Bouwen aan sociaal innovatieve bottom-linked-governance in situaties met beperkte hulpbronnen. Pahawang Eiland in Indonesië als case study.

Emphasising Pahawang Island, Indonesia, this study looks at the establishment of socially innovative bottom-linked governance in resource-limited environments. The study investigates how local communities—especially young people and grassroots groups— cooperate using governance structures to solve external pressures and resource shortages. Two main causes drive these pressures: 1) the consumption of marine resources used by residents to benefit from but now exploited by large corporations, so creating a shortage of island resources; 2) the government's imposition of mass tourism without providing the means for developing suitable governance. The research contributes to advancing social innovation theory by emphasising community empowerment, capacity building, bargaining power, institutionalisation and involvement of youth as foundations for fostering sustainable development in geographically disadvantaged small islands. The study uses an embedded case study design and interdisciplinary methods to delve into how transformation in resource-deficient settings, particularly small islands, brings governance alteration over time. Drawing from the lens of social innovation and bottom-linked governance, local development, community capacity building, bargaining power, institutionalization and youth engagement, the study integrates theoretical, empirical, and methodological insights. Findings are organised around the central research question: to what extent and how do socially innovative practices negotiate and establish alternative governance structures to rebuild community capacity, empowerment, and bargaining power in resource-constrained small islands? The study spans chapters and reflects cross-cutting conclusions on three interrelated themes. First, it examines how small island bottom-linked governance first began to take root (Chapter 3). This theme explores Pahawang's ecotourism response to environmental deterioration and economic marginalisation. Results show that when local communities have the means to challenge institutional limitations, hence promoting grassroots empowerment and cooperative governance systems, community-based ecotourism is most successful. Second, with an eye towards dynamic community capacity building (DCCB) as a transforming process ( Chapters 3 and 5), the evolution of governance systems is underlined. This idea combines social innovation with community capacity building thereby enabling communities to move from passive recipients to active players in governance. Through innovative livelihood strategies and multi-scalar networking, youth-led projects are shown to be absolutely vital in promoting socio-environmental transformation. Third, to look into how locals can get back control over tourism governance by working with outsiders like investors and policymakers, Chapters 3 and 4 look into the institutionalisation of governance frameworks. This theme addresses how the attitudes of local elites change over time and how socially innovative ideas need to be incorporated into institutional systems to ensure their long-term viability. Although there are still numerous challenges, the research shows that Pahawang's inhabitants can use their local knowledge, negotiation skills, and networks of people to solve environmental and economic problems and trigger a transformation process for the better. The study highlights the emergence of grassroots initiatives, such as mangrove restoration and youth-led ecotourism, which balance ecological conservation with economic development. These initiatives illustrate the emergence of bottom-linked governance to transform marginalised communities into active agents of sustainable change. According to this research framework, bottom-linked governance is expanded by adding aspects of empowerment, bargaining power, institutionalisation and youth participation on small islands. It challenges the dominant top-down paradigm of development by advocating for governance models that prioritize inclusivity, participation, and local agency engagement. The findings also emphasise the interplay between grassroots action and external networks, illustrating how socially innovative practices can bridge local needs with broader policy frameworks. This research offers practical recommendations for policymakers, communities, and stakeholders. It advocates for participatory approaches to tourism planning, emphasising the importance of community-capacity-building initiatives and inclusive decision-making processes. It urges governments and investors to respect local knowledge, prioritise sustainability, and institutionalise collaborative governance practices. It especially underlines how young non-committed people can be a catalyst of change, stressing their ability to inspire creativity and support multidimensional alliances. Finally, this study provides a learning experience for sustainable governance in resource-deficient settings. By integrating community capacity building with socially innovative practices, it demonstrates how local actors can transform socio-ecological challenges into opportunities for sustainable goals of local development and transformation. The case of Pahawang Island illustrates the transformative power of bottom-linked governance, offering a roadmap for achieving equitable and sustainable outcomes in marginalised contexts globally.