HDIF Joins the International Chamber of Commerce

 

HDIF is excited to have recently joined the International Chamber of Commerce's Armenian Branch (ICC Armenia). The aim is to cooperate with Armenian enterprises under the umbrella of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The growing roster of our local clients, which now includes the Armenian Genocide Museum (see below), is a testament to the appeal of HDIF's handcrafted products both in Armenia and around the world. HDIF's membership will allow it to foster meaningful business partnerships wtih Armenian companies.  HDIF Founder and Executive Director Tim Straight will be serving on the Entrepreneurship and SMEs (Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) Committee, while HDIF's local sales representative, Armen Yeroyan, will serve on the Marketing and Advertising Committee.  This alliance may also be a gateway into building new relationships with other ICC member nations and SME participants.  HDIF and Impact Hub Yerevan Board Member Nazareth Seferian introduced the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to ICC Armenia. Under his experienced guidance, ICC Armenia has crafted a CSR policy to inspire businesses to integrate social and environmental concerns into their operations and client interactions, going beyond mere profit-making.    "A part of my work is to raise the profile of CSR in Armenia. Companies can contribute in all sorts of ways by tackling issues that have a direct and indirect impact on their bottom line.  For HDIF, this is a strategy to increase local sales.  We can appeal to companies with CSR policies, and simply by buying our products, they are making a social impact," states Nazareth. ICC Armenia Profile 2024 Photo credit: ICC Armenia Where to Shop HDIF Gifts in Yerevan, Etchmiadzin & Beyond Amiryan Kiosk, Amiryan Str. betw. Viva and Team Telecom - Letter ornaments Bookinist, Amiryan and Mashtots Str. locations - Letter ornaments and key tags Dalan Art Gallery, Abovyan 12 - Letter ornaments, key tags, and magnets Etchmiadzin Cathedral Bookstore, Vagharshapat - Letter ornaments and key tags Green Bean, Isahakyan 38 - Potholders, oven gloves, letter ornaments Ket Market, Saryan 6 - Wooden key tags, Ararat puzzle, animal pencil cases Machanents Tun, Shahumyan 36, Vagharshapat - Letter keytag, magnets, ornaments Matenadaran, 53 Mesrop Mashtots - Taraz key tags, finger puppets, letter ornaments Move2Market, Aram str., 42/1 - Letter ornaments, key tags, and magnets, taraz key tags Studio Store. Buzand 22 Taraz Souvenirs at Gum Market, Khorenatsi 35/51 - Letter ornaments Tufenkian Historic Hotel Carpet Shop, Hanrapetutyun 48 - Letter ornaments, taraz key tags and finger puppets Tushpa Winery, 0628 Paruyr Sevak, Taperakan, Ararat - White and green crocheted coasters  Made51 is also selling Maral Berberian's embroidered felt eggs and heart-shaped key tags on its website.  Made51 is a branch of the UN Refugee Agency's (UNHCR) that promotes and sells refugee-made handicrafts. HDIF PRODUCTS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM HDIF has been invited to sell its handmade gifts and souvenirs in the shop at the Armenian Genocide Museum.  The offerings include taraz (Armenian costume) key tags, taraz pencil tops, and dozens of hand-painted Armenian letter ornaments. This Month's Featured Producer Partner Manushak Nersisyan Participates in Impact Hub's "Circulathon" On Oct. 25-26, Impact Hub Yerevan welcomed small and medium enterprise (SME) professionals from around Armenia for "Circulathon," a dynamic, two-day hackathon centered on the concept of the circular economy.  The heart of this gathering was to develop innovative circular business ideas as well as connect SME business people with industry experts, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. HDIF is very proud that Manushak Nersisyan, a longtime producer partner from the northwestern village of Goghovit, participated in the hackathon. Her experience included gaining insights and mentorship to refine her business practices. She participated in hands-on workshops on circular business models, design strategies, and customer targeting.  Specifically, Manushak worked with other craft experts, Mane Varouzhy and Grigor Ghazaryan, on a project called "DenimUp."  They developed the idea to collect denim remnants and make new products like pins, earrings, and small bags. She was thrilled to be awarded seed funding of 1,000 Euros ($1,084) to continue working on the DenimUp concept. Circulathon is part of the CirculUP! project which is led by the Impact Hub Network, Impact Hub Yerevan, and the Շրջակա միջավայր և առողջություն ՀԿ / Environment and Health NGO - funded by the European Union in Armenia. MANUSHAK'S JOURNEY: THE SUCCESS STORY OF A WOMAN WITH A DISABILITY   "Difficulties are always many. With any situation, challenges can arise, but I have been able to overcome these difficulties and break stereotypes. I work tirelessly to integrate people with disabilities into society, and I have set myself a goal where society integrates us," shares Manushak. Manushak was diagnosed with a disability at just one year of age, and has been in a wheelchair for over 50 years. She is involved with "Agat," a nonprofit advocating for the rights of women with disabilities, which has supported her lifelong goals. In her village of Goghovit, the main challenge she faces is a lack of accessible transportation, limiting her participation in local, regional, and national activities. Her wheelchair has been out of commission for some time, and she is uncertain if it can be repaired. Although she applied for a personal assistant through a new government program for individuals with severe disabilities, her application was surprisingly denied. Despite these challenges, Manushak actively engages in her community, participating in grant competitions and collaborating with civil society. As an entrepreneur, she focuses on fabric creation and sewing bedding. On top of all that, Manushak is HDIF's knitting expert, producing socks, hats, sweaters, and scarves with her small team of local knitters. [English translation of excerpts from Ani Mkrtchyan's article titled "Կամավորից՝ անհատ ձեռներեց․ հաշմանդամություն ունեցող կնոջ հաջողության ընթացքը"]

