Major Constraints in Developing AIZON Projects in Ethiopia

The expansion of the project is at present limited by the terms of the lease offered by the Ethiopian authorities. Sofar, the local authorities have provided only a 5 years lease term for the arboretum land and a 3 year lease term for the library. Both leases are too short for the plantation of fruit trees or the establishment of a library. AIZON's founders are taking the risk of proceeding with the arboretum project counting on the reasonable judgment of the Ethiopian authorities that the lease terms will change when the project demonstrates results. Although, the library project has been put on hold the design for the library building, using local construction material, has been completed.