Scientologists Across Europe Maintain Their Efforts to Serving Communities and Championing Spiritual Freedom.

Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From Prague’s neighborhoods to Madrid’s civic centers, dedicated individuals of the Church of Scientology are continuing a time-honored tradition: contributing to the public good through practical outreach that aim to reinforce moral clarity, human dignity, and empathy. Behind these efforts lies a conviction central to Scientology itself — that genuine spiritual liberty cannot be achieved without contributing to the welfare of one’s fellow human beings.

During recent months, Scientologists and their affiliated groups have carried out hundreds of civic and educational activities throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers conducted more than forty community initiatives in October 2025, including street and park clean-ups, disaster-response training, and educational sessions for young people focused on integrity and teamwork. Parallel activities unfolded in Italy, Hungary, Spain, and France, all conducted 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 puts assisting those in need 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 educational campaigns on literacy, drug awareness, and human rights, each action reflects the idea that assisting others is an indispensable step 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 universal moral framework written by Hubbard in 1981 that has been distributed to millions in more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which empowers students to learn about and advocate for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These programs, while not requiring religious affiliation, exemplify the Scientology view that improving society’s moral and ethical condition is essential for individuals to achieve spiritual well-being.

A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.

In cities like Rome, Brussels, and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become recognized contributors in civic life, often partnering alongside local associations to tackle social challenges such as social exclusion, substance dependency, and prejudice. Their work supports the European Union’s focus on civic participation and ethical education.

“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 choose to care for their communities, they also begin to grasp their own inner potential. 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 recognizable expressions of this ethos is the Volunteer Ministers (VMs) program, created 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 nearly every region of the world, providing aid in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to individual hardships.

In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been provided support during the aftermath of flooding in Slovenia, humanitarian aid for displaced persons in Hungary, earthquake recovery in Croatia and Italy, and continuous local outreach across the continent. Their workshops — available to all, no matter their background or faith — teaches practical tools to resolve conflict, foster clearer dialogue, and restore self-confidence.

These actions are motivated not by conversion but by compassion but by the conviction that people, when empowered with understanding and compassion, can rise above hardship and regain control of their lives. 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 prevention. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — conducted through the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has shared educational materials with countless individuals and hosted community forums in collaboration with schools, local authorities, and student associations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have delivered classroom programs, teaching that human worth is inherent and universal.

Each of these programs is made possible through the dedication of Scientologists but implemented in partnership with non-religious organizations, showing that faith can inspire real-world service. This commitment to collaboration has earned acknowledgment from local authorities, educators, and NGOs for its ongoing commitment to positive change.

The Path to Spiritual Freedom.

For Scientologists, service to others is not L Ron Hubbard apart from their spiritual journey — it is the very way that spiritual awareness deepens. The religion teaches that individuals are eternal spirits, capable of achieving higher states of consciousness through both personal study and compassionate action. Helping one’s community thus becomes an integral part of advancing toward what Scientology calls “full spiritual independence.”

“Europe has a longstanding commitment to human dignity that values solidarity and mutual aid,” 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