Exploring perceptions on participatory management of NATURA 2000 forest sites in Greece

•We explore perceptions on three alternative forest management scenarios in Greek forests•A collaborative framework where local and central actors cooperated with local communities was the most accepted•Social and institutional trust influence the level of acceptance for the collaborative option•The level of restriction perceived from each policy is linked with public acceptability

Several studies in the biodiversity management literature investigate the potential shift from state-based forest management to participatory management frameworks. A main challenge in this context is to identify social factors influencing the level of public acceptability towards co-management frameworks especially in countries where the state has had traditionally a very strong role in the management of natural resources. The present paper aims to investigate the social factors influencing the level of acceptability for participatory management frameworks in two forest protected areas of Greece differing in the date of their establishment: the Tzoumerka–Peristeri–Arachthos Gorge National Park and the Vikos–Aoos National Park. Specifically, through the distribution of a structured questionnaire to local communities, we explored the influence of social factors (trust in institutions, social trust and social networks) on citizens' perceptions for a shift in participatory management frameworks. Furthermore, we explore the restriction that citizens perceive from the implementation of such frameworks. According to the study, there is clear preference towards a collaborative management framework which is based on the cooperation of local communities with state actors. Social trust, social networks and institutional trust have a significant impact on citizens' perceptions, especially for collaborative management policies which promote the cooperation of local communities with public actors. Finally, the level of restriction that citizens perceive from each proposed policy is also linked with the level of acceptability.