A structured framework for assessing participatory processes in forest management: a pilot application in Italy and Slovenia

Sustainable forest management plays a strategic role in addressing global challenges such as biodiversity loss and climate change. Traditional top-down approaches in forest management have often failed to address all dimensions of sustainability. Recently, bottom-up approaches, which aim to encourage a more inclusive involvement of stakeholders (local communities, forest owners, and managers), have become increasingly popular. However, evaluating and monitoring of participatory processes can be challenging due to their complex and multifaceted nature. In this study, a qualitative-quantitative evaluation framework for assessing participatory processes was developed and pilot-tested in ten case studies in Italy and Slovenia. The framework includes a set of indicators derived from the literature, which were assessed through semi-structured interviews using categorical coding and Likert-scale scoring, and subsequently analysed through descriptive statistics and exploratory multiple correspondence analysis. The case studies covered different scales, from national to local, and encompassed participatory processes in both forest policy and forest management planning. The results showed considerable heterogeneity, but also some common trends: inclusiveness, transparency and valorisation of local knowledge are among the main strengths, while common critical issues concern the structure of the process and the lack of systematic monitoring. The results regarding the three pillars of sustainability showed that the focus was mainly on the environmental and social dimension, while the economic dimensions was neglected. The exploratory multiple correspondence analysis suggested three typological tendencies among the ten selected participatory processes in Slovenia and Italy: highly participatory, formal and consultative, and localised and adaptive processes.