progress, one step at a time

About

At kutwa (خطوة) we embrace the journey of progress. We know change is not linear, but layered, and we show up for every step. Backed by a global network of professionals, our teams bring diverse technical skills and lived experiences that help our clients deliver progress in communities around the world.

kutwa is a tailored consulting service that supports community oriented projects led by businesses, governments, international organizations, or local non-profits. Our experts provide services across four pillars: research and evaluation, design and implementation, capacity strengthening or training, and strategy development and facilitation. In our portfolio you will see references to:

Program evaluations
Literature reviews
Training content or curricula
Program strategies
Learning workshops

Meet the founders

As independent consultants, our work is built on a deliberate partnership that brings together complementary perspectives, methods, and areas of expertise. We believe that the challenges our clients face require both rigorous analysis and human-centered approaches.

Mohamed brings a background in evaluation, conflict sensitivity, and systems thinking. Dania brings clinical training, MHPSS expertise, and a deep understanding of trauma and community wellbeing. Together, we design and deliver consulting services that are not only technically sound but also emotionally intelligent, contextually grounded, and responsive to real-world complexity.

By working together, we:

Bridge quantitative evidence with qualitative insight
Integrate trauma-informed practice into research and evaluation
Combine systems-level thinking with community-driven design
Adapt fluidly to both humanitarian and development contexts

Dania Fawaz

Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Specialist
Dania is a licensed psychotherapist with expertise in designing and implementing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programs in both humanitarian and development contexts. For over a decade, she has led the creation of evidence-based manuals and tools for organizations such as UNICEF, the International Rescue Committee, and USAID.
Her trauma-informed approach integrates social-emotional learning and creative arts therapies to help individuals build resilience and express themselves, even in the most challenging environments. Holding a Master’s in Art Psychotherapy from Goldsmiths, University of London, Dania is a licensed mental health practitioner in both the U.S. and U.K. She is passionate about equipping frontline practitioners with accessible, compassionate resources that center the needs and strengths of the communities they serve.
Mohamed Raouda

Evaluation & Conflict Management Specialist
Mohamed Raouda is a utilization-focused evaluator and conflict management expert with 15 years of experience working in fragile and conflict-affected regions within the Americas, Western Asia, and Africa. He has led evaluations of development programs in twelve countries and advises organizations and donors on effective, evidence-based programming.
He is a historian by training and holds degrees from the Pennsylvania State University and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He is trained in both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis.

Portfolio of Selected Projects

Arts-based MHPSS Toolkit Development

Toolkit Development | UNICEF | New York, Global, 2025
Developed UNICEF’s global evidence-based arts interventions package to support children’s mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in humanitarian and low-resource settings.
Social Cohesion and Stabilization Response

Advising Services | USAID Office of Transition Initiatives | Regional: Middle East & North Africa, 2024
Advised USAID leaders on strategy development for country and regional programs; facilitated workshops to support teams build monitoring, implementation, and evaluation systems; led mixed method evaluations of clusters of USAID activities.
Humanitarian Cash and Protection Response

Final Evaluation | Oxfam & Partners | Lebanon, 2020
Analyzed effectiveness of multi-sector cash and protection support for vulnerable households.
Support to Syrian-Led Associations in Lebanon

Baseline Assessment | Asmae & partners | Lebanon, 2019
Established baseline indicators for child protection and education programming in displacement contexts.
Focused Psychosocial Support for Women and Girls

Curriculum Review | International Rescue Committee | Lebanon, 2019
Assessed and updated life skills and PSS curricula to reflect changing needs in protracted crisis.
Youth Resilience in Urban Lebanon

Evaluations | International Alert | Lebanon, 2019
Measured impact of violence prevention and civic engagement projects in high-risk communities.
Livelihoods and Vocational Support for Youth

Final Evaluation | Right to Play | Lebanon, 2019
Reviewed vocational training initiatives aimed at improving job access for young people.
Graduate Training in M&E for Conflict Settings

Course Instruction | Johns Hopkins SAIS | Washington, DC, 2019
Led a practical course on evaluation methods in fragile and transitional contexts.
Decentralization and Local Governance in Lebanon

Final Evaluation | Democracy Reporting International | Lebanon, 2019
Evaluated civic participation and municipal engagement initiatives to support decentralization efforts.