https://www.systeminnovation.org/blog/five-lessons-from-system-shifters-lesson-three
Small, localized areas or systems within a larger, chaotic environment that exhibit a high degree of order, stability, and functionality. These “islands” can influence the broader system by serving as models of coherence and potentially catalyzing wider systemic change. The concept is often used in discussions about social, ecological, and organizational systems to highlight how pockets of stability and innovation can drive transformation in larger, more complex systems. (Open Civics)