Montage aims to build a new research network to address this gap. Centred on UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in northern Europe and the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) in Nepal, the partnership will develop shared approaches to understanding community-held cultural knowledge and the governance structures that influence its stewardship. A key ambition is to contribute to the nomination of Nepal’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in KCA, while also strengthening long-term collaboration between the participating regions.

Through networking activities, ‘mountain conversations’, and an international gathering to collectively define ‘cultural heritage in the making’ the project will exchange experiences of cultural heritage, climate adaptation and local governance across diverse mountain contexts. Montage will also generate the first systematic documentation of cultural heritage narratives in KCA. Insights will inform future research, partnership development and policy engagement with national and international stakeholders concerned with mountain futures.