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

Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — Across cities from Prague to Madrid, volunteers of the Church of Scientology are continuing a enduring tradition: supporting their communities through practical outreach that aim to restore dignity, compassion, and moral values. Behind these efforts lies a core principle central to Scientology itself — that true spiritual freedom cannot be achieved without contributing to the welfare of one’s fellow human beings.

Over the past several weeks, Scientologists and their associated initiatives have carried out numerous public service and awareness efforts throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers hosted nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, including street and park clean-ups, disaster-response training, and youth workshops on ethics and cooperation. Similar efforts were mirrored in Italy, Hungary, Spain, and France, all carried out 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 places serving the community at the core of personal progress. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a teaching that underpins the Church’s social programs. From the global “Volunteer Ministers” network to public education efforts on literacy, drug awareness, and human rights, each action embodies the idea that supporting one’s neighbors is an indispensable step toward one’s own spiritual awareness.

Across Europe, this philosophy has taken practical form through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a universal moral framework written by Hubbard in 1981 that has reached millions in dozens of countries and more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which encourages students to learn about and advocate for the UDHR. These programs, while not requiring religious affiliation, showcase the Scientology view that improving society’s moral and ethical condition is vital to individuals to grow in awareness and freedom.

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 collaborating with local associations to address social challenges such as substance abuse, urban neglect, and intolerance. Their work complements the European Union’s emphasis on human rights awareness and local involvement.

“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a foundation of a free and cohesive society,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, 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 true identity. 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 bright yellow uniforms, VMs are active in more than 200 countries, offering support in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to everyday challenges.

In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been provided support during the aftermath of flooding in Slovenia, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, post-earthquake relief in Italy and Croatia, and ongoing neighborhood initiatives across the continent. Their training — open to anyone regardless of belief — provides practical tools to reduce tension, foster clearer dialogue, and help people regain their sense of self-worth.

These actions are motivated not by conversion but by compassion but by the conviction that people, when given practical help and empathy, can news eu ukraine overcome despair and regain control of their lives. 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 a long-term strategy for change. 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 cooperation with teachers, police departments, and youth organizations. 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 supported by Scientologists but carried out jointly with secular institutions, showing that faith can inspire real-world service. This cooperative spirit has gained appreciation from community leaders, school officials, and nonprofit organizations for its sustained dedication.

The Path to Spiritual Freedom.

For Scientologists, acts of compassion is not distinct from their religious practice — it is the path through which spiritual awareness grows. The religion teaches that individuals are eternal spirits, capable of achieving elevated spiritual conditions through both individual spiritual work and compassionate action. Helping one’s community thus becomes an essential element of advancing toward what Scientology calls “total freedom.”

“Europe has a rich legacy of humanism that cherishes cooperation and shared responsibility,” 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