Before starting the application, think about (and draft your thoughts on) the following:

• Leadership is not only management roles and work titles; it's all the roles that you hold in your home, school, community and workplace. Be ready to detail all the leadership roles you have held.
• Have a clear idea of your own leadership ambitions and the type of development issues on which you would like to lead change.
• We are interested in all development issues, not only those that are gender-based; think broadly and tell us about a development issue in your community, country or region that really interests you.
• You will be asked to explain how you would address this development issue during the program. Be ready to outline the issue and your plan to tackle it (or a small part of it). Think about what activities you would undertake, expected outcomes, possible timeframes, potential stakeholders, who in your existing network can help, what is already is being done in the region, and why this issue is important to you.
• To have a good understanding of the Women's Developmental Leadership Program, read through the profiles of current and past Women Leading and Influencing participants and download and read the online Women Leading and Influencing documents.
• If possible, attend a Learning & Networking event, ask questions, and network with organisers, the panel, and the audience.
• If you know a current or past participant, talk to them about the program and how to strengthen your application.
• Get a friend or colleague to proofread your draft answers to the longform questions (Below).
• Double check your spelling and grammar before you submit your application.