Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From the streets of Prague to community halls in Madrid, members of the Church of Scientology are carrying forward a time-honored tradition: serving society through practical outreach that aim to reaffirm dignity, compassion, and moral values. Behind these efforts lies a conviction central to Scientology itself — that true spiritual freedom cannot be achieved unless one actively supports the betterment of one’s fellow human beings.
In the last few months, Scientologists and their partner organizations have led hundreds of community and educational programs throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers organized more than forty community initiatives in October 2025, including local clean-up drives, emergency preparedness workshops, and programs helping teens understand ethics and collaboration. Similar efforts were mirrored in France, Spain, Hungary, and Italy, all conducted under the Church’s broader humanitarian umbrella.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Whereas some groups distinguish between belief and action, Scientology puts helping others at the center of personal progress. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a teaching that underpins the Church’s humanitarian efforts. From the international Volunteer Ministers movement to educational campaigns on drug prevention, literacy, and human rights, each action embodies the idea that assisting others is an integral component toward one’s own personal liberation.
Across Europe, this philosophy has been put into action through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a universal moral framework written by Hubbard news eu commission in 1981 that has touched countless lives in over 100 languages worldwide — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which enables students to understand and promote the UDHR. These programs, while open to all regardless of belief, exemplify the Scientology view that fostering greater moral awareness in society is a prerequisite for individuals to grow in awareness and freedom.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Rome, Brussels, and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become active participants in civic life, often working hand-in-hand with local associations to respond to social challenges such as substance abuse, urban neglect, and intolerance. Their work complements the European Union’s emphasis on civic participation and ethical education.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a foundation of a peaceful and inclusive society,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, European representative of the Church of Scientology, Representative of the Church of Scientology to the UN, Council of Europe, OSCE, and the European Union. “When individuals learn to take responsibility for their communities, they also begin to grasp their own spiritual nature. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only personal liberation, but shared responsibility for the world around us.”
Volunteer Ministers: A Movement of Practical Help.
One of the most recognizable expressions of this ethos is the Volunteer Ministers (VMs) program, created in the 1970s in response to what Hubbard described as the “moral decay” of modern life. Easily recognized by their distinctive yellow T-shirts, VMs serve in nearly every region of the world, offering support in times of crisis — from emergencies like wildfires or hurricanes to individual hardships.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been responded to flood response in Slovenia, humanitarian aid for displaced persons in Hungary, rebuilding efforts after seismic events in Southern Europe, and regular community service projects across the continent. Their courses — open to anyone regardless of belief — teaches practical tools to reduce tension, improve communication, and help people regain their sense of self-worth.
These actions are motivated not by conversion but by compassion but by the conviction that people, when empowered with understanding and compassion, can rise above hardship and regain control of their lives. This is why the program’s motto, “Something can be done about it,” has struck a chord worldwide.
Education and Prevention as Keys to Social Change.
In addition to direct assistance, Scientologists have prioritized education as prevention. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — spearheaded by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has distributed millions of booklets and partnered on prevention workshops in partnership alongside schools, local authorities, and student associations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have run workshops in schools, teaching that human worth is inherent and universal.
Each of these programs is made possible through the dedication of Scientologists but implemented in partnership with public and civic groups, demonstrating how spiritual conviction can translate into tangible civic contribution. This spirit of partnership has earned acknowledgment from community leaders, school officials, and nonprofit organizations for its sustained dedication.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, acts of compassion is not distinct from their path to awareness — it is the path through which spiritual awareness expands. The religion teaches that individuals are immortal spiritual beings, capable of achieving higher states of consciousness through both individual spiritual work and altruistic conduct. Contributing to society thus becomes an inseparable aspect of advancing toward what Scientology calls “complete spiritual liberation.”
“Europe has a longstanding commitment to human dignity that cherishes cooperation and shared responsibility,” added Arjona. “Scientologists participate in this legacy by applying spiritual principles to everyday life — {bringing help, hope, and understanding wherever they can|offering practical aid and moral clarity in their communities|sharing tools for a better life