Some have declared independence or held a referendum on independence but remain unrecognised by the larger sovereign state in which they exist.
Only a selection of peoples and states seeking independence have been included in this compendium, representing a fraction of the nearly 420 peoples and ethnic groups worldwide seeking recognition, greater autonomy, or independence.

Certain states have been excluded from this list for various reasons. States such as Kosovo and Taiwan, both members of the UNPO, are recognised by some UN member states but not by others. Israel, Palestine, and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic are excluded for the same reason. States with insufficient available references to verify their inclusion have also been excluded, though they may be added later if sufficient information becomes available.

As there is no universally accepted definition of "nation," "state," or "country," this subject remains a source of ongoing debate and discussion.
This project began in 2017 as a personal passion project, an attempt to map and understand the peoples and nations around the world still seeking a place on it. Since then, the world has shifted in ways few could have predicted: borders have hardened, nationalism has resurged, and division has, in many places, deepened.

And yet, the same years have also shown how resilient and resourceful communities can be in keeping their identity, culture, and voice alive, even without formal recognition. This project remains a small attempt to document that persistence, not to take a side, but to give visibility to stories that often go untold.