Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From Prague’s neighborhoods to Madrid’s civic centers, volunteers of the Church of Scientology are continuing a time-honored tradition: supporting their communities through practical outreach that aim to restore moral clarity, human dignity, news europe war and empathy. Behind these efforts lies a conviction central to Scientology itself — that true spiritual freedom cannot be achieved without contributing to the betterment of others in the community.
In the last few months, Scientologists and their partner organizations have led hundreds of civic and educational activities throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers organized over 40 community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from local clean-up drives, crisis response drills, and programs helping teens understand ethics and collaboration. Parallel activities unfolded in France, Spain, Hungary, and Italy, all conducted under the Church’s comprehensive humanitarian framework.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Whereas some groups distinguish between belief and action, Scientology places 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 guides the Church’s social programs. From the global “Volunteer Ministers” network to awareness initiatives on human rights, anti-drug education, and literacy, each action embodies the idea that supporting one’s neighbors is an essential part 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 secular moral code written by Hubbard in 1981 that has reached millions in over 100 languages worldwide — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which enables students to understand and promote the internationally recognized human rights standards. These programs, while entirely secular in participation, showcase the Scientology view that improving society’s moral and ethical condition is a prerequisite for individuals to achieve spiritual well-being.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Brussels, Rome, 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 complements the European Union’s focus on human rights awareness and local involvement.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a cornerstone 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 European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe and the United Nations. “When individuals step up to support their communities, they also deepen their awareness of their own inner potential. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only personal liberation, 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 operate in nearly every region of the world, delivering assistance in times of crisis — from emergencies like wildfires or hurricanes to daily personal struggles.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been responded to the aftermath of flooding in Slovenia, Hungary’s refugee support programs, rebuilding efforts after seismic events in Southern Europe, and continuous local outreach across the continent. Their courses — open to anyone regardless of belief — focuses on practical tools to resolve conflict, enhance understanding, and help people regain their sense of self-worth.
These actions are guided by service, not by seeking new members but by the conviction that people, when supported with care and insight, can rise above hardship and reclaim their independence. 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 prioritized 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 partnered on prevention workshops in partnership alongside teachers, police departments, and youth organizations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have run workshops in schools, helping young people see dignity as a right for everyone.
Each of these programs is backed by Church members but implemented in partnership with public and civic groups, showing that faith can inspire real-world service. This spirit of partnership has received recognition from local authorities, educators, and NGOs 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 grows. The religion teaches that individuals are immortal spiritual beings, capable of achieving elevated spiritual conditions through both personal study and service to others. Helping one’s community thus becomes an inseparable aspect of advancing toward what Scientology calls “total freedom.”
“Europe has a rich legacy of humanism 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