Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 10 December 2009 – Cofac v Commission

(Case T-158/07)

ESF – Reduction in financial assistance – Training schemes – Rights of the defence – Right to be heard

Social policy – European Social Fund – Financial assistance for vocational training – Decision to reduce assistance initially granted – Defence rights of beneficiaries – Scope (see paras 35-37, 39, 54)

Re:

ACTION for annulment of Commission Decision D(2005) 13066 of 3 June 2005 reducing the amount of the financial assistance granted to the applicant by the European Social Fund (ESF) by Decision No C(88) 0831 of 29 April 1988 for training schemes (file No 880707 P1).

Operative part:

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Cofac – Cooperativa de Formação e Animação Cultural, CRL to pay the costs.