Project aimed at nurturing and showcasing innate skills and abilities
The Landshut region received a significant boost with the announcement of the continuation funding for the MINT cluster, a collaborative initiative aimed at fostering mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology (MINT) among children and young people.
The MINT cluster, a partnership between the city of Landshut, MINT Forum Bavaria, University of Landshut, Silicon Vilstal, World Acre Landshut, and DOM, among others, has secured funding until 31 August 2027. This extension ensures the preservation of existing structures and enables further development, making the cluster more future-proof and independent of funding periods.
The goal of the MINT cluster is twofold: to inspire children and young people aged 8 to 16 for MINT subjects, and to make the cluster structurally and financially sustainable. The success of the project, which began in September 2022, can be attributed to the voluntary commitment of its partners, with over 675 coach deployments so far.
Since its inception, over 6,000 children and young people have participated in various formats of the project, including the annual regional MINT day. This significant event, organized by the cluster, features science shows, practical workshops, company info stands, and special attractions like the "Innotruck" of the BMBF.
The strategic expansion of the MINT cluster from 2025 to 2027 involves the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, the Fraunhofer Institute, the Regional Association of the Palatinate, and several regional schools and companies. The focus during this period will be on consolidating existing MINT offerings and strategically expanding the network in the region.
In parallel with the MINT cluster, the "Child-friendly Municipality" Landshut starts into a second project phase. This project, which aims to make MINT tangible for children, young people, and their parents, has established a strong extra-curricular educational offering since its inception.
The ultimate goal of the MINT cluster is to open up future-oriented perspectives for the children and young people it inspires, contributing to long-term skilled workforce security in the Landshut region. The continuation funding from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) until 31 August 2027, is an important signal for the region, signalling a commitment to the development and growth of the MINT cluster.
