Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From the streets of Prague to community halls in Madrid, volunteers of the Church of Scientology are continuing a time-honored tradition: serving society through humanitarian actions that aim to reaffirm dignity, compassion, and moral values. Behind these efforts lies a core principle central to Scientology itself — that genuine spiritual liberty cannot be achieved unless one actively supports the well-being of others in the community.

In the last few months, Scientologists and their partner organizations have organized numerous public service and awareness efforts throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers conducted nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from local clean-up drives, crisis response drills, and programs helping teens understand ethics and collaboration. Similar efforts were mirrored in Italy, Hungary, Spain, 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 places serving the community at the core 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 awareness initiatives on drug prevention, literacy, and human rights, each action embodies the idea that helping people is an essential part toward one’s own personal liberation.

Across Europe, this philosophy has taken practical form through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a non-religious ethical guide written by Hubbard in 1981 that has touched countless lives in dozens of countries and more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which empowers students to recognize and copyright the internationally recognized human rights standards. These programs, while open to all regardless of belief, showcase the Scientology view that strengthening the ethical foundation of communities is vital to individuals to grow in awareness and freedom.

A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.

In cities like Vienna, Rome, and Brussels, Scientology Missions and Churches have become trusted partners in civic life, often partnering alongside local associations to address social challenges such as drug abuse, community disrepair, and discrimination. Their work supports the European Union’s emphasis on human rights awareness and local involvement.

“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a pillar of a just and united community,” 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 learn to take responsibility for 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 collective duty to uplift society.”

Volunteer Ministers: A Movement of Practical Help.

One of the most prominent expressions of this ethos is the Volunteer Ministers (VMs) program, launched eu news germany 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, delivering assistance in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to daily personal struggles.

In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been active in flood response in Slovenia, humanitarian aid for displaced persons in Hungary, earthquake recovery in Croatia and Italy, and continuous local outreach across the continent. Their courses — accessible to every interested person — focuses on practical tools to reduce tension, improve communication, and rebuild personal resilience.

These actions are guided by service, not by seeking new members but by the belief that people, when supported with care and insight, 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 struck a chord worldwide.

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 — conducted through the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has distributed millions of booklets 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 supported by Scientologists but carried out jointly with non-religious organizations, demonstrating how spiritual conviction can translate into tangible civic contribution. This cooperative spirit 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 apart from their religious practice — it is the means by which spiritual awareness deepens. The religion teaches that individuals are spiritual entities without end, capable of achieving greater awareness and freedom through both personal study and compassionate action. Contributing to society thus becomes an inseparable aspect of advancing toward what Scientology calls “complete spiritual liberation.”

“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