ERR Case Study: A Volunteer-Led Step Challenge at Estonian Public Broadcasting

Do you need a dedicated wellness expert to run a successful wellness program? ERR (Eesti Rahvusringhääling), Estonian Public Broadcasting, shows that you do not. A couple of passionate colleagues launched a YuMuuv step challenge that drew 98 active participants, caught the attention of the media and brought together people who rarely work side by side. YuMuuv CEO Jakob Remmel spoke with organizers Kristel and Egle about how it went.

At a Glance

• Organization: ERR, Estonian Public Broadcasting – around 700 employees plus many freelancers
• Challenge: a one-month step challenge starting September 18
• Participants: 98 active participants
• Rewards: foot massage gift cards for everyone who passed 1 million steps, plus 20 prizes in a draw
• Led by: passionate volunteers, not wellness professionals

How It Started

Kristel's experience in volunteer organizations convinced her that a wellness challenge could have a positive impact at ERR. The opportunity came when her colleague Egle focused on health topics during an internship. Together they organized the challenge – proof that wellness at work needs passion more than a job title.

A Flying Start

The challenge started at midnight, and one participant had already walked 20,000 steps by 5 a.m. That early burst of enthusiasm set the tone. More colleagues joined over the following days, and the challenge even attracted media attention.

What Made It Work

1. Competing With Peers, Not Just the Top

Most participants were not chasing the top of the leaderboard. Instead, they competed with colleagues at a similar level, forming small groups and friendly rivalries between departments.

2. Rewards for Many, Not Few

Everyone who passed one million steps received a foot massage gift card, and 20 more prizes were drawn among participants. See the million steps challenge and what participants say about prizes.

3. New Connections

The challenge connected colleagues whose work rarely overlaps, building a sense of community across the organization.

4. A Fit for Every Life Stage

New parents found the challenge easy to combine with family life – stroller walks counted too.

Challenges and Feedback

• Syncing issues. Some participants had trouble syncing steps from their devices. The team discussed giving clearer guidance and timelines for syncing in future challenges.
• Different devices. Participants used everything from smartphones to smartwatches, which can create small differences in step counts.
• Privacy. Some participants asked for an "incognito mode" to hide their progress – a reminder to balance motivation and privacy.
• More variety. Participants suggested adding a cycling challenge next to the step challenge.

Results

The challenge motivated employees to put their health first, and many said they intended to keep their new habits after it ended. Kristel recommends wellness challenges to other organizations like ERR.

Key Takeaways for HR Teams

1. Find your champions. Passionate volunteers can run a great challenge. See how to improve wellness committee engagement.
2. Reward milestones, not just winners – a million-step goal plus a prize draw keeps everyone in the game.
3. Encourage small groups so people compete with peers at their own level.
4. Explain syncing clearly at the start to avoid frustration.
5. Offer variety next time – cycling, distance or sleep challenges.

More customer stories: case studies. Ready to start your own step challenge? See how to create a step challenge or book a demo.