The Latest from HDIF-USA October was a busy month for festivals!  HDIF-USA participated in the food festivals at St. Vartan Church in Oakland, CA and St. John Church in San Francisco.  New, imported Christmas items from Armenia were a hit among shoppers. Festival-goers especially loved our mini flower pots.  Additionally, churches and organizations around the country sold our products at their fall events.  But not to worry, all of our fan favorites are being replenished, and will be restocked before Christmas.   To order our #handcrafted. #madeinarmenia products at wholesale prices for your festival, contact us at hdifusa1@gmail.com.  To reach our shop site, click the button below. Shop HDIF-USA We're on Faire.com!  If you are a retailer and interested in purchasing Armenian-made products for your shop, join us on Faire.com to receive competitive wholesale prices.  Entry-level retailers will receive $200 in credit and free shipping for one year when you sign up with this link: https://hdifusa.faire.com. What's Happening in November On November 23rd, HDIF Founder and Executive Director Tim Straight will be traveling to Dubai to be a guest speaker at Engage Armenia Forum 2024.  Organized by Repat Armenia, this dynamic event will bring together leaders and innovators from Armenia and the Diaspora. Participants can expect interactive pitches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities that will connect organizations and programs working to strengthen Armenia.  Topics will include volunteering & internships; education & health; repatriation & career opportunities; business, investments & export promotion; mentorship & supporting social initiatives. The goal of the forum is not simply participation, but also to create a platform for rethinking, revitalizing, and making an impact through action. Distributors in the Diaspora Distributors' Network United States: HDIF-USA | Beth Broussalian hdifusashop.com Canada: Les Cadeaux Marash | Gayane Petrosyan lescadeauxmarash.com/ United Kingdom: Noor and Katu | Sonya Varoujian noorandkatu.com France: Donos | Mikael Donikian mikael.donikian@donos.fr Finding HDIF in Yerevan HDIF'S RETAIL SPACE & OFFICE: 80 TIGRAN METS AVE YEREVAN 0005 (Near the Sasuntsi Davit train station) Store hours: Monday-Friday 10AM-6PM. For inquiries, call 77 47 33 35 or email hdifarmenia@gmail.com. HDIF is the first World Fair Trade Guaranteed organization in the former Soviet region. www.hdif.org A fun walking trip with Tim from the Sasuntsi Davit train station to HDIF's shop and office at Impact Hub's new location.