Objectives

The 3MC project was launched in October 2019 and ran until September 2022, uniting experts across Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The primary goal of 3MC was to raise public awareness of the importance of the three Nordic Mountain Cattle breeds by uncovering and communicating their shared history, cultural significance, and genetic heritage. By doing so, the project sought to highlight the value of these endangered native breeds and to support efforts for their long-term conservation and sustainable use in agriculture, tourism, and environmental management.

Interdisciplinary approach

To achieve its objectives, 3MC took an interdisciplinary approach, combining natural sciences (genetics and animal breeding) with social sciences and humanities (archaeology, history, cultural studies) to build a comprehensive understanding of the breeds’ past and present roles. The work was structured into six work packages (WPs), each focusing on a different aspect of the project’s mission – from communication and coordination to historical research, cultural heritage, genetic analyses, and educational tools. Collaboration across these WPs ensured that scientific findings, cultural insights, and historical data were integrated into a coherent narrative about the mountain cattle breeds.

Photo credit: Petri Saravuoma.