Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — Across cities from Prague to Madrid, volunteers of the Church of Scientology are upholding a enduring tradition: supporting their communities through compassionate initiatives that aim to reinforce a sense of dignity, compassion, and ethical principles. Behind these efforts lies a conviction central to Scientology itself — that real spiritual advancement cannot be achieved unless one actively supports the betterment of one’s fellow human beings.
In the last few months, Scientologists and their associated initiatives have led a wide range of civic and educational activities throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers organized more than forty community initiatives in October 2025, including neighborhood clean-ups, disaster-response training, and educational sessions for young people focused on integrity and teamwork. Comparable programs took place in Spain, Italy, Hungary, and France, all carried out under the Church’s comprehensive humanitarian framework.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Unlike many religious or social movements that separate faith from service, Scientology puts assisting those in need at the heart of personal progress. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a principle that underpins the Church’s humanitarian efforts. From the global “Volunteer Ministers” network to awareness initiatives on literacy, drug awareness, and human rights, each action reflects the idea that helping people is an integral component toward one’s own personal liberation.
Across Europe, this philosophy has manifested in real-world programs through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a non-religious ethical guide written by Hubbard in 1981 that has reached millions in dozens of countries and more news eugene oregon than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which enables students to recognize and copyright the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These programs, while not requiring religious affiliation, showcase the Scientology view that fostering greater moral awareness in society is a prerequisite for individuals to flourish spiritually.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Brussels, Rome, and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become active participants in civic life, often partnering alongside local associations to respond to social challenges such as drug abuse, community disrepair, and discrimination. Their work complements the European Union’s commitment to civic participation and ethical education.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a pillar of a peaceful and inclusive society,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, 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 deepen their awareness of their own true identity. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only personal liberation, but a collective duty to uplift society.”
Volunteer Ministers: A Movement of Practical Help.
One of the most prominent 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 bright yellow uniforms, VMs are active in more than 200 countries, providing aid in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to individual hardships.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been active in Slovenia’s flood recovery efforts, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, earthquake recovery in Croatia and Italy, and ongoing neighborhood initiatives across the continent. Their workshops — open to anyone regardless of belief — teaches practical tools to address disagreements, improve communication, and help people regain their sense of self-worth.
These actions are guided by service, not by seeking new members but by the understanding that people, when supported with care and insight, can find their way forward and reclaim their independence. This is why the program’s motto, “Something can be done about it,” has resonated across languages and cultures.
Education and Prevention as Keys to Social Change.
In addition to direct assistance, Scientologists have prioritized education as a long-term strategy for change. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — spearheaded by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has distributed millions of booklets and organized awareness events in collaboration with schools, local authorities, and student associations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have delivered classroom programs, encouraging students to recognize human dignity as a universal right.
Each of these programs is made possible through the dedication of Scientologists but delivered alongside non-religious organizations, demonstrating how spiritual conviction can translate into tangible civic contribution. This commitment to collaboration has earned acknowledgment from government bodies, teachers, and civil society groups for its ongoing commitment to positive change.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, helping the community is not distinct from their spiritual journey — it is the very way that spiritual awareness deepens. The religion teaches that individuals are eternal spirits, capable of achieving elevated spiritual conditions through both individual spiritual work and compassionate action. Supporting those around you thus becomes an essential element of advancing toward what Scientology calls “complete spiritual liberation.”
“Europe has a longstanding commitment to human dignity that values solidarity and mutual aid,” added Arjona. “Scientologists participate in this legacy by using spiritual understanding to address real-world needs — {bringing help, hope, and understanding wherever they can|offering practical aid and moral clarity in their communities|sharing tools for a better life