The paper focuses on a significant issue of modern management practice - the direct participation of individuals, groups and communities in decision-making for effective management of resources. The concept of “co-management”, which allows users to participate in these processes as well, has attracted the attention of researchers with a view to finding a balanced approach between the growing need for natural resources and environmental protection. The authors, as a result of an in-depth analysis of the concept of regional sustainable development, the normative framework in the social sphere and the processes of implementing co-management in Bulgaria, present the results of a field study on the construction of co-management networks. The research approach can be defined as mixed because it combines qualitative and quantitative research methods. Variational and graphical analysis were used as the main statistical methods of analysis in a broad survey. The conclusions and recommendations made support the thesis that the active collaboration of all interested parties in the management of social activities at the regional level ensures a better alignment of policies with the real needs of the participants themselves. This creates prerequisites for a more adequate and fair distribution of resources and supports the achievement of sustainability of social development.