traceability. Born out of the challenges faced by rural shepherds and artisans, our project is not just about wool — it’s about regenerating livelihoods, empowering women, and reclaiming a national tradition that was on the brink of being forgotten. At the heart of our initiative is a spinning center in Amasia, Shirak Province, where women from border communities transform raw wool into high-quality yarn. These threads carry stories of resilience, craftsmanship, and community.

Our Mission

To establish a circular, traceable, and ethical wool value chain in Armenia that: Creates sustainable jobs in rural areas, Revives traditional wool crafts and skills, Promotes environmental responsibility through zero-waste principles, and Connects Armenian wool to global fair trade and designer markets

Our Key Messages

From Field to Fabric: Every step of the wool’s journey — from sheep origin to spinning, dyeing, and weaving — is documented and traceable via blockchain.

Women at the Center: Our project is led by women, empowering women across Armenia through training, employment, and artisan entrepreneurship.

Sustainable by Design: We upcycle waste, use natural dyes, and reinvest in the land, from ethical shearing practices to closed-loop production.

Cultural Revival: Armenian wool and carpets are more than products; they are expressions of identity, artistry, and heritage.

Key Historical and Baseline Highlights

Armenia once had a thriving wool industry, especially in regions like Shirak, Syunik, and Vayots Dzor. Decades of neglect, synthetic imports, and unregulated markets nearly erased it. In 2023–2024, HDIF and partners conducted extensive mapping of Armenia’s wool value chain, identifying over 1,500 tons of wool annually wasted or burned due to a lack of infrastructure. ArmWool introduced the first blockchain-based traceability system in the country’s textile sector, providing digital records of origin, quality, and production. 
In 2024, ArmWool launched a spinning center in Amasia and employed the first 8 women spinners, trained by local and international experts. In 2025, carpets made with ArmWool’s yarn appeared on the Golden Apricot Red Carpet, symbolizing a new chapter in Armenian cultural storytelling.

With Gratitude To

We are proud to collaborate with a diverse ecosystem of partners. With deep thanks to:

- Homeland Development Initiative Foundation (HDIF) – for founding and coordinating the project, securing funding, and anchoring the vision.

- TIFC – for capacity-building and mentoring in spinning and product development.

- Arpi Women's Development Foundation – for community mobilization and supporting women in the Shirak region.

- Robbie Hislop UK– for guidance on ethical shearing and early training efforts.

- Rug Code  - for carpet-making and design innovation

- AHA Collective – for curating meaningful collaborations between artists, spinners, and weavers, and for bridging contemporary art with traditional practices through their residency and cultural programming.

- Armenian, English, and Dutch Experts – for leading shearing, spinning, sorting, and wool washing training.

- H. Hovnanian Family Foundation and  – for generous support in infrastructure, training, and capacity-building.

- Impact Hub Yerevan – Circular Economy Project – for supporting our early-stage development through mentorship, visibility, and integration into Armenia’s growing circular economy ecosystem.

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And to every woman, shepherd, spinner, and artisan who makes this wool story possible, we honor you.

“Sustainably sourced. Transparently traced. Proudly Armenian.”