The paper deals with the issue of sustainable development in three territories with important natural-landscape and cultural landscape values (Lower Morava river region, Tatras region, and Eastern Carpathians region). In all three cases the protected areas constitute parts of the regions studied. Reflections about the social and economic dimension of sustainable development resulted in the analysis and comparison of recent situation on the basis of subjective estimates by its population. The research (questionnaire technique) was focused on perception of environmental problems, perception of communitys milieu, estimation of the social infrastructure accessibility and quality, willingness of inhabitants to contribute to sustainable development, and on the evaluation of the opinion about the programme of economically, socially and environmentally balanced (i.e. sustainable) development of the community. The analysis of perception, evaluation and expectations shows some similarities and numerous dissimilarities. Partly they reflect objective situation and needs in the regions. On the other hand they are also influenced by the level of environmental awareness, diffusion of innovation and experiences in the field of community life participation. The paper is concluded with the list of the most important challenges for protected areas from the sustainability perspective.