Public procurement in Ukraine: essence, types, and stages of implementation

Introduction. The effectiveness of public administration largely depends on the transparency and efficiency of public procurement, which ensures the implementation of state programs and meets the needs of government bodies and municipal institutions. Properly organized procurement contributes to the rational use of budget funds, reduces corruption risks, and strengthens citizens’ trust in the state. Therefore, the need to examine the current state of the public procurement system, identify its strengths and weaknesses, and develop practical recommendations for improving procedures determines the relevance of the topic and its importance for enhancing the efficient use of budget funds and fostering a competitive environment. The purpose of the paper is to identify and systematize modern procedures and electronic mechanisms of public procurement in Ukraine, evaluate their efficiency and transparency, and develop practical recommendations to enhance the efficiency of public spending and promote competitiveness in the public procurement market. Results. The analysis of Ukraine’s public procurement system revealed significant improvements in transparency, competitiveness, and efficiency following the implementation of electronic mechanisms, particularly the Prozorro system and Prozorro Market platform. The study classified procurement procedures into open tenders, competitive dialogue, negotiated procedures, simplified procurement, and defense procurement, highlighting the specific purposes, advantages, and limitations of each. Statistical data from Prozorro indicate a steady increase in the number and volume of procurement transactions conducted through electronic platforms, reflecting greater openness and control over the use of budgetary funds. Open tenders ensure maximum competition and cost-effectiveness, while competitive dialogue and negotiated procedures provide flexibility for complex procurements requiring detailed specifications and stakeholder engagement. Simplified and defense procurement procedures demonstrated high efficiency in urgent or specialized cases, allowing rapid response while maintaining legal compliance. Legislative reforms and government strategies between 2022 and 2024 are also analyzed. These reforms introduced measures aimed at harmonizing Ukrainian procurement regulations with EU directives. As a result, procurement efficiency has increased, corruption risks have been minimized, and trust in public institutions has been strengthened. Overall, the results confirm that the combination of legal modernization, procedural diversification, and digitalization of procurement processes contributes to a more transparent, competitive, and effective public procurement system in Ukraine. Conclusion. The effective functioning of Ukraine’s public procurement system is a key factor in ensuring transparency, competitiveness, and efficiency in the use of state funds. The analysis of legal, organizational, and electronic mechanisms, particularly the Prozorro system and Prozorro Market platform, confirms that digitalization and open procedures significantly improve control over budget expenditures, reduce corruption risks, and foster competition in the procurement market. The classification of procurement procedures open tenders, competitive dialogue, negotiated procedures, simplified procurement, and defense procurement provides a clear framework for understanding the diversity and specificity of modern public procurement in Ukraine. Legislative changes and government strategies implemented from 2022 to 2024 show the state’s commitment to harmonizing national procurement regulations with EU standards and enhancing the professional competence of participants.