The Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) promotes and coordinates research on global change in mountain regions around the world. In its 8 years of existence it has actively participated in the design of the international research agenda.The Global Change and Mountain Regions (GLOCHAMORE) Research Strategy, a product stemming from an FP6 Support Action, is at the core of the MRI. It identifies gaps and formulates priorities for future activities in mountain research. Through its regional networks MRI catalyzes the interdisciplinary research described in the GLOCHAMORE Strategy. Within the European network, the recent establishment of the science of Carpathians (S4C) initiatives is an encouraging signal for the strong will and interest of research communities to steer mountain research towards international and interdisciplinary collaboration. Mountain scientists working in the Balkan Region could take the Carpathian initiative as an example to build up a science network in and for Southeastern Europe.