Background In Slovenia, problems caused by invasive alien species (IAS) have been overlooked for many years, partly due to the lack of systematic research and monitoring, which has so far only provided limited data to evaluate trends. A 2012 survey revealed that, between 2000 and 2011, the number of alien plant species increased by 11% while alien animal species increased by 22%. Several IAS invade forests and affect tree health or alter ecosystem structures and functions. It is therefore essential to set up an efficient early warning system to enable foresters to limit further ecological and economic damage. Objectives The LIFE ARTEMIS project aims to contribute to the reduction of the harmful impacts of IAS on biodiversity by increasing public awareness and by setting up an efficient early warning and rapid response (EWRR) system to manage their impacts on forests. The specific objectives of the project are as follows: Increase awareness among the general public and forest owners on the question of IAS in forests; Establish a national institutional framework and information system for early detection and rapid response (EWRR) to alien species in forests; and Improve national capacity to manage the EWRR by mobilising and training both professionals and volunteers. The project will contribute significantly to achieving Target 5 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, specifically in terms of identifying IAS and their pathways by 2020, controlling or eradicating priority species and managing pathways to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS. The project will also directly contribute to the implementation of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014) and to the EU Forest Strategy: for forests and the forest-based sector (COM (2013) 659 final). Expected results: The project expects to achieve the following results: A 20% increase in Slovenian public awareness of IAS, with 27 000 people participating in at least one of the campaign events; 450 professionals and 350 volunteers trained to actively participate in the EWRR by detecting and reporting IAS in forests; The establishment of a national information system for collecting data on forest IAS, with at least 30 000 observations; Participation of at least 80 volunteers in site-based actions to mitigate IAS impacts in an urban protected area of 509 ha. They will help create an inventory of alien plants and remove IAS from at least 20 ha of high-priority sites within the urban protected area; Involvement of at least 50 stakeholders in developing a long-term IAS Action Plan for the urban protected area; Participation of at least 225 forest owners in events dedicated to canker on maple trees - at least 50% of the maple trees infected with canker will be subsequently felled by the landowners; and Establishment of long-term cooperation and data exchange with the forestry institutions of the four neighbouring countries (Austria, Croatia, Hungary and Italy).