While many of us outgrow childhood fantasies of creating our own countries, Daniel Jackson, a 20-year-old digital designer, pursued his vision with determination, establishing the Free Republic of Verdis.
He established it on a tiny, unclaimed strip of land along the Danube River, caught in a border dispute between Croatia and Serbia. Now the president of this self-declared nation, complete with its own flag, cabinet, currency, and nearly 400 citizens, Jackson’s ambitious project has hit significant roadblocks, including a lifetime ban from entering his own “country.”
The Creation
On May 30, 2019, Jackson declared the independence of Verdis, a 0.5-square-kilometer forested area known as “pocket three,” unclaimed by either Croatia or Serbia due to a lingering border dispute.
At just 0.5 square kilometers, Verdis ranks as the world’s second-smallest country, following Vatican City. What began as a teenage idea at 14, sparked during a playful experiment with friends, became reality when Jackson, then 18, started crafting laws and designing a flag for his micronation.
“It started as a bit of fun, but we’ve built a functioning government with a strong cabinet,” Jackson told SWNS. From an initial group of four, Verdis now boasts 400 citizens, with thousands more showing interest. The micronation issues passports—though Jackson cautions against their use for international travel—and adopts English, Croatian, and Serbian as official languages, using the Euro as currency. Accessible only by boat from Osijek, Croatia, Verdis has faced significant hurdles in establishing a physical presence.
Tensions with Croatian Authorities
Jackson’s efforts to settle Verdis were thwarted in October 2023 when Croatian police detained him and others attempting to establish a presence on the land. Deported and banned for life from Croatia, Jackson claims the authorities labeled them a “threat to homeland security” without clear justification. Croatian officials have reportedly increased surveillance to block access from Serbia’s side, forcing Jackson to run a “government in exile” from Belgrade, where he’s found a warmer reception.
Despite the setbacks, Jackson remains steadfast. “The land isn’t claimed by Croatia, so we have a legitimate right to it,” he said, expressing hope for eventual cooperation with Croatian authorities.
A Dream Rooted in Purpose
Originally from Australia, Jackson, who earns a living designing virtual worlds on Roblox, emphasizes that his pursuit isn’t about power. “I’m not after control; I just want to be an ordinary citizen,” he told SWNS. He finds it “magical” to stand in the forest of Verdis, a nation he brought to life. With citizens chosen for skills like medicine and law enforcement, Jackson is committed to making Verdis more than a concept. “It’s not a question of if we’ll return to the land, but when,” he said, proud of turning a childhood dream into a bold reality.
