Young Australian Daniel Jackson Builds Real Micronation in Unclaimed Land
Twenty-year-old Daniel Jackson, an Australian digital designer and former Roblox creator, made headlines by founding the Free Republic of Verdis — a self-declared country on a 125-acre patch of unclaimed forest along the Danube River between Croatia and Serbia. What started as a teenage experiment has blossomed into a real micronation with nearly 400 citizens, its own flag, constitution, currency, and passports.
Origins of Verdis: From Virtual World to Real Land
Daniel first imagined Verdis when he was only 14 years old. Fascinated by the idea of digital sovereignty, he designed a virtual world on Roblox called Verdis. As he researched real-world geopolitics, he discovered a small strip of unclaimed land known as “pocket three,” situated between Croatia and Serbia. This piece of forest had no clear owner due to historic border disputes and was effectively ignored by both countries.
On May 30, 2019, Daniel boldly declared the Free Republic of Verdis independent. He didn’t stop at a declaration; he began to organize the country with real-world features inspired by both his digital creation and traditional states.
Building the Nation: Government, Citizenship, and Symbols
Daniel designed a comprehensive framework for Verdis. The nation adopted a flag symbolizing unity and nature, and a constitution that outlines citizen rights and governance structures.
Verdis has a government cabinet, with Daniel as its self-appointed president. The country recognizes English, Croatian, and Serbian as official languages, reflecting its geographical and cultural context. The Euro serves as its official currency.
Daniel opened citizenship applications worldwide and selected nearly 400 official citizens from over 15,000 applicants. Though these citizens cannot legally travel on Verdis passports, the documents symbolize membership and identity within this unique community.
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Challenges and Conflict with Authorities
In October 2023, Croatian authorities confronted Verdis settlers. The Croatian police detained several residents, including Daniel Jackson, citing national security concerns. Authorities deported Daniel and banned him from entering Croatia for life. The government did not publicly disclose full details of these actions but indicated they saw Verdis as a challenge to Croatian sovereignty.
Daniel now leads a government in exile. He reports that Croatian forces installed surveillance and blockades along the Verdis shore, making access from Croatia impossible. Conversely, Serbian officials appear more open to dialogue and have shown some tolerance for the community, offering Daniel a base of operations in Belgrade.
Verdis Today: Government in Exile and Vision for the Future
Despite legal and political hurdles, Daniel remains passionate about Verdis. He frequently travels to Serbia, where he maintains relationships with supporters and attempts to find diplomatic solutions. He hopes to someday return to Verdis and hold democratic elections, expressing a willingness to step down if citizens choose another leader.
Daniel envisions Verdis not as a dictatorship, but as an innovative, community-driven micronation emphasizing digital sovereignty, inclusion, and modern governance. His goal is to blend real-world statecraft with new technology to create a functional and recognized country.
Wider Impact and Public Interest
Verdis has attracted global attention as one of the most ambitious modern micronations. Unlike many micronations that exist only on paper or in fantasy, Verdis has a tangible land base, active community, and functioning government structures.
The project has inspired discussions about border disputes, international law, and the possibilities of digital governance. Some see Verdis as a bold social experiment, others as a challenge to traditional notions of sovereignty.
- Comparing Verdis to Other Micronations
Verdis shares similarities with other well-known micronations like Liberland, a disputed territory between Croatia and Serbia founded in 2015 by Czech politician Vít Jedlička. Both arose from unclaimed lands in the same region and strive for international recognition. However, Verdis distinguishes itself by its digital origins, larger community, and focus on blending virtual and physical governance.
Aspect | Details |
Founder | Daniel Jackson (20, Australian) |
Location | 125-acre forest strip between Croatia and Serbia |
Declaration Date | May 30, 2019 |
Population | Nearly 400 official citizens |
Languages | English, Croatian, Serbian |
Currency | Euro |
Government Structure | Cabinet with Daniel as president |
Legal Status | Not recognized internationally, Croatian ban on founder |
Current Base | Government in exile, operating from Serbia |
Vision | Digital sovereignty, community governance, democratic elections planned |
The Road Ahead for Verdis
Daniel Jackson’s journey from Roblox creator to micronation president challenges ideas about statehood in the 21st century. Verdis stands at the intersection of digital innovation and real-world geopolitics, proving that new forms of community and governance are possible — even in disputed borderlands.
Whether Verdis will gain international recognition or remain a curiosity depends on how Daniel navigates political challenges and builds alliances. For now, the Free Republic of Verdis symbolizes youthful ambition, digital creativity, and the enduring human desire to carve out a place of one’s own on the map.
