Free Cities Awards 2026: Winners Announced in Próspera, Honduras

The 2026 Free Cities Awards were presented on September 4 at the Infinita Dome in Próspera, on the second day of the Free Cities Conference. It was the first time the ceremony took place inside a Free City. Titus Gebel, founder of the Free Cities Foundation, handed out four awards.

The first two ceremonies were held in Prague, in 2024 and 2025. This year the conference moved to Próspera, where several of this year’s nominees live and work.

Pioneer Award: Erick Brimen, CEO of Próspera

The Pioneer Award is the most prestigious of the awards. It went to Erick Brimen, founder and CEO of Próspera, for leading Próspera through major legal and political challenges while continuing to advance one of the world’s most ambitious Free City projects.

Brimen has led Próspera’s development since 2017. The zone opened in 2020 on the island of Roatán with its own regulatory system, courts and taxes, and this September it hosted the Free Cities Conference.

Also shortlisted: Ursula Frederick and Tim Stern.

Builder Award: Oliver W. Porter, architect of the Sandy Springs model

The Builder Award is new this year. It recognises the architects, developers and administrators who turn a plan into a working city.

Oliver W. Porter is its first winner, for pioneering and implementing the public-private municipal model associated with Sandy Springs, Georgia, and demonstrating in practice how a city can be administered by private providers. Sandy Springs became a city in 2005 and bought in nearly all of its municipal services under contract. Porter chaired the charter commission and served as the volunteer interim city manager. Other cities in Georgia copied the model, and he has written three books about it.

Also shortlisted: Max Medina and Ivan Syrtsov.

Innovation Award: Niklas Anzinger, building the Próspera ecosystem

Niklas Anzinger won the Innovation Award for connecting frontier companies, longevity research and strategic partners to create new opportunities and expand innovation within the Próspera ecosystem.

Anzinger moved to Próspera himself. He founded Infinita VC, which invests in startup cities, network states and longevity biotech, and Infinita City, a network city for longevity research in Próspera. He also hosts the Stranded Technologies Podcast.

Also shortlisted: Dušan Matuška and Patrick Hiebert.

Storyteller Award: Christoph Heuermann and the Freedom Ranking Index

Christoph Heuermann won the Storyteller Award for creating the Freedom Ranking Index and communicating the value of governance competition and global mobility through compelling research and strong public engagement. Danny Hertle accepted the award on his behalf.

Heuermann publishes in German as Staatenlos and in English at denationalize.me, and advises clients on emigration and flag theory: spreading citizenship, residence, business and assets across several countries. He has visited every country in the world.

Also shortlisted: Virginia Mann and Jeremy Kauffman.

Congratulations to all twelve nominees. Nominations for the Free Cities Awards come from the community, a jury shortlists three in each category, and the winners are announced on stage at the conference.

You can put a name forward for next year on our awards page.