An analysis of the key factors in the transition process affecting the forest sector in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. It designs strategies for sustainable development in these areas and attempts to strengthen selected trends in the forest sector in each country so that they may gradually achieve sustainability and create a market economy. The key factors are identified by making use of several different sources: scientific papers, interviews with experts from the three countries and the personal experiences of the co-authors living in the countries. The strategies propose options for improving forest management by optimizing forestry within closed production units. Further strategies deal with reorientation of forest planning, transition oriented labour management and acquisition of resources for forestry from state and markets.