CFAs: Women Leadership in ASEAN Leadership Development Program

Deadline: 05-Sep-2026

The Women Leadership in ASEAN Program 2026 offers women professionals from ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste a fully funded, in-person leadership development opportunity in Paris, France. The programme is designed to strengthen leadership, strategic thinking, professional influence, networking, and contributions to gender equality and regional cooperation.

What Is the Women Leadership in ASEAN Program?

The Women Leadership in ASEAN programme is an intensive leadership development initiative organised by the Embassy of France to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and ASEAN, in partnership with INSP and the ASEAN Secretariat.

The initiative addresses the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions across different professional sectors in Southeast Asia.

Following earlier online editions launched since 2021, the programme has developed into a France–ASEAN cooperation initiative that brings women professionals together for intensive training and peer networking in Paris.

Why It Matters

Women remain underrepresented in many leadership and decision-making positions.

The programme aims to help participants:

• Strengthen leadership capabilities.
• Improve strategic thinking.
• Develop professional influence.
• Build regional networks.
• Improve communication and personal branding.
• Exchange experiences with other women leaders.
• Support gender equality.
• Strengthen France–ASEAN cooperation.
• Create lasting professional relationships across the region.

Program Benefits

Selected participants will attend a week-long programme in Paris from 23 to 27 November 2026.

The programme is fully funded for selected participants, with all training-related costs covered.

Participants will benefit from:

• In-person leadership training.
• Expert-led theoretical sessions.
• Interactive workshops.
• Peer-to-peer learning.
• Case discussions.
• Professional networking.
• Strategic leadership tools.
• Personal branding guidance.
• Opportunities to develop regional connections.

Training and Learning Activities

The programme combines theoretical learning with practical leadership development.

Participants will take part in:

• Leadership theory sessions.
• Interactive workshops.
• Peer-to-peer exchanges.
• Real-life professional case discussions.
• Strategic thinking exercises.
• Influence-building activities.
• Network development sessions.
• Personal branding activities.

The training is designed to provide practical tools that participants can apply in their professional environments.

Expert Leadership Training

The programme includes expert trainers specialising in women’s leadership and professional development.

One of the featured trainers is Dr. Gisele Szczyglak, an executive coach and author with extensive experience in mentoring and leadership development.

Her expertise contributes to the programme’s focus on leadership development, professional influence and women’s advancement.

Who Is Eligible?

The programme is intended for women professionals from ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a woman professional.
• Be from an ASEAN Member State or Timor-Leste.
• Be approximately 30 to 45 years old.
• Have at least five years of professional experience.
• Hold a professional leadership position or demonstrate leadership responsibilities.
• Be fluent in English at a minimum B2 level.
• Be available to participate in the entire programme in Paris from 23–27 November 2026.

Eligible Professional Backgrounds

The programme welcomes women working across different sectors.

Potential applicants include:

• Civil servants.
• Business executives.
• NGO leaders.
• Journalists.
• Researchers.
• Other women professionals with demonstrated leadership responsibilities.

The programme is not restricted to one professional field.

Leadership and Gender Equality Experience

Selection considers more than professional seniority.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

• Professional achievements.
• Leadership experience.
• Contributions to gender equality.
• Contributions to regional cooperation.
• Motivation for participating.
• Clear professional development goals.

Experience that demonstrates a commitment to improving opportunities for women or strengthening regional collaboration can be particularly relevant.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit two main documents:

• CV or résumé.
• Motivation essay of no more than 500 words.

The application materials should clearly demonstrate the applicant’s professional background, leadership experience and reasons for seeking participation.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare their application around their leadership experience and future professional goals.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Check that you:

1. Are a woman professional.
2. Are from an ASEAN Member State or Timor-Leste.
3. Are between 30 and 45 years old.
4. Have at least five years of professional experience.
5. Meet the English-language requirement.
6. Can attend the full programme in Paris.

Step 2: Prepare Your CV

Your CV should clearly present:

• Current position.
• Professional experience.
• Leadership responsibilities.
• Major achievements.
• Relevant projects.
• Contributions to gender equality.
• Regional or international cooperation experience.

Step 3: Write the Motivation Essay

The motivation essay must be no longer than 500 words.

It should explain:

• Why you want to join the programme.
• Your leadership experience.
• Your professional ambitions.
• How the training will strengthen your career.
• How you intend to use the experience after returning to your professional environment.
• Your interest in gender equality and regional cooperation.

Step 4: Demonstrate Your Impact

Use specific examples rather than general statements.

For example, explain a project you led, a team you managed, a policy initiative you contributed to, or an activity through which you advanced gender equality or regional cooperation.

Step 5: Submit the Complete Application

Review the CV and motivation essay carefully before submission and ensure that all required information is provided.

Selection Criteria

Selection is based on the overall strength of the applicant and application materials.

Key considerations include:

• Professional achievements.
• Leadership experience.
• Contribution to gender equality.
• Contribution to regional cooperation.
• Quality of the CV.
• Quality and relevance of the motivation essay.

Applicants should demonstrate both existing leadership capacity and potential for greater professional influence.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their applications by:

• Highlighting measurable professional achievements.
• Giving concrete examples of leadership.
• Connecting past experience with future goals.
• Demonstrating a genuine commitment to gender equality.
• Explaining how regional networks could benefit their work.
• Keeping the motivation essay focused and within the 500-word limit.
• Showing why this specific programme is relevant to their career.
• Demonstrating readiness to actively participate in peer learning.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting a motivation essay longer than 500 words.
• Providing a generic CV without leadership achievements.
• Describing responsibilities without demonstrating impact.
• Failing to explain professional goals.
• Ignoring the gender equality or regional cooperation dimensions.
• Applying without confirming the age and experience requirements.
• Indicating availability for only part of the Paris programme.
• Using vague statements instead of concrete professional examples.

Programme Details at a Glance

• Programme: Women Leadership in ASEAN
• Location: Paris, France
• Dates: 23–27 November 2026
• Format: In-person
• Duration: One week
• Target group: Women professionals
• Eligible locations: ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste
• Age: 30–45 years
• Professional experience: Minimum five years
• English: Minimum B2 level
• Funding: Training-related costs fully covered
• Application documents: CV and motivation essay
• Essay limit: 500 words

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Women Leadership in ASEAN Program?

It is a leadership development programme organised by the Embassy of France in partnership with INSP and the ASEAN Secretariat to strengthen women’s leadership and regional professional networks.

Who can participate?

Women professionals from ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste who meet the age, professional experience, English-language and leadership requirements can apply.

Is the programme fully funded?

Yes. Training-related costs are fully covered for selected participants.

Where will the programme take place?

The programme will take place in person in Paris, France.

When will the training take place?

The programme is scheduled for 23–27 November 2026.

What documents are required?

Applicants must submit a CV and a motivation essay of no more than 500 words.

How are applicants selected?

Selection considers professional achievements, leadership experience, contributions to gender equality and regional cooperation, and the overall quality of the application.

Conclusion

The Women Leadership in ASEAN Program 2026 offers women professionals from ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste a valuable opportunity to strengthen leadership capabilities, build regional networks and develop greater professional influence.

The fully funded, in-person programme in Paris will combine expert training, practical workshops, peer exchange and real-world case discussions. Candidates who meet the 30–45 age requirement, have at least five years of professional experience, demonstrate leadership potential and contribute to gender equality or regional cooperation should prepare a focused CV and a strong motivation essay explaining their professional ambitions and expected impact.

For more information, visit Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia.