H. Hovnanian Family Foundation Invests $302,000 in Armenia’s Workforce

YEREVAN, Armenia, March 13, 2025 — The H. Hovnanian Family Foundation announces the awardees of its 2024 4th quarter grant call dedicated to workforce development in Armenia. The Foundation selected seven outstanding projects that effectively leveraged their expertise and partnerships to deliver impactful and cost-efficient solutions including: National Polytechnic University of Armenia (NPUA), JINJ, Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), We are our Mountains, National Center for Professional Education Quality Assurance Foundation (ANQA), Technological Education Foundation (TEF) and “EXHEO” Education and Career Development Foundation. Together, these initiatives represent a $302,000 USD investment in advancing Armenia's workforce development.

This funding opportunity focused on preparing adults to be work-ready, upskilling the existing workforce, improving vocational education and training (VET) systems, and reinforcing career services within higher educational institutions with an overarching goal to increase Armenia’s workforce quality and capacity, and bridging the gap between education and employment. Interest in this grant initiative was exceptionally high, with a total of 82 grant requests submitted. “This was one of our most competitive grant cycles. We prioritized projects with clear implementation and sustainability plans, measurable impact, and strong alignment with larger strategic programs,” noted Foundation Programs Manager Anahit Hakobyan.

The NPUA was awarded a grant to train 100 specialists in energy auditing and facilitate their job placement. This initiative is aligned with Armenia's upcoming mandatory law that will require all industrial facilities to undergo energy audits. Additionally, JINJ organization, with 30 years of experience in water resource management in Armenia, will train water specialists within the existing municipal utility units of Tavush region to enhance the operations and management of local water systems. It aligns with the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to address critical water challenges in Tavush’s border villages.

Targeting the workforce in the Syunik region, FAR’s project will address two key priorities of this grant intent by not only training 50 individuals in solar energy technologies and creating job placement opportunities, but also establishing Energy Education Centers within two existing educational institutions in Sisian and Goris. Through another initiative in the Syunik region, We Are Our Mountains will work in the Tatev community to empower 50 Artsakh families and local residents by fostering entrepreneurship and job skills.

As part of efforts to strengthen VET institutions, ANQA received a grant to train 80 VET educators from 10 institutions in research-driven teaching, digital literacy, and project-based learning. Expanding to higher education institutions, TEF will develop a self-paced e-learning platform to support students in job preparedness and job searching. Additionally, they will upskill the Career Centers’ staff to effectively use the platform and guide students in their career development.
Last but not least, EXHEO was awarded a grant that will support the professional development of faculty at the Armenian State Pedagogical University, enhancing teaching quality and academic excellence.

The Foundation is currently accepting grant project proposals for first quarter 2025, aimed at improving the quality of Armenia’s public education system, with a special focus on the regions. This opportunity, open until March 31, 2025, prioritizes initiatives that will enhance the professional capacity of educators and administrators, expand access to educational resources and technology in underserved areas, and transform learning environments. For details on grant goals, application procedures, and upcoming focus areas, visit this page. Since the Foundation’s establishment in 1986, H. Hovnanian Family Foundation has earmarked over $100 million for hundreds of initiatives and projects for charitable, educational, scientific, cultural, and other related purposes with a primary focus on assisting Armenian communities worldwide as well as organizations in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in the state of New Jersey.