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Time of India
06-08-2025
- Time of India
Meet the Roblox creator behind Free Republic of Verdis, the 'world's smallest country' with 400 citizens and its own passports
In one of Europe's most unusual geopolitical developments, a young digital designer has turned an unclaimed border region into a self-proclaimed nation. Daniel Jackson, a 20-year-old originally from Australia, declared himself president of the Free Republic of Verdis, located on a 125-acre patch of land wedged between Croatia and Serbia along the Danube River. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This small sliver of disputed territory, historically ignored due to unresolved border demarcations, has now been transformed into a micronation complete with a national flag, a functioning cabinet, its own currency, and official passports. What began as a teenage experiment has grown into a community of nearly 400 official citizens selected from over 15,000 applicants worldwide, as reported by the New York Post. Despite fierce resistance from Croatian authorities, including deportations, legal bans, and surveillance, the ambitious project continues to thrive as a 'government in exile.' 20-year-old digital designer declared himself President of the Free Republic of Verdis Daniel Jackson first conceived the idea of Verdis when he was just 14 years old. Initially, it was nothing more than an exciting teenage experiment shared with friends, an attempt to build something unique and unconventional. His curiosity was sparked by a rare geographical phenomenon: a 125-acre area of disputed land known as 'pocket three' along the Danube River, unclaimed by either Croatia or Serbia due to a long-standing border dispute. On May 30, 2019, Jackson officially declared the independence of the Free Republic of Verdis. The micronation instantly became notable, not only for its unusual geopolitical location but also because it was recognised as the world's second-smallest country, right behind Vatican City, based on claimed land area. The Free Republic of Verdis: Languages, currency, and citizens Unlike many conceptual micronations, Verdis quickly developed the characteristics of a functioning state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Jackson, who earns his living designing virtual worlds on Roblox, used his skills to shape Verdis' identity. Key features of the Free Republic of Verdis include: Languages: English, Croatian, and Serbian as official languages Currency: Euro Flag and Emblem: Designed and officially adopted by the Verdisian cabinet Passports: Issued to citizens, although Jackson warns they are not valid for regular international travel Initially, the republic began with just four founding members but has now expanded to over 400 official citizens, chosen for their skills and contributions, with priority given to essential fields like medicine and policing. Jackson emphasised, 'It is a very small country, so we have to be careful who we let in.' Verdis faces ban and deportation from Croatia The Free Republic of Verdis is only accessible by boat from the Croatian city of Osijek. However, Croatian authorities have repeatedly opposed settlement attempts in the area. In October 2023, Jackson and several Verdisian settlers were detained by Croatian police, deported, and Jackson was handed a lifetime entry ban for allegedly posing a 'threat to homeland security.' 'They deported us but couldn't give a reason why. They said we were a threat to homeland security,' Jackson said. As reported, since then, Jackson has accused Croatian authorities of installing surveillance systems along the Danube shoreline to prevent access from the Serbian side, effectively blocking any effort to establish permanent settlement. Despite these challenges, he remains committed to what he calls a 'government in exile.' Serbia opens doors as Verdis attracts thousands of applicants While Croatia has been hostile toward Verdis, Serbia has shown a more open attitude. Jackson frequently travels to Belgrade, where he claims to have received a warmer reception and opportunities to discuss future cooperation. His hope is to establish peaceful relations with both neighboring nations, despite the resistance he has encountered. 'We have had a lot of problems with Croatian authorities, but we do want a good relationship with them in the future. They haven't taken to us kindly and have been aggressive,' Jackson explained. Verdis is now often described as the second-smallest nation in the world, only behind Vatican City, giving it symbolic importance among micronation enthusiasts. While it is currently a forested area without permanent infrastructure, it has captured the imagination of thousands who see it as an experiment in self-governance and creative statehood. Citizenship applications continue to grow, with more than 15,000 people expressing interest in becoming part of this unconventional nation. Jackson views Verdis not only as a novelty but as a model for future micro-governance experiments. Jackson's future plans and vision for Verdis Despite the mounting setbacks, Jackson's commitment to Verdis remains unshaken. He dreams of one day returning to the disputed territory and building a permanent community. 'If successful, I would step down from my position and call an election. I am not interested in power at all … I just want to be a normal citizen. It has been eye-opening, and I am quite proud of what I have achieved,' Jackson said. For Jackson, Verdis represents much more than an adventure—it is a symbol of independence, creativity, and the power of vision. Also Read |
News18
05-08-2025
- News18
20-Year-Old Creates Country Of 400 Citizens On No Man's Land, Declares Himself President!
Daniel Jackson, originally from Britain, has founded a country between Serbia and Croatia. The Free Republic of Verdis has its own flag, cabinet, currency, and 400 citizens Have you ever imagined creating your own country? It might sound bizarre, but a 20-year-old has turned this wild idea into reality. Daniel Jackson, originally from Britain, has declared himself the president of a self-proclaimed country on a disputed piece of land between Croatia and Serbia. This tiny nation, called the Free Republic of Verdis, has its own flag, a cabinet, its own currency, and even around 400 registered citizens! Jackson discovered the unclaimed patch of land, locally known as 'Pocket Three', during a border dispute between the neighbouring nations. This forested area of under 125 acres lies on the banks of the Danube River. SWNS, Jackson, who also has Australian roots, officially declared Verdis an independent republic on May 30, 2019. A digital designer by profession, Jackson makes a living building virtual worlds on the gaming platform Roblox. At 18, he began formalising Verdis, with laws, a flag, and a cabinet. The official languages are English, Croatian, and Serbian, and the euro is used as currency. The only way to reach Verdis is by boat from the Croatian city of Osijek. Despite the excitement, building a nation has not been without challenges. In October 2023, Croatian police detained Jackson and a few settlers, later deporting them and banning them from entering Croatia for life. 'They didn't give any reason. Just said we were a threat to national security," Jackson shared. Now operating 'in exile', Jackson continues to run Verdis remotely and insists he wants peaceful relations with Croatia. 'I hope to return one day. If successful, I'll step down and organise proper elections. I don't care about power, I just want to be an ordinary citizen. It's been a surreal journey, and I'm proud of what we've created." Who Can Become a Verdisian? Verdis began with just four people but has now grown to 400 official citizens, with thousands more expressing interest. While the micro-nation issues its own passports, Jackson warns against using them for international travel, though a few reportedly have. 'It's a very small nation, so we're cautious about whom we approve," he explained. 'We prioritise skills like medical or policing experience." Though banned from returning for now, Jackson is hopeful. 'Croatia doesn't claim the land, so we believe we still have a chance. It's surrounded by wilderness, but living there feels almost magical." view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Economic Times
04-08-2025
- Economic Times
Verdis: Roblox creator forms a new country with 400 citizens in unclaimed land between Croatia and Serbia, and it's real
Synopsis Daniel Jackson, a 20-year-old, has proclaimed himself president of the Free Republic of Verdis, a micro-nation established on a disputed area between Croatia and Serbia in 2019. Despite facing challenges with Croatian authorities, including detention and deportation, Jackson continues to advocate for Verdis's recognition and access, seeking support from Serbia and envisioning a future return to the land. Daniel Jackson's Verde A 20-year-old man has gone viral on Reddit after he declared himself president of a self-proclaimed nation called the Free Republic of Verdis, located in a small disputed area along the Danube River between Croatia and Serbia. Daniel Jackson, who founded the micro-nation in 2019, says Verdis now has its own flag, cabinet, currency, and around 400 is located on a 0.5-square-kilometer patch of forest known on maps as "pocket three." The area remains unclaimed by either Croatia or Serbia due to an unresolved border dispute. Jackson told news agency SWNS that he discovered the area was technically unowned and decided to act on an idea he first had as a teenager. "Verdis was an idea I had when I was 14," said Jackson. "It was just a bit of an experiment at first with a few mates. We have all dreamed of creating something crazy."Jackson, a digital designer who creates virtual worlds on Roblox, began working seriously on Verdis at the age of 18. He introduced laws, selected official languages, English, Croatian, and Serbian, and adopted the Euro as the national currency."We started making Verdis a reality when I was 18 by forming some laws and a flag," he said. "We have now built up a government and have a great cabinet." Verdis is accessible only by boat from the Croatian city of Osijek. Despite its remote location, Jackson claims over 15,000 people have applied for citizenship, and more than 400 have been approved. Each citizen receives a Verdisian passport, though Jackson warns it should not be used for international October 2023, Croatian police detained Jackson and several others who attempted to settle in the area. They were deported and Jackson was banned from re-entering Croatia for life."They deported us but couldn't give a reason why," Jackson said. "They said we were a threat to homeland security."Since then, he has operated what he calls a "government in exile" and accused Croatian authorities of installing surveillance to block access from the Serbian side."We have had a lot of problems with Croatian authorities, but we do want a good relationship with them in the future," he said. "They haven't taken to us kindly and have been aggressive."Jackson now travels often to Belgrade, Serbia, where he says officials have been more open to his project. He continues to advocate for access to Verdis and hopes to return there one day."It is a matter of when, not if, we get back on the land," he said. "Croatia doesn't claim the land, so we have the right to it, and we believe that we have a good chance."Jackson said the Free Republic of Verdis started with just four people. The micro-nation now selectively approves citizens based on their skills, especially in areas like medicine or policing."It is a very small country so we have to be careful who we let in," he legal obstacles and setbacks, Jackson insists the goal is not personal power but creating a working, community-driven micro-nation."If successful, I would step down from my position and call an election," he said. "I am not interested in power at all … I just want to be a normal citizen. It has been eye-opening, and I am quite proud of what I have achieved.""To the naked eye it is just a lot of forest, but when you realize that you are in a country you have created, it is magical," he added.
