On February 23, 2026 the liberal think tank European Center of Austrian Economics Foundation (ECAEF) awarded the eighteenth Vernon Smith Prize to winners from Germany, Nigeria, Peru and Spain.
With great pleasure H.S.H. Prince Philipp of Liechtenstein (ECAEF board member) and H.S.H. Prince Michael of Liechtenstein (ECAEF president) awarded the International Vernon Smith Prize to:
- Andres Ruiz Benito (Spain) first prize with a prize money of EUR 4'000
- Vincent Czyrnik (Germany) second prize with a prize money of EUR 3'000
- Abul-Wasiu Abdul-Ganiyy Olanrewaju (Nigeria) third prize in co-placement with a prize money of EUR 2'000
- Valeria Lucia Rios Sanchez (Peru) third prize in co-placement with a prize money of EUR 2'000
The ECAEF board members congratulate all winners on their success and thank all students who submitted their essays. Industrie- und Finanzkontor as sponsor of the International Vernon Smith Prize joins in the congratulations.
Photo @ Silvia Abderhalden c/o magazine exclusiv
Photo caption (f.l.t.r.): H.S.H. Prince Philipp of Liechtenstein (ECAEF-board member), Andres Ruiz Benito (winner 1. prize), Valeria L. Rios Sanchez (winner 3. prize co-placement), Prof. Michael Esfeld (keynote speech), H.S.H. Prince Michael von und zu Liechtenstein (ECAEF-president), Vincent Czyrnik (winner 2. prize) ¦ Abdul-Wasiu Abdul-Ganiyy Olanrewaju (winner 3. prize co-placement) is not on the photo