Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — Across cities from Prague to Madrid, members of the Church of Scientology are continuing news europe a time-honored tradition: supporting their communities through compassionate initiatives that aim to restore a sense of dignity, compassion, and ethical principles. Behind these efforts lies a belief central to Scientology itself — that true spiritual freedom cannot be achieved without contributing to the well-being of one’s fellow human beings.
In the last few months, Scientologists and their partner organizations have organized hundreds of community and educational programs throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers hosted over 40 community initiatives in October 2025, including local clean-up drives, emergency preparedness workshops, and youth workshops on ethics and cooperation. Parallel activities unfolded in Spain, Italy, Hungary, and France, all delivered under the Church’s wide-reaching social mission.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Whereas some groups distinguish between belief and action, 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 insight that guides the Church’s outreach initiatives. From the worldwide Volunteer Ministers program 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 taken practical form through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a universal moral framework written by Hubbard in 1981 that has reached millions in over 100 languages worldwide — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which empowers students to understand and promote the internationally recognized human rights standards. These programs, while not requiring religious affiliation, illustrate the Scientology view that improving society’s moral and ethical condition is a prerequisite for individuals to flourish spiritually.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Vienna, Rome, and Brussels, Scientology Missions and Churches have become recognized contributors in civic life, often partnering alongside local associations to address social challenges such as social exclusion, substance dependency, and prejudice. Their work complements the European Union’s commitment to human rights awareness and local involvement.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a foundation of a just and united community,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, Representative of the Church of Scientology to the European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe and the United Nations. “When individuals choose to care for their communities, they also move closer to understanding their own inner potential. 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 visible 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 are active in over 200 nations, offering support in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to daily personal struggles.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been provided support during Slovenia’s flood recovery efforts, humanitarian aid for displaced persons in Hungary, earthquake recovery in Croatia and Italy, and ongoing neighborhood initiatives across the continent. Their courses — open to anyone regardless of belief — focuses on practical tools to address disagreements, improve communication, and help people regain their sense of self-worth.
These actions are not driven by proselytism but by the belief that people, when supported with care and insight, can find their way forward and rebuild their futures. 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 focused significantly on education as a long-term strategy for change. 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 schools, local authorities, and student associations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have engaged students through school-based activities, encouraging students to recognize human dignity as a universal right.
Each of these programs is supported by Scientologists but carried out jointly with secular institutions, proving that spiritual values can drive meaningful social action. This commitment to collaboration has gained appreciation from government bodies, teachers, and civil society groups for its consistent long-term engagement.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, helping the community is not distinct from their path to awareness — it is the means by which spiritual awareness grows. The religion teaches that individuals are immortal spiritual beings, capable of achieving elevated spiritual conditions through both personal study and compassionate action. Helping one’s community thus becomes an essential element of advancing toward what Scientology calls “full spiritual independence.”
“Europe has a deep humanist tradition that honors compassion and community support,” 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