Free Cities Awards
The Free Cities Awards recognise the work that carries the movement forward: the people who open new jurisdictions, the projects that put them on the ground, the inventions they make possible, the stories that reach a wider public, and the good all of it does for the people who live there.
Nominations come from the community. A jury shortlists three in each category, and the winners are revealed on stage at the conference. They have been presented since 2024, that first year under the conference’s former name, Liberty in Our Lifetime.
2026
Infinita Dome, Próspera, Honduras · · Presented by Titus Gebel
Storyteller Award
Christoph HeuermannEmigration & Flag-Theory ExpertFor Staatenlos · Accepted by Danny Hertle
For creating the Freedom Ranking Index and communicating the value of governance competition and global mobility through compelling research and strong public engagement.
Also nominated: Virginia Mann, Jeremy Kauffman
Innovation Award
Niklas AnzingerInfinita VCFor connecting frontier companies, longevity research and strategic partners to create new opportunities and expand innovation within the Próspera ecosystem.
Also nominated: Dušan Matuška, Patrick Hiebert
Builder Award
Oliver W. PorterContract City PioneerFor pioneering and implementing the public-private municipal model associated with Sandy Springs, demonstrating in practice how a city can be administered by private providers.
Also nominated: Max Medina, Ivan Syrtsov
Pioneer Award
Erick BrimenPrósperaFor leading Próspera through major legal and political challenges while continuing to advance one of the world’s most ambitious Free City projects.
Also nominated: Ursula Frederick, Tim Stern
Innovation Award
Mitchell SuchnerArkPadFor delivering the first operational seasteading resort, proving a real-world, guest-ready model for living on the water.
Also nominated: Jordi Llonch Esteve, Patrick Hiebert
Humanitarian Award
Massimo MazzoneCiudad MorazánFor building the first Free City for blue-collar workers, self-funding the project and improving the lives of low-income families near Choloma.
Also nominated: Trey Goff, Iván Dubois
Storyteller Award
Joe QuirkSeasteading Author & AdvocateFor energetic and persuasive Free Cities storytelling across talks, books and media, which has turned many sceptics into supporters.
Also nominated: Yes Theory, Joyce Brand
Storyteller Award
Alex UgorjiFree Cities EntrepreneurFor his Morazán Monday series and his sustained commentary on ZEDEs, Honduras and Ciudad Morazán, the aspiring Free City where he lives.
Also nominated: Mikkel Thorup, Carl Peterson
Intentional Community Award
MonteliberoIntentional Community · MontenegroAccepted by Tatiana Butanka
For a community in Montenegro committed to personal freedom and self-governance, which completed its first apartment block and launched its own court service.
Also nominated: Free Commune of Penadexo, Liberstad
Free City Pioneer Award
PrósperaSpecial Jurisdiction · HondurasAccepted by Gabriel Delgado-Ayau
For its legal and regulatory groundwork and the businesses it has drawn to Roatán, in fields from gene therapy to smart manufacturing, and for completing the Duna Residences and welcoming their first residents.
Also nominated: Ciudad Morazán, Liberland
The award categories
Pioneer Award
For a significant contribution to an established Free City project. It celebrates the pioneering work that brings a self-governing city into being and keeps it growing.
The most prestigious of the awards. Presented in 2024 as the Free City Pioneer Award.
- 2026Erick Brimen
- 2024Próspera
Builder Award
For the people who turn a plan into a place. It recognises the architects, developers and administrators who deliver the physical and institutional fabric a new city runs on.
- 2026Oliver W. Porter
Intentional Community Award
For significant contributions to the development of intentional communities. It honours those building and sustaining communities around shared values, mutual cooperation and voluntary living.
- 2024Montelibero
Innovation Award
For a new idea, product or model that widens what a special jurisdiction can do. It covers governance technology as readily as the ventures that only such a place makes possible.
- 2026Niklas Anzinger
- 2025Mitchell Suchner
Storyteller Award
For outstanding work raising awareness through storytelling, in publications, film, podcasts or social media. It recognises those who have brought the Free Cities movement to a wider public.
- 2026Christoph Heuermann
- 2025Joe Quirk
- 2024Alex Ugorji
Humanitarian Award
For work that puts the tools of a Free City at the service of the people with the fewest options, through housing, jobs, safety, health or education.
- 2025Massimo Mazzone