Digital Social Innovation Lab: Co-Creating Tech-Driven Solutions for Inclusive Development in the Arab Region

 Social Innovation Lab: Co-Creating Tech-Driven Solutions for Inclusive
Development in the Arab Region.

As the Arab region experiences growing socio-economic challenges, including high youth unemployment, digital inequality, fragile governance systems, and climate vulnerability, there is an urgent need to develop inclusive, tech-driven solutions. Digital Social Innovation (DSI) offers a transformative approach by blending emerging technologies, human-centered design, and community participation to address complex problems sustainably and equitably.

The Series was designed to build the capacity of youth, civil society, startups, and public actors in the Arab region to co-create innovative digital solutions for pressing social and economic challenges, promoting inclusive, sustainable, and scalable impact.

Key Themes Include:

• Personal Development and life skills
• Introduction to fundraising
• Education in the 21st century
• Innovation
• Human-Centered Design
• Climate Change
• Water Scarcity
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Renewable Energy

Details: 

📅 Dates: 20, 21, 28, 29, 30 September and 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 October 2025

🌍 Language: (Arabic)

🎯 Target Audience: Youth, Women, Refugees, Civil Society, Startups, Public Sector

📌 Format: Duration: Hybrid (blended online & in-person sessions) 8–10 sessions

Each session of the Digital Social Innovation Lab featured an experience guest from a different  field who presented for 45 minutes, followed by a 75-minute session led by Dr. Mohammad Issa to integrate and apply the key learnings

🔹 Session 1: Personal Development and life skills

🗓 Date: 20th September  2025

💬 Language: (Arabic)

 In this session:

Expert: Mohamed Kamoun (Tunisia) University professor from Sousse with extensive experience in soft skills and personal development. He is the contact point for the SALTO Euromed Resource Center in Tunisia and President of the University Entrepreneurship Club, where he promotes innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship among youth.

📹 Watch the recording

🔹 Session 2: Introduction to Fundraising

🗓 Date: 21st September 2025

💬 Language: (Arabic)

In this session: 

Expert: Mostafa Mohamed (Egypt) Project Manager and Business Developer from Upper Egypt with over 12 years of experience in entrepreneurship, creative industries, and fundraising. He leads programs at Athar Accelerator, supporting green and tech startups, and youth and women’s empowerment initiatives. Drawing on his wide international experience, Mostafa’s session focused on practical fundraising tools and strategies to help entrepreneurs identify investors, approach donors, and build sustainable financial models for their ventures.

📹 Watch the recording

🔹 Session 3: Education in the 21st Century

🗓 Date: 28th September 2025

💬 Language: (Arabic)

In this session: 

Expert: Dr. Atef Ahmed (Egypt) Senior Education Advisor from Cairo with over 30 years of experience in education, youth development, and ICT integration. He has collaborated with international organizations such as USAID, the World Bank, and the EU, and led major initiatives like the UK-funded Digital Education Enhancement Project (DEEP). Dr. Ahmed’s session explored entrepreneurs’ educational and development needs in the tech sector, using a participatory approach to identify ways education and innovation can work together to support growth.

📹 Watch the recording

🔹 Session 4: Innovation

🗓 Date: 29th September 2025

💬 Language: (Arabic)

In this session: 

Expert: Munifah Alenezi (Saudi Arabia) Expert in creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with extensive experience empowering individuals and organizations to turn ideas into impactful solutions. In her session on Creativity and Innovation for Social Impact, Munifah shared practical tools, approaches, and case studies from the Saudi and regional ecosystem, inspiring participants to use creativity as a driver for social and digital transformation.

📹 Watch the recording

🔹 Session 5: Human-Centered Design

🗓 Date: 30th September 2025

💬 Language: (Arabic)

In this session: 

Expert: Dr. Mohammad Issa (Palestine) Social innovator and leader with over 20 years of experience in community development, youth empowerment, and social impact. He is President of Creativity Lab Palestine and a Board Member of Talk To Loop, actively promoting innovation and lifelong learning through global initiatives. In his session, Dr. Issa introduced participants to Human-Centered Design, emphasizing creative problem-solving and user-driven approaches to develop impactful and sustainable social solutions.

📹 Watch the recording

🔹 Session 6: Climate Change

🗓 Date: 1st October 2025

💬 Language: (Arabic)

In this session: 

Expert: Rami Eljundi (Jordan)

BA in Communication Media from the University of Houston (USA) & a BSc in Chemical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin (USA), Rami is a communications and media consultant with expertise in bilingual content management (English & Arabic), research, environment, sustainable development, and corporate communications, capitalizing on richly diverse regional & international exposure. He brings experience in CSR, environmental advocacy, strategy, and project management. In this session, he has addressed climate change & global warming challenges and shed the light upon innovative, community-driven solutions for environmental sustainability, resilience & out-of-the-box way of 360-analysis, thinking & resolving.

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🔹 Session 7: Water Scarcity

🗓 Date: 2nd October 2025

💬 Language: (Arabic)

In this session: 

Expert: Dr. Ola Al-Hadid (Jordan)
PhD in Business Administration from the University of Sheffield, Dr. Al-Hadid specializes in sustainable development, natural resource management, and organizational sustainability practices. She teaches courses on Sustainable Development Management and Sustainability in Entrepreneurial Organizations. In this session, she focused on water scarcity, exploring strategies for effective water resource management, climate resilience, and integrating gender considerations in sustainability efforts.

📹 Watch the recording

🔹 Session 8: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

🗓 Date: 4th October 2025

💬 Language: (Arabic)

In this session: 

Expert: Tahani Alhajri (Saudi Arabia)
Author of three books, including The Change Makers Guide, entrepreneurship educator, and social impact trainer with 10 years’ experience in incubation and acceleration programs. Holding an MSc in International Business and Finance from the University of Derby (UK), Tahani’s session focused on the SDGs, exploring practical approaches for integrating sustainability and social impact into entrepreneurial initiatives.

📹 Watch the recording

🔹 Session 9: Renewable Energy

🗓 Date: 5th October 2025

💬 Language: (Arabic)

In this session: 

Expert: Mohammad Al-Matarneh (Jordan)
Electrical Engineer with a Master’s in Renewable Energy Engineering Management and over 12 years’ experience in designing and implementing large-scale renewable energy projects. His expertise includes solar PV systems, geothermal energy, and energy management strategies. In this session, Mohammad shared insights on sustainable energy solutions, system optimization, and practical approaches for integrating renewable energy into projects for social and environmental impact.

📹 Watch the recording 

🔹 Session 10: Human-Centered Design (Wrap-Up & Integration)

🗓 Date: 6th October 2025

💬 Language: (Arabic)

In this session: 

Expert: Dr. Mohammad Issa (Palestine)
Dr. Issa led the session to integrate all previous workshops. Guided participants in applying Human-Centered Design principles to synthesize ideas, develop practical solutions, and ensure projects are user-focused, innovative, and socially impactful.

📹 Watch the recording

Pitch Session – 13 October 2025

On 13 October, an online pitch session was held, featuring 13 innovative projects from 8 different countries, reflecting the program’s strong diversity and the wide-reaching impact of its participants. The session was evaluated by a distinguished jury: Ms. Joelle Yazbeck (Acting Director of ETC), Ms. Tahani Alhajri (social impact trainer), and Mr. Elie Al-Akhrass (entrepreneurship acceleration and investment readiness).

Winners Announcement 🏆: The session highlighted the creativity, social impact, and sustainability potential of the projects, demonstrating the program’s commitment to nurturing diverse solutions for pressing regional challenges. Check the winners below: 👇

(Lebanon): Converts organic waste into clean energy and biofertilizer using compact biogas units, promoting circular energy and reducing emissions.

(Palestine): Transforms cardboard and paper waste into eco-friendly heating blocks for low-income areas, supported by a digital tracking platform and incentive system.

(Egypt): A digital platform facilitating inclusion in education and society, connecting families with specialists and centers to ensure equitable access.

The Distinguished jury: Ms. Joelle Yazbeck (Acting Director, ESCWA Technology Centre), Ms. Tahani Alhajri (Social Impact Trainer), and Mr. Elie Al-Akhrass (Entrepreneurship Acceleration and Investment Readiness Expert).