62021TJ0733_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 21 February 2024 –Greenspider v Eismea
(Case T‑733/21) (
1
)
(Arbitration clause – Grant agreement concluded under the ‘Horizon 2020’ Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020) – Eligible costs – Debit note – Reimbursement of amounts paid)
1.
EU budget – EU financial assistance – Obligation on the beneficiary to comply with the conditions for grant of the assistance – Financing covering only expenses actually incurred – Demonstration that the costs have actually been incurred – Allocation of the burden of proof
(Art. 317 TFEU)
(see paragraphs 39-41, 43)
2.
Judicial proceedings – General Court seised under an arbitration clause – Grant agreement concluded under the ‘Horizon 2020’ Framework Programme for Research and Innovation – Refusal by the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (EASME) to consider as eligible costs certain sums paid to the beneficiary in respect of the implementation of the agreement – Claim for repayment of those sums – Challenge by the beneficiary of the scope of that repayment – No breach of the principles of good faith, good administration, legal certainty and legitimate expectations
(Art. 272 TFEU)
(see paragraphs 85, 89, 95, 105-109, 114, 117-120)
3.
EU budget – EU financial assistance – Obligation on the beneficiary to comply with the conditions for grant of the assistance – Financing covering only expenses actually incurred – Demonstration that the costs have actually been incurred – None – Breach of principle of proportionality – Absence
(Art. 317 TFEU)
(see paragraphs 88, 126-131)
4.
Fundamental rights – Charter of Fundamental Rights – Right to good administration – Scope
(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 41(1))
(see paragraph 102)
5.
EU law – Fundamental rights – General principles of EU law – Compliance by the EU institutions in connection with measures forming part of a contractual framework – Jurisdiction of the EU judicature – Need for an arbitration clause conferring such jurisdiction
(Arts 272 and 317 TFEU; Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 51(1))
(see paragraphs 103, 104)
6.
EU law – Principles – Protection of legitimate expectations – Conditions – Specific assurances given by the authorities
(see paragraphs 115, 116)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Greenspider GmbH to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 73, 14.2.2022.