SCSSS Fund

History of the Organisation

Launched in 2000, the SCSSS Fund is a small educatonal trust aiming to support cultual and social activities that promote links between Scotland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Its' original purpose was to help visiting scholars who found themselves without funding as a result of a new British Council policy to withdraw support for summer school students. This objective has grown into a much wider undertaking, largely due to the popularity and success achieved by many fundraising occasions.

We gratefully acknowledge the subsidy given annually by the Embassy of the Czech Republic; Czech Airlines; the British, Czech and Slovak Association; and other benefactors such as the Inveralmond Brewery, Alliance Wines and private individuals. We are also grateful to Edinburgh University for its' continuing support.

Inaugural Events

The inaugural party of the SCSSS Fund was held in Edinburgh University's elegant Talbot Rice Gallery, and was attended by representatives from the Czech embassy and members of the public interested in supporting the charity. The Entertainment and hospitality included live music, a tombola and an auction.

This Venture alone raised £900 and some 80 guests became members of the trust. After 8 years of existence a pattern of annual fund raising events has been established: a ceilidh, a public lecture and an AGM followed by a garden party. A stall during the June Edinburgh Meadows Festival selling home baking, book, plants and bric-a-brac is another valuable source of funds. Offers of help for all these events are very welcome.