Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — Across cities from Prague to Madrid, volunteers of the Church of Scientology are upholding a enduring tradition: supporting their communities through humanitarian actions that aim to reaffirm moral clarity, human dignity, and empathy. Behind these efforts lies a core principle central to Scientology itself — that genuine spiritual liberty cannot be achieved without contributing to the well-being of fellow citizens.
During recent months, Scientologists and their affiliated groups have organized numerous public service and awareness efforts throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers organized nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from street and park clean-ups, crisis response drills, and programs helping teens understand ethics and collaboration. Comparable programs took place in Spain, Italy, Hungary, 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 helping others 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 insight that shapes the Church’s outreach initiatives. From the international Volunteer Ministers movement to public education efforts on human rights, anti-drug education, and literacy, each action demonstrates the idea that supporting one’s neighbors 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 non-religious ethical guide written by Hubbard in 1981 that has been distributed to millions in over 100 languages worldwide — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which encourages students to recognize and copyright the internationally recognized human rights standards. These programs, while entirely secular in participation, exemplify the Scientology view that strengthening the ethical foundation of communities 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 trusted partners in civic life, often collaborating with local associations to respond to social challenges such as substance abuse, urban neglect, and intolerance. Their work complements the European Union’s commitment to community engagement and human rights education.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a cornerstone of a just and united community,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, 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 inner potential. 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) news eureka program, launched in the 1970s in response to what Hubbard described as the “moral decay” of modern life. Easily recognized by their distinctive yellow T-shirts, VMs are active in more than 200 countries, offering support in times of crisis — from natural disasters to individual hardships.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been responded to the aftermath of flooding in Slovenia, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, post-earthquake relief in Italy and Croatia, and regular community service projects across the continent. Their workshops — available to all, no matter their background or faith — focuses on practical tools to resolve conflict, improve communication, and restore self-confidence.
These actions are guided by service, not by seeking new members but by the understanding 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 resonated across languages and cultures.
Education and Prevention as Keys to Social Change.
In addition to direct assistance, Scientologists have prioritized education as a proactive solution. 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 collaboration with educators, law enforcement, and youth groups. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have engaged students through school-based activities, 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, proving that spiritual values can drive meaningful social action. This cooperative spirit has earned acknowledgment from community leaders, school officials, and nonprofit organizations for its sustained dedication.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, service to others is not separate from their spiritual journey — it is the means by which spiritual awareness expands. The religion teaches that individuals are immortal spiritual beings, capable of achieving higher states of consciousness through both individual spiritual work and altruistic conduct. Contributing to society thus becomes an inseparable aspect 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 applying spiritual principles to everyday life — {bringing help, hope, and understanding wherever they can|offering practical aid and moral clarity in their communities|sharing tools for a better life