Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From Prague’s neighborhoods to Madrid’s civic centers, volunteers of the Church of Scientology are upholding a time-honored tradition: serving society through humanitarian actions 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 without contributing to the well-being of one’s fellow human beings.
Over the past several weeks, Scientologists and their affiliated groups have organized hundreds of community and educational programs throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers conducted over 40 community initiatives in October 2025, including local clean-up drives, emergency preparedness workshops, and youth workshops on ethics and cooperation. Similar efforts were mirrored in Italy, Hungary, Spain, and France, all conducted under the Church’s broader humanitarian umbrella.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Unlike many religious or social movements that separate faith from service, Scientology positions serving the community 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 teaching that guides 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 indispensable step toward one’s own spiritual awareness.
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 been distributed to millions in over 100 languages worldwide — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which empowers students to understand and promote the UDHR. These programs, while entirely secular in participation, showcase the Scientology view that fostering greater moral awareness in society is vital to individuals to flourish spiritually.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Vienna, Rome, and Brussels, Scientology Missions and Churches have become active participants 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 human rights awareness and local involvement.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a foundation of a free and cohesive 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 step up to support their communities, they also deepen their awareness of their own true identity. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only individual freedom, 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, launched in the 1970s in response to what Hubbard described as the “moral decay” of modern life. Easily recognized by their yellow shirts, VMs serve in more than 200 countries, delivering assistance in times of crisis — from emergencies like wildfires or hurricanes to individual hardships.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been active in flood response in Slovenia, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, earthquake recovery in Croatia and Italy, and regular community service projects across the continent. Their workshops — open to anyone regardless of belief — teaches practical tools to address disagreements, enhance understanding, and rebuild personal resilience.
These actions are guided by service, not by seeking new members but by the understanding 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 a proactive solution. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — conducted through the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has reached millions through printed and digital resources and hosted community forums in cooperation with educators, law enforcement, and youth groups. 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 secular institutions, showing that faith can inspire real-world eu newspapers service. This spirit of partnership has gained appreciation from community leaders, school officials, and nonprofit organizations 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 path through which spiritual awareness expands. The religion teaches that individuals are eternal spirits, capable of achieving greater awareness and freedom through both self-directed learning and compassionate action. Helping one’s community thus becomes an integral part of advancing toward what Scientology calls “total freedom.”
“Europe has a deep humanist tradition that cherishes cooperation and shared responsibility,” added Arjona. “Scientologists build upon this heritage 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