ESF - Reduction of financial assistance - Training schemes - Rights of the defence - Right to a fair hearing.

Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 10 December 2009 – Cofac v Commission (Case T-159/07) ESF – Reduction of financial assistance – Training schemes – Rights of the defence – Right to a fair hearing Social policy – European Social Fund – Financial assistance for vocational training – Decision to reduce assistance initially granted – Defence rights of beneficiaries – Scope (see paras 33-35, 37, 52) Re: ANNULMENT of Commission Decision D(2004) 24253 of 9 November 2004 reducing the amount of assistance granted to the applicant by the European Social Fund by Decision No C(87) 0860 of 30 April 1987 for training schemes (file No 870927 P1). Operative part The Court: 1. Dismisses the action; 2. Orders Cofac – Cooperativa de Formação e Animação Cultural, CRL to pay the costs.