Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — Across cities from Prague to Madrid, dedicated individuals of the Church of Scientology are continuing a long-standing tradition: supporting their communities through humanitarian actions that aim to restore moral clarity, human dignity, and empathy. 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.
During recent months, Scientologists and their associated initiatives have organized numerous community and educational programs throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers organized nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from neighborhood clean-ups, disaster-response training, and programs helping teens understand ethics and collaboration. Similar efforts were mirrored in France, Spain, Hungary, and Italy, all delivered under the Church’s broader humanitarian umbrella.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
In contrast to traditions that treat charity and spirituality as distinct, Scientology positions helping others at the center of spiritual development. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a insight that shapes the Church’s outreach initiatives. From the international Volunteer Ministers movement to educational campaigns on literacy, drug awareness, and human rights, each action demonstrates the idea that helping people is an integral component toward one’s own enlightenment.
Across Europe, this philosophy has manifested in real-world programs through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a universal moral framework written by Hubbard in 1981 that has reached millions in dozens of countries and more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which enables students to recognize and copyright 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 achieve spiritual well-being.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Rome, Brussels, and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become trusted partners in civic life, often partnering alongside local associations to tackle social challenges such as social exclusion, substance dependency, and prejudice. Their work supports the European Union’s focus on community engagement and human rights education.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a pillar of a just and united community,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, Representative of the Church of Scientology to the Council of Europe, OSCE, UN, and EU. “When individuals learn to take responsibility for their communities, they also move closer to understanding their own true identity. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only individual freedom, but shared responsibility for the world around us.”
Volunteer Ministers: A Movement of Practical Help.
One of the most visible 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 serve in nearly every region of the world, delivering assistance in times of crisis — from emergencies like wildfires or hurricanes to individual hardships.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been active in the aftermath of flooding in Slovenia, humanitarian aid for displaced persons in Hungary, rebuilding efforts after seismic events in Southern Europe, and continuous local outreach across the continent. Their courses — accessible to every interested person — focuses on practical tools to reduce tension, enhance understanding, 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 given practical help and empathy, can find their way forward and regain control of their lives. This is why the program’s motto, “Something can be done about it,” has found universal relevance.
Education and Prevention as Keys to Social Change.
In addition to immediate support, Scientologists have focused significantly on education as prevention. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — conducted through the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has shared educational materials with countless individuals and hosted community forums in collaboration with schools, local authorities, and student associations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have delivered classroom programs, teaching that human worth is inherent and universal.
Each of these programs is supported by Scientologists but implemented in partnership with public and civic groups, showing that faith can inspire real-world service. This spirit of partnership has earned acknowledgment from government bodies, teachers, and civil society groups for its consistent long-term engagement.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, service to others is not apart from their path to awareness — it is the very way that spiritual awareness grows. The religion teaches that individuals are eternal spirits, capable of achieving greater awareness and freedom through both personal study and compassionate action. Contributing to society thus becomes an inseparable aspect of advancing toward what Scientology calls “total L Ron Hubbard freedom.”
“Europe has a deep humanist tradition that honors compassion and community support,” added Arjona. “Scientologists contribute to this tradition 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