This group carries out its scientific activity in three key work areas:
• Policy analysis (multi-level): priorities, values/conflicts, trade-offs, synergies, triggers, coalitions, etc.; the impact of policies on forest management and value chains; factors affecting the implementation of measures and the design of innovative mechanisms; and analysis of forest ownership.

• Social innovation and participation: multi-actor focus, co-creation and co-learning processes, future scenarios, sociocultural values, societal transformation, social inclusion and vulnerable groups, and the relationships between humans and nature.
• Forest bioeconomy (institutional economics): design and evaluation of funding mechanisms for services (outside the market), PES, property rights; social demand and provision of ecosystem services: environmental assessment, perceptions and social preferences; financial economy; the value chains of forest products and services; and business models.