Appeals in Public Procurement Procedures, in the Context of Sustainability and Economic Resilience

Abstract

Appeals, in public procurement procedures, are an essential mechanism to ensure transparency and respect for competition principles. The aim of the research is to analyze the influence of appeals on the efficiency of procurement processes, economic sustainability and resilience of projects financed from public funds. The methodology applied in this study includes a comparative and qualitative analysis of the procedural framework and practices in two European countries: France and Estonia. The study examines the impact of appeals on implementation deadlines, additional costs and the quality of decision-making by contracting authorities. The results show that, while appeals may cause delays, they contribute to correcting procedural deficiencies and strengthening institutional accountability. For example, in France, the existence of specialized administrative courts supports efficient dispute resolution, and in Estonia, extensive digitization supports transparency and the application of environmental criteria in procurement. The research findings argue that the existence of a clear and effective appeal mechanism is a key determinant in aligning public procurement processes with the principles of sustainability and economic resilience. UDC: 351.712; JEL: H57, F52, K22