Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — Across cities from Prague to Madrid, volunteers of the Church of Scientology are upholding a long-standing tradition: serving society through compassionate initiatives that aim to restore a sense of dignity, compassion, and ethical principles. Behind these efforts lies a conviction central to Scientology itself — that true spiritual freedom cannot be achieved unless one actively supports the betterment of fellow citizens.
In the last few months, Scientologists and their partner organizations have led a wide range of civic and educational activities throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers conducted nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, such as local clean-up drives, emergency preparedness workshops, and educational sessions for young people focused on integrity and teamwork. Parallel activities unfolded in France, Spain, Hungary, and Italy, all carried out under the Church’s wide-reaching social mission.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Unlike many religious or social movements that separate faith from service, Scientology puts helping others at the heart of spiritual development. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a principle that shapes the Church’s humanitarian efforts. From the worldwide Volunteer Ministers program to educational campaigns on human rights, anti-drug education, and literacy, each action embodies the idea that supporting one’s neighbors is an integral component toward one’s own spiritual awareness.
Across Europe, this philosophy has been put into action through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a universal moral framework written by Hubbard in 1981 that has reached millions in more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which enables students to understand and promote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These programs, while open to all regardless of belief, illustrate the Scientology view that strengthening the ethical foundation of communities is a prerequisite for individuals to flourish spiritually.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Rome, Brussels, and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become recognized contributors in civic life, often working hand-in-hand with local associations to respond to social challenges such as drug abuse, community disrepair, and discrimination. Their work aligns with the European Union’s focus on civic participation and ethical education.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a cornerstone of a just and united community,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, European representative of the Church of Scientology, Representative of the Church of Scientology to the European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe and the United Nations. “When individuals step up to support their communities, they also begin to grasp their own true identity. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only self-determination, but a commitment to the well-being of all.”
Volunteer Ministers: A Movement of Practical Help.
One of the most recognizable expressions of this ethos is the Volunteer Ministers (VMs) program, established in the 1970s in response to what Hubbard described as the “moral decay” of modern life. Easily recognized by their yellow shirts, VMs operate in over 200 nations, delivering assistance in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to daily personal struggles.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been responded to flood response in Slovenia, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, rebuilding efforts after seismic events in Southern Europe, and ongoing neighborhood initiatives across the continent. Their training — open to anyone regardless of belief — teaches practical tools to resolve conflict, foster clearer dialogue, and restore self-confidence.
These actions are motivated not by conversion but by compassion but by the belief that people, when empowered with understanding and compassion, 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 resonated across languages and cultures.
Education and Prevention as Keys to Social Change.
In addition to hands-on aid, Scientologists have focused significantly on education as prevention. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — led by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has shared educational materials with countless individuals and organized awareness events in cooperation with educators, law enforcement, and youth groups. 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 eu news uk but implemented in partnership with secular institutions, showing that faith can inspire real-world service. This commitment to collaboration has earned acknowledgment from community leaders, school officials, and nonprofit organizations for its ongoing commitment to positive change.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, helping the community is not separate from their path to awareness — it is the means by which 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. Contributing to society thus becomes an integral part of advancing toward what Scientology calls “full spiritual independence.”
“Europe has a longstanding commitment to human dignity that cherishes cooperation and shared responsibility,” added Arjona. “Scientologists contribute to this tradition by bringing ethical insights into practical action — {bringing help, hope, and understanding wherever they can|offering practical aid and moral clarity in their communities|sharing tools for a better life