Gen Z wants its own state: How Verdis becomes a viral political project of Generation Z

The story of the Free Republic of Verdis, a self-proclaimed micronation established on a disputed tract of land between Croatia and Serbia, has been gaining traction online. The project was created by representatives of Generation Z, while its founder began developing the concept as a teenager, El.kz reports.

How it began

Verdis was established on a territory that the parties to the Croatia–Serbia border dispute interpret differently. The project’s founders state that their claim is based on the principle of terra nullius - territory that neither party formally incorporates into its sovereign territory. The state was proclaimed in 2019.

The initiative was proposed by Daniel Jackson, who, together with friends, explored online maps and decided to establish their own project inspired by other Balkan micronations. The name Verdis derives from the Latin word viridis (“green”), reflecting the initiative’s original environmental focus.

Does Verdis have a territory?

According to its official maps, Verdis claims an area of approximately 0.5 square kilometres on the banks of the Danube River. However, the project exercises no effective control over the claimed territory. Croatian authorities regard attempts to enter the area as violations of the state border and have previously detained activists seeking to establish a settlement there.

Following the events of 2023, the administration of Verdis has effectively operated remotely. Its administrative headquarters are located in Dover, United Kingdom, while an additional representative office operates in Novi Sad, Serbia. Verdis has not been recognized by any United Nations Member State.

Why the project has resonated with Generation Z

The founders describe Verdis as a humanitarian and politically neutral state intended to bring people together and serve as a platform for testing innovative models of governance. Jackson attributes his generation’s interest in such initiatives to the search for alternative life trajectories amid global challenges, including housing affordability.

Most of the project’s activities take place in the digital sphere. Verdis operates an e-residency programme, issues its own identity documents, and provides a range of online public services. According to the project, by the beginning of 2026 more than 2,000 e-residencies had been issued, while the number of officially registered citizens stood at 400.

Why the story has attracted attention

The Verdis case illustrates how social media platforms and digital technologies enable young people to create political and media initiatives with an international profile. For some observers, it represents an experiment in new forms of civic self-organization and governance; for others, it is a high-profile online campaign built around a longstanding Balkan border dispute.

Generation Z has not yet established its own sovereign state. Verdis remains a self-proclaimed micronation without international recognition and without effective sovereign control over its claimed territory. Nevertheless, it has already become one of the most widely discussed digital political projects associated with Generation Z.