LOCAL HANDICRAFTS FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Since 2015, HDIF has been a provisional member of the World Fair Trade Organization. Over the course of the past couple years, HDIF has been working hard to complete all necessary applications to move our membership forward. Last month, HDIF received approval for its self-assessment application and improvement plan. Our next step was to receive our audit and 2 weeks ago, we did just that! As part of the audit, HDIF and our producer partners spent 2 full and rigorous days answering questions about the mechanics of our operations. Part of the time was spent at our office here in Yerevan and the rest on the road visiting 3 producer partners. We visited Yereqnuk Handicrafts in Koghb which focuses on hand painted leather work, Spitak BeeArt which created hand rolled natural beeswax candles and Spitak Bags which makes hand sewn backpacks, coin purses and iPad covers. At the end of the 2 days, the auditor was able to gain a clear understanding of the ins and outs of HDIF

We are excited to receive the outcome of the audit which we expect under a months time. We at HDIF are confident that WFTO will find that we function in compliance with all 10 fair trade principles in accomplishing our goal of creating jobs for women in vulnerable regions of Armenia!