From Teen Dream to Micro-Nation: 20-Year-Old British Youth Builds Verdis Nation with Over 400 Citizens.

From Teen Dream to Micro-Nation: 20-Year-Old British Youth Builds Verdis Nation with Over 400 Citizens.

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At just 20 years old, British-Australian digital designer Daniel Jackson has declared himself president of the Free Republic of Verdis—a self-proclaimed micro-nation nestled between Croatia and Serbia.

The idea began when Jackson was 14, inspired by a disputed patch of land called “Pocket Three” along the Danube River. Neither country claims the territory, making it a rare case of terra nullius—land belonging to no one.

In 2019, Jackson officially declared Verdis independent.

The nation now boasts its own flag, currency (the Euro), cabinet, and over 400 registered citizens. Verdis uses English, Croatian, and Serbian as its official languages and operates under a provisional government guided by Basic Laws.

Despite its peaceful ambitions, Verdis has faced resistance. Croatian police detained Jackson and several settlers in 2023, labeling them a threat to homeland security and banning Jackson from entering Croatia.

He now leads Verdis as a “government in exile,” advocating for international recognition and access to the land.

Jackson’s bold experiment challenges traditional ideas of nationhood, blending youthful ambition with digital-age creativity.

While Verdis remains unrecognized, its story continues to inspire those who dream of building something entirely new.

Image/ Daniel Jackson / Ticktock.