This project aims to provide digital literacy workshops for refugees...
About Us

Who we are.
We are a global consultancy bridging the gap between Western expertise and local knowledge. We co-create impactful solutions with NGOs, INGOs, and development actors, focusing on community-driven development, culturally sensitive consulting, capacity building, project delivery, strategic impact, and ESG integration.
We offer exceptional service in media, training, project management, and business development, prioritising client satisfaction with the highest professionalism.
Our Projects
Social Media and Social Entrepreneurship training – Syria 2017
We aimed to enhance communication skills and empower Syrian youth...
Training Collaboration with the IECD 2018
We enhanced the capacity of non-profit organizations through training programs...
1000 Dreams Project
We proudly contributed to the groundbreaking 1000 Dreams project, which...
TEDx Event 2017
In 2017, we organised the first-ever TEDx event in Homs,...
Startup Weekend – Syria 2018
In 2018, we led the first-ever Startup Weekend in Homs,...
Meet our team

Founder and Director
Alaa is the founder and director of Social By Design, Alaa brings over eight years of experience in the international development sector, working with NGOs and UN agencies across Europe, the Middle East, and the UK.

Managing Partner
Over five years of experience in fundraising, partnership development, and project management within the social impact and sustainability sectors.

Research and Development Manager
Mohamed is a climate change and disaster risk reduction expert with a background in research, project leadership, and non-profit management across the Middle East and internationally.

SAMER KILANI
Information Security Manager
With over 20 years in IT and cybersecurity, this highly credentialed professional holds certifications such as CISSP, CISA, ITIL Expert, CEH, and MCSE. Certified as an Instructor in the “Cybersecurity Specialist” Program at “Al Mobdioon Center” at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia, providing industry-aligned knowledge and skills to the next generation of cybersecurity specialists.

Nour Edrees
Administrative Assistant Volunteer
Nour is an experienced professional specializing in administration, project management, and organizational support. With a strong background in coordinating processes and providing essential documentation, Nour excels in ensuring smooth operations within teams. Skilled in translation and interpretation between Arabic and English, Nour is dedicated to fostering cross-cultural communication with a focus on accuracy.

Dhuha Faris
Administrative Assistant Volunteer
Duha is a results-driven public relations and media professional with a diverse background in media, entrepreneurship, and communication. She has extensive experience in editing, proofreading, and providing managerial support, along with a proven track record in developing and executing media campaigns, managing social media platforms, and organizing events and conferences.
Associate consultants

Economic Recovery Specialist and Leadership Advisor
Edward is a humanitarian consultant with over 15 years of experience in Financial Assistance, Economic Recovery, and Market System Approaches (MSA). His expertise includes policy development, external engagement, thematic research, and strategic analysis.

M&E Specialist
With over 10 years of work experience in research, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (RMEAL), I am passionate about empowering children and communities through data-driven and participatory approaches. As the MEAL Manager at Save the Children Poland, I oversee the design, implementation, and quality assurance of RMEAL systems and processes for various projects in Poland.

Research specialist
Fatima is an MSc student in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies at the London School of Economics (LSE), with over five years of experience working with international NGOs in Syria, including Action Against Hunger and the Aga Khan Development Network. Specializing in Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), Food Security, Livelihoods, and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), Fatima brings a wealth of knowledge to her humanitarian work.

Education Specialist
Currently a global education advisor with Concern Worldwide supporting education programmes in the Middle East, Asia and Francophone countries. Specific areas include education in emergencies, inclusive education, continuous teacher professional development, and measurement of education outcomes.

Financial and Project Management Specialist
Talal is an expert in financial and grants management with over ten years of experience in the international humanitarian sector. He holds an MSc in Political Economy of Development, an MBA, and certifications in CMA, PMP, and PRINCE2. Talal has worked extensively with institutional donors, managing complex funding processes, ensuring compliance, and overseeing financial operations.

Graphic Design Trainer Consultant
Art Director and Design Lead at APCO Worldwide in Abu Dhabi, with over a decade of experience in graphic design, advertising, and social media content creation. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Al Baath University.

Gender and Social Inclusion
Reem is a MEAL specialist with extensive experience in humanitarian and international development contexts. She has led large-scale needs assessments, gender analyses, and program evaluations, particularly during the Türkiye-Syria earthquake response for Oxfam GB.