Harpswell ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit 2026 in Cambodia
Country: Cambodia
Organization: Harpswell
Program: Harpswell ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit
Category: Leadership Summit
Deadline: 19 April 2026
Eligibility: Women aged 25 to 35 from ASEAN countries, Nepal, and Papua New Guinea
Applications are open for the 2026 Harpswell ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit. Harpswell describes it as an annual programme founded in 2017 that brings together a cohort of 36+ young women for a five-month leadership development and professional networking experience, ending with a week-long in-person gathering.
Program Overview
The official page states that the Summit brings together participants representing the countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as Nepal. For 2026, the programme expands to include participants from Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea.
Purpose
According to Harpswell, the Summit is designed to advance positive change in Southeast Asia by building a network of women leaders with a strong understanding of the ASEAN region and meaningful long-term relationships across borders. The programme is structured as a mix of lectures, workshops, site visits, and group activities.
Duration
The Summit runs as a five-month leadership development and professional networking programme. The official page also says the 2026 format includes a virtual phase from July to October 2026 and an in-person gathering from 30 October to 8 November 2026.
Virtual Component
During the virtual phase, the programme hosts twice-monthly two-hour virtual learning sessions. Harpswell states that these sessions are intended to build the cohort’s relationships to themselves, one another, and the region. The page also notes that all virtual activities take place outside regular business hours.
In-Person Component
The in-person part of the programme takes place in Phnom Penh. The page says the cohort gathers there for one week of collaboration, exploration, and networking, and that many trainers and facilitators from the virtual phase also join this face-to-face element.
Additional Opportunity
After five days as a Summit cohort exploring the Inner Development Goals, 2026 participants will have the opportunity to join IKAT 2026, described on the page as Harpswell’s inaugural gathering for women leaders working in and for Southeast Asia.
Benefits
Harpswell states that it covers all travel, meals, and accommodation for participants. The page also says that following the Summit, women leaders are eligible to apply for Social Impact Grants.
Eligibility
The official source welcomes applications from women aged 25 to 35 from ASEAN countries, Nepal, and Papua New Guinea. Applicants should demonstrate a keen interest in social change and women’s leadership, leadership potential through academic achievement or professional accomplishment, willingness to share, explore, and grow in self-identity, cultural diversity, and worldview, curiosity about the experiences of others in the region, and strong English language skills.
Diversity
Harpswell states that it is committed to gathering a diverse and inclusive cohort and welcomes applicants from any race, ethnicity, social background, religion, disability, and sexual orientation.
Application Deadline
Applications are open until 19 April 2026.
Information Session
The page lists a virtual information session on Tuesday, 24 March 2026 at 7:30 PM ICT. It says the session is for those interested in learning more about the programme experience, eligibility, and application process, and that attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with the team.
Contact
For questions, the official page directs applicants to Summit Senior Administrator Dr. Leila Mohajer at leila@harpswell.org.
