Volunteers from the Church of Scientology Across Europe Sustain Their Dedication to Serving Communities and Promoting Spiritual Freedom.
Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From the streets of Prague to community halls in Madrid, members of the Church of Scientology are carrying forward a time-honored tradition: supporting their communities through practical outreach that aim to reaffirm dignity, compassion, and moral values. Behind these efforts lies a core principle central to Scientology itself — that real spiritual advancement cannot be achieved except through meaningful contributions to the betterment of others in the community.
During recent months, Scientologists and their associated initiatives have organized hundreds of public service and awareness efforts throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers organized more than forty community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from street and park clean-ups, crisis response drills, and youth workshops on ethics and cooperation. Comparable programs took place in Spain, Italy, Hungary, and France, all delivered under the Church’s wide-reaching social mission.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
In contrast to traditions that treat charity and spirituality as distinct, Scientology positions assisting those in need at the center of individual growth. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a insight that underpins the Church’s social programs. From the global “Volunteer Ministers” network to educational campaigns on human rights, anti-drug education, and literacy, each action demonstrates the idea that assisting others 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 secular moral code written by Hubbard in 1981 that has reached millions in dozens of countries and more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which empowers students to recognize and copyright the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These programs, while not requiring religious affiliation, illustrate the Scientology view that improving society’s moral and ethical condition is essential for individuals to flourish spiritually.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Brussels, Rome, and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become active participants in civic life, often working hand-in-hand 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 civic participation and ethical education.
“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 news euromillions Church of Scientology to the European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe and the United Nations. “When individuals learn to take responsibility 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 shared responsibility for the world around us.”
Volunteer Ministers: A Movement of Practical Help.
One of the most prominent 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 serve in nearly every region of the world, offering support in times of crisis — from natural disasters to daily personal struggles.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been provided support during Slovenia’s flood recovery efforts, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, earthquake recovery in Croatia and Italy, and regular community service projects across the continent. Their workshops — available to all, no matter their background or faith — focuses on practical tools to reduce tension, improve communication, and help people regain their sense of self-worth.
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 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 hands-on aid, Scientologists have focused significantly on education as a proactive solution. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — led by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has distributed millions of booklets and organized awareness events in collaboration with teachers, police departments, and youth organizations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have delivered classroom programs, encouraging students to recognize human dignity as a universal right.
Each of these programs is backed by Church members but implemented in partnership with secular institutions, showing that faith can inspire real-world service. This spirit of partnership has earned acknowledgment from local authorities, educators, and NGOs for its consistent long-term engagement.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, acts of compassion is not distinct from their religious practice — it is the very way that spiritual awareness grows. The religion teaches that individuals are eternal spirits, capable of achieving greater awareness and freedom through both self-directed learning and altruistic conduct. Supporting those around you thus becomes an inseparable aspect of advancing toward what Scientology calls “complete spiritual liberation.”
“Europe has a rich legacy of humanism that honors compassion and community support,” added Arjona. “Scientologists contribute to this tradition 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