This research provides a framework to evaluate participation processes and their contribution to citizen support for top-ups. The findings have illustrated how participation processes contribute to the support for top-ups by using a context-specific approach, adjusting the level of participation to the needs of both current and future residents, and combining both issue- and action-based activities. Additionally, it presents an overview of key social factors for top-ups, that moderate the influence of the participation process on the support for top-ups. By acknowledging the social domain in the decision-making of top-ups, it can guide future participation processes to be more inclusive and effective, accelerating the implementation of successful top-ups.