European forests are critical to carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, water quality, socio-demographic stability and economic revenue. The Slovenian Forestry Institute (SFI) is the main national forest research institute in Slovenia with well established European partnerships. SFI’s vision is to become a reference centre for Central and South-Eastern Europe in the European Forest Research and Innovation Area (EuFoRIA) and on a global scale. EUFORINNO is a mean for SFI to raise its scientific excellence and better exploit its innovative outputs (IP, scientific publishing and networking). The project focuses on filling in gaps in 4 RID sub-objectives (genetic monitoring; biodiversity and functional diversity; belowground complexity; and net ecosystem carbon exchange in time and space).EUFORINNO relies on 8 excellent research partners who support SFI in building its long-term strategy, welcome researchers for mobility trainings and participate to install new protocols, through on-site trainings on new methodologies, data analysis and interpretation, and writing skills.Measurable objectives are: equipment upgraded; 5 employees are recruited: 3 experienced scientists, 1 Innovation and IP manager and 1 technical editor, 43 visits of SFI researchers out for 54.5MM of mobilities, and 43 partners visits for 21MM; publishing (Silva Slovenica boosted); scientific networking (4 conferences, 10 trips to attend conferences); exploitation increase (regional and intercontinental); higher IP management (new office); dissemination (a website, 1 communication package, 8 newsletters); and management (1 RID strategy, 1 sustainability plan, 1 final ex-post evaluation).Support for EUFORINNO has been strongly expressed (9 letters of support of major importance).Expected outcomes are an increase of excellence; a deeper integration within the ERA and collaboration with end-users; the recognition of SFI as a research entity of major excellence; and an increase of forestry research excellence and awareness in Europe